On July 2, 1967, Bravo Company walked into a U-shaped ambush near Con Thien in Vietnam. This company of Marines showed tremendous courage against
unbelievable odds as they spent hours fighting for their own lives and the
lives of their fellow Marines. They were trapped and penned down in what
looked to be a hopeless and helpless situation, but they refused to give up.
Later in the day when the tanks finally rolled in, only twenty-six men had
survived. That day changed their lives forever.
Derl Horn shares an exciting, powerful, and true story of his memories of
being drafted into the Marine Corps during the height of the Vietnam War.
From the moment the drill instructor slammed the bus door shut at the San
Diego airport as a recruit to fighting on the war torn battlefields of
Vietnam, he shares his struggles, the horrors of war, the support of family
and friends, and the stabilizing power of his faith in God.
VOICES FROM HIS GENERATION
From those who were there.
“Corporal Derl Horn's description of the action is accurate and leads the reader to feel he was actually there with Bravo Company. His use of comments by others who fought side by side presents other dimensions and unique perspectives of others who participated in the Operation. I found his letter to his wife, Marilyn, which described the battle to be particularly poignant.”
E.S. Lawbaugh, Lt. Col. USMC (Retired)
Two tours in Vietnam, 1965 with 2/12 Marines; 1969–70 with 5th and 7th Comm. Btns.
“I saw Derl on July 2nd 1967 when his company had been overrun and nearly annihilated. We were helelifted in and I popped out of a break in a hedgerow onto a trail and there were the remnants of Bravo with Derl among them. His eyes were as big as tea cup saucers and the story goes on from there.”
Tim Haley, Corporal (E4), Section Leader for 60mm mortars
Charlie Company 1/9, 3rd Marine Division, "The Walking Dead," Vietnam 1967–68
“Like the vast majority of the members of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines Derl had no idea concerning what was about to happen when he left Con Thien on patrol north of the McNamara's Strip. Little could he know that he was about to enter a life and death struggle in which far too many Marines and Hospital Corpsmen would lose their lives. It was a personal ‘win’ to survive July 2, 1967.”
Jon R. Vandercook, Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) E4
Vietnam 1967–68, "The Walking Dead," Retired as Commander (0-5) Naval Reserves 2007
READERS & REVIEWERS
A story that stays with people.
★★★★★82% five-starOf 138 global ratings on AmazonChecked September 12, 2026Read Amazon reviews ↗
“Having served with Derl I can attest to his bravery as well as his experiences.”
