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≡ Download Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark

Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark



Download As PDF : Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark

Download PDF  Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark

Shawn McClellan was part of a fierce, tight group-a platoon of fewer than twenty United States Marines. A machine gunner deep in the Vietnam bush, Shawn fought and won battles with no names, and watched brave friends give the ultimate sacrifice. Death chased him. Rain, leeches, and malaria sapped his strength. And back home in an ungrateful country, right and wrong were decided by what was easiest. Prayer was his last refuge, but it was hardest of all.

Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark

I've read Johnnie Clark's first book, "Guns-Up" maybe about twenty years ago and loved it and was surprised when I saw "Semper Fidelis" offered by the same author and quickly downloaded it. I wasn't disappointed!

This is a story about three high-school friends who join the Marines on the buddy plan right after graduation. It's 1967 and Shawn is the main character. All three end up in Vietnam, in fact, Shawn and Luke went to the same squad in the 5th Marines and were quickly assigned as the Machine gunner and assistant. Their other friend, Joe went to another unit.

Right from the start, both are alienated and basically ignored by their fellow squad members and it didn't take long before the call for "guns-up" echoed through the line of soldiers when the enemy was spotted. Shawn was quite religious and soon befriended the division chaplain. The platoon is guided by a North American Indian sergeant referred as "The Chief" and a formidable lieutenant as they hump endlessly through the jungles looking for the elusive enemy. The author's writing made me feel as if I was right there with the platoon - characters are well developed and readers will chose their favorites as time goes on. As the lunar New Year (TET) arrived, readers follow the platoon to Hue where they participate in house-to-house fighting and learn of the atrocities by the communists.

After six months, the three friends meet in Australia for R&R that doesn't work out quite the way they intended. Nevertheless, they all return to Vietnam refreshed and renewed for the second half of their tour. It is a difficult time for all of them - they've already been wounded twice and one more time was an automatic trip out of the war. However, their exit may not be as they hoped. They patrol through the An Hoa Valley, Khe Sahn, Phu Bai, and finally in the "Arizona Territory" for a showdown at "Dodge City" where firefights become the norm every day and night.

Johnnie Clark also shows readers what it was like when veterans returned from Vietnam. Protestors met the Marines upon their arrival in the U.S. - shocking most as they were blamed for everything that happened during the war. It was an extremely difficult time for all. This is a book that everyone should read to get an understanding of what these young men experienced and the sacrifices they endured.

Johnnie Clark - thank you for this story...thank you for your service...Welcome Home!

John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"

Product details

  • File Size 726 KB
  • Print Length 384 pages
  • Publisher CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 17, 2012)
  • Publication Date September 17, 2012
  • Sold by  Digital Services LLC
  • Language English
  • ASIN B009CZYH3U

Read  Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark

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Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark Reviews


This book came as close to describing the reality of the events that confronted our soldiers in VietNam, and those that continue to confront our military in combat (and near combat) zones. It is difficult to effectively and accurately describe the gamut of emotions that combat gives rise to; and it is amazing that the author has made this a good read, with action, "romance," and insight into a variety of cultural issues. If you want a book that is "not dry," but that is not so shallow that the reader comes away with a feeling of "it was decent entertainment but not very impactful," this is a book you should read.
Semper Fidelis does a good job of capturing what life was like in the Marine Corps Infantry during a particularly "hot" time in Viet Nam. My own service there overlapped that of the storyline, so I am aware of some of the situations written about although I served in the area (II Corps) south of the (I Corps) area in which Marine units were deployed. The book accurately depicts the trials of "grunts" who always carry the heaviest burdens of any war. It speaks of their initiation to hostile fire, their maturation, under fire, from boys into men, and it shows how closely they become "attached" to each other in their co-dependency to survive the horrors of war. The book also captures that regrettable, sad, shameful and painful time in our history when Viet Nam vets returned home only to find themselves being rejected, and abused by an American populace more concerned about its own indifference and not caring, in the least, for those who had borne such heavy burdens that war imposes. It was a sad time in our history when our military was not allowed to fully assert itself on the battlefield, while civilian leadership showed no interest or competency of pursuing victory on the battlefield, and then capitulated in the political arena.
I have to admire what the author Johnnie M. Clark has accomplished with this book, even if it wasn’t a quick read for me. Unlike Ludlum or Wouk novels that suck me in and don’t let me come up for air until I finish, I picked this one up a little here, a little there, until finally finishing. It took a while to feel like the characters were at all round or the plot and dialogue were compelling. But after finishing the story, I feel that it was worth the read, and I appreciate the clean approach the author took in telling a war story one that isn’t tainted by gratuitous sex, violence, or cursing. That is a difficult feat to manage, but he pulled it off.

Also, the religious theme—though not heavy handed—was worked into the story with appropriate closure. I never felt that the story was preachy, though it is obvious that the main character is very much a Boy Scout in the beginning and the story is about his spiritual trials and journey as much as anything.

This isn’t a book that I will reread in another ten years as I do with many of my favorites, but I am glad that I finished it all the same.
This book is one of the finest books I have read in a long , long time. The action keep you going but the spiritual battle is even more riveting.
I would like to thank my brother in Christ for His service to our country and our Lord Jesus. It probably doesn't make a difference but I would like to apologize for all ungrateful people who checked our Vets.
Thanks again.
Semper Fi made me remember what it is like to be a Marine. Over the years, pain had replaced the pride I had at being one of the few. Some of the terminology was off. AWOL is an Army term. UA or Unauthorized Absence is a Marine Corps term. Other than a few misplaced things, this is a truly great book. Semper Fi.
I've read Johnnie Clark's first book, "Guns-Up" maybe about twenty years ago and loved it and was surprised when I saw "Semper Fidelis" offered by the same author and quickly downloaded it. I wasn't disappointed!

This is a story about three high-school friends who join the Marines on the buddy plan right after graduation. It's 1967 and Shawn is the main character. All three end up in Vietnam, in fact, Shawn and Luke went to the same squad in the 5th Marines and were quickly assigned as the Machine gunner and assistant. Their other friend, Joe went to another unit.

Right from the start, both are alienated and basically ignored by their fellow squad members and it didn't take long before the call for "guns-up" echoed through the line of soldiers when the enemy was spotted. Shawn was quite religious and soon befriended the division chaplain. The platoon is guided by a North American Indian sergeant referred as "The Chief" and a formidable lieutenant as they hump endlessly through the jungles looking for the elusive enemy. The author's writing made me feel as if I was right there with the platoon - characters are well developed and readers will chose their favorites as time goes on. As the lunar New Year (TET) arrived, readers follow the platoon to Hue where they participate in house-to-house fighting and learn of the atrocities by the communists.

After six months, the three friends meet in Australia for R&R that doesn't work out quite the way they intended. Nevertheless, they all return to Vietnam refreshed and renewed for the second half of their tour. It is a difficult time for all of them - they've already been wounded twice and one more time was an automatic trip out of the war. However, their exit may not be as they hoped. They patrol through the An Hoa Valley, Khe Sahn, Phu Bai, and finally in the "Arizona Territory" for a showdown at "Dodge City" where firefights become the norm every day and night.

Johnnie Clark also shows readers what it was like when veterans returned from Vietnam. Protestors met the Marines upon their arrival in the U.S. - shocking most as they were blamed for everything that happened during the war. It was an extremely difficult time for all. This is a book that everyone should read to get an understanding of what these young men experienced and the sacrifices they endured.

Johnnie Clark - thank you for this story...thank you for your service...Welcome Home!

John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"
Ebook PDF  Semper Fidelis eBook Johnnie M Clark

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