Hal Moore: A Soldier Once...and Always (Leadership in Action) - Hardcover

Guardia, Mike

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1612002072 ISBN 13: 9781612002071

Publisher: Casemate, 2013

Synopsis

Finalist 2013 Army Historical Society Distinguished Writing Award.
Hal Moore, one of the most admired American combat leaders of the last 50 years, has until now been best known to the public for being portrayed by Mel Gibson in the movie "We Were Soldiers." In this first-ever, fully illustrated biography, we finally learn the full story of one of America's true military heroes.

A 1945 graduate of West Point, Moore's first combats occurred during the Korean War, where he fought in the battles of Old Baldy, T-Bone, and Pork Chop Hill. At the beginning of the Vietnam War, Moore commanded the 1st Battalion of the 7th Cavalry in the first full-fledged battle between U.S. and North Vietnamese regulars. Drastically outnumbered and nearly overrun, Moore led from the front, and though losing 79 soldiers, accounted for 1,200 of the enemy before the Communists withdrew. This Battle of Ia Drang pioneered the use of "air mobile infantry"--delivering troops into battle via helicopter--which became the staple of U.S. operations for the remainder of the war. He later wrote of his experiences in the best-selling book, We Were Soldiers Once...and Young.

Following his tour in Vietnam, he assumed command of the 7th Infantry Division, forward-stationed in South Korea, and in 1971, he took command of the Army Training Center at Fort Ord, California. In this capacity, he oversaw the US Army's transition from a conscript-based to an all-volunteer force. He retired as a Lieutenant General in 1977.

At this writing, Hal Moore is 90 years old and living quietly in Auburn, Alabama. He graciously allowed the author interviews and granted full access to his files and collection of letters, documents, and never-before-published photographs.

Mike Guardia, currently an officer in the U.S. 1st Armored Division is also author of two highly acclaimed biographies, American Guerrilla, about the life of the true founder of Special Forces, Russell Volckmann, and Shadow Commander, about the career of Donald Blackburn.

About this title

About the Author

Mike Guardia is a professional author and a six-year veteran of the United States Army.  He holds a B.A. and M.A. in American History from the University of Houston. 

Review

"This book brings the saga of one of the Army's premier combat commanders to a new generation of military leaders. We are in Hal Moore's debt for his distinguished service under the most challenging conditions. We are in Guardia's debt for making Moore's story accessible to the American public." -ARMY Magazine

"Simply stated, Hal Moore is an American treasure and military hero. In this biography by Mike Guardia, one of America's finest military historians, Moore's story is captured from his earliest days at West Point, through Korea, to the seminal moment of his Army life during the famed 1965 Battle of Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam. The book benefits greatly from Guardia's many interviews with Moore, his family, fellow soldiers and others who have known him through the years.

--Brian Sobel, author of "The Fighting Pattons"

"Guardia's honest recollections of his experiences in Viet Nam (both during the war and in 1993 when he returned to visit the men that three decades before were considered the enemy) are eye-openers."
-Statesman Journal

"The strategies, the nature of the enemy, whether or not real lasting success followed military or personal battles, always can be questioned. Hal Moore, through the focused eyes of author/tank unit commander Mike Guardia has a major impact on how we as a nation and as individuals see things militarily or otherwise."
-Joplin Independent

"In the well-written biography 'Hal Moore: A Soldier Once...and Always,' author Mike Guardia tells how Moore exemplifies the leadership qualities needed in all military leaders both in battle and in peacetime. It is a well-documented study of an exceptional soldier...it explores his knack for bringing out the best in his subordinates and for turning poor performing units into extraordinary organizations that became the envy of other commanders. This biography should be essential reading for every sergeant and officer in the military, and every executive in business." -MWSA

Edition details

• Publisher: Casemate
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1612002072
• ISBN 13: 9781612002071
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 232