About Marines of the Korean War

As a young man in his twenties, the author, Burton F. Anderson, graduated with majors in English and Education for both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. After his Korean War experiences, he sought the expertise to write about them. Aerospace, however, became his vocation. And, after this lifetime career, he retired.

Now, he was free to do with his life whatever he chose. And, he chose to write this book--an opportunity sought for over 40 years.

In June 1950, the North Koreans thrust over the 38th parallel into South Korea to launch the “Forgotten War.” It was a call to arms for young men who sought the heroics of World War II soldiers in far-away places and thought that these experiences had passed them by. With fervor a few young men joined the United States Marine Corps.

Six months later they were Marines in combat. This was their rite-of-passage; their boy-to-manhood story; their maturity.

An ancient Marine Corps axiom maintains: Once a Marine, always a Marine. The sentiment has something to do with pride, and honor and a mystical brotherhood. But, more than this, it is spirit... the spirit of the Corps... to fight and die because we are Marines!

This story is about that.