WE WERE ONE

I have finished reading the book, "We Were One." It was excellent. Written by Patrick O'Donnell, an embedded reporter, and who, as the book cover says, was "Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah." Mr. O'Donnell has written three other books: Beyond Valor; Into the Rising Sun; and Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs.

Although, I believe it came out October 30th of this year, I was fortunate enough to receive, just recently, a complimentary advance reading copy (paperback) from Da Capo Press/Perseus Books, so I could read and review the book.

The book can be purchased online from: Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, BookSense.com, BordersStores.com, Buy.com, Hastings, Powells, and WalMart.

O'Donnell spent several weeks in combat with both the U.S. Army and Marine special units before joining the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (3/1). This unit would be one of the infantry units performing the initial frontal assault into the city of Fallujah. The 3/1, attacking from the north, "would play the crucial role of driving through the heart of the city's defenses, the Jolan neighborhood - and hooking west toward the Euphrates River - pushing the muji into a kill zone."

The battle of Fallujah's code name was Operation Phantom Fury and began November 7, 2004. Initially, in April of 2004, the Marines were ordered to take Fallujah. But because of poor, inaccurate reporting, and then international indignation, the Marines were ordered to pull out as the Iraqi leaders said they would diffuse the situation. For the next few months it continued to fester with Abu Musab al Zarqawi setting up shop and turning it into a terrorist base and training ground as well as a bomb making factory, while at the same time organizing suicide bombing missions.

That's when the marines were ordered to re-enter Fallujah, where this new generation of fighters labeled the "Next Greatest Generation" engaged in, perhaps, the most intense house-to-house fighting seen since WWII.

The book is stirring with its' gripping details of the fierce battles against a very determined and formidable foe, high on drugs and adrenaline; and at times, seemingly almost impossible to kill.

When it was over, there were 35 casualties from this platoon which included four Marines that were killed in action. The book centers around 8 Marine warriors, 4 pairs of friends, with each pair of men losing their best friend.

It is awe inspiring to read the story of brotherhood and sacrifice, and in some cases, the ultimate sacrifice. We cannot imagine what it is like. We'll never know unless we went through the whole experience ourselves from boot camp, to discovering your new best friend, to bonding with your brothers, to fighting hand-to-hand against your enemy, and seeing death up close, and in some case that of your best buddy. With that being said, O'Donnell does a fine job in trying to portray it, as best as it can be done, the commitment needed and the horrors of such an epic battle.

I highly recommend this book and encourage you to pick up a copy and read it for yourself.

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