"...this book provides riveting details that help the reader to understand the type of fighting that took place during this period. It also provides background information on the service members whose accounts are contained within the book, which helps the reader to gain a simple understanding and personal connection with the interviewed subjects." — Military Review
During the April 2004 fights throughout Iraq, most media attention was focused on the city of Fallujah. However, at the same time, out on the border with Syria in and around the city of Husaybah, fighting was equally intense.
This book tells the story of that period through many first-person accounts of intense fighting in the town of Husaybah, Iraq, during. It is based on interviews with Marines at all levels of the fight, from battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Matt Lopez, USMC, to infantrymen and squad leaders. When the Lima Company commander Captain Richard Gannon (Call sign Lima 6) was killed on entry to an enemy-held building, the company’s executive officer, Lieutenant Dominique Neal (Lima 5) informed his Marines that he had assumed command with the radio message, “Lima 5 is now Lima 6.” It also details the heroic actions of Corporal Jason Dunham who saved the Marines around him by covering an enemy grenade with his body.
DEDICATION
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: THE FIGHT IN HUSAYBAH, APRIL 2004
Overview
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew A. Lopez, Commanding Officer 3/7
Trip to Al Qaim
Commander Edward W. Hessel, MD, USN, STP 4
Lance Corporal Jason A. Sanders, Kilo Company, 3/7
Corporal Kristopher E. Benson, CAAT Blue, Weapons, 3/7
Captain Bradford W. Tippett, Commanding Officer India Company, 3/7
Staff Sergeant Alexander A. Carlson, 3rd Platoon India Company, 3/7
Gunnery Sergeant Brian W. Eyestone, 5th Platoon, 1st Force Recon Company
Corporal Michael T. Phillips, 1st Combat Engineer Bn, Attached to 3/7
Lance Corporal Jerad A. Allen, C Company MPs, Attached to 3/7
Lance Corporal Daniel P. Baute C Company MPs, Attached to 3/7
Corporal Ryan D. Griffey, Truck Platoon, MHG, Attached to 3/7
CHAPTER 2 LIMA COMPANY 3/7 MARINES, Camp Husaybah
Convoy to Firm Base
Lance Corporal Daniel R. Johnston, 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3/7
Corporal Jason A. Lemcke, 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3/7
Lieutenant Bradley R. Watson, 3rd Platoon Commander, Lima Company, 3/7
HM3 Justin T. Purviance, USN, Senior Line Corpsman, Lima Company, 3/7
Captain Dominique B. Neal, Commanding Officer, 1st Platoon, Lima Company, 3/7
CHAPTER 3 FINAL INTERVIEWS WITH 3/7 MARINES AT CAMP AL QAIM
Return to Camp Al Qaim
1st Sergeant Michael J. Templeton, Kilo Company, 3/7
Lance Corporal Jonathon D. Stamper, 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3/7
Lance Corporal Brian M. Schultz, 4th Platoon, Kilo Company, 3/7
Colonel Craig A. Tucker, Commanding Officer
Regimental Combat Team 7 (RCT7)
Return to Camp Fallujah
FINAL THOUGHTS
GLOSSARY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
