Gunner's Blog

"Blood Stripes: The Grunt's View of the War in Iraq" by David J. Danelo

Review by Charles Mitchell

Release Date: May 10, 2006

grunt: [noun] (1) a deep, short throaty sound (2) a U.S. Army or Marine foot soldier (3) one who routinely does unglamorous work.

The above definition opens the prologue of this intense "blood and bones" account of the deployment of a US Marine Corps infantry unit through their preparation and deployment from February through August of 2004.

The author delves into the "spiritual energy" required of modern "Spartan Way" warriors. This encompasses the "reconciling of the twin yin/yang cultural precepts of Order and Disorder" of mortal combat. Major General James "Mad Dog" Mattis, a "Marines Marine" gave pep talks to all USMC units upon arriving in Iraq during his tenure as 1^st Marine Division Commander. MG Mattis uses a quote of General George Marshall of WWII fame on the subject: "Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars."

The heroes are the lower military pay grades with the limelight on the Sergeants, Corporals, and Lance Corporals of a combat US Marine Infantry platoon. Danelo includes a prologue that includes short biographies of the characters, and an epilog of their current situations.

The intensity of urban combat pervades this account of the men and officers involved. The compelling, gritty, profane, coarse "grunt" language, "in your face" attitudes regarding the "Muj" insurgents are contrasted with the tenderness of the encounters with the "hajji" children and citizenry. The accounts of casualties are handled with sensitivity and compassion for the next of kin (NOK) of the fallen Marines.

The author, is a US Naval Academy graduate, and held the rank of Captain, USMC in Iraq during the period of this account. His command of the English language is well above average, a true "wordsmith". I became aware of him through his emails home that were forwarded to me. I sought his permission, which he granted and I posted his emails on my blog. The emails were riveting, as is "Blood Stripes."

Charles F. Mitchell, CWO3 (Ret.)

~G:

See: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0811701646/

This book would make a great Father's Day gift on June 18.