Ruben Gallego's memoir, "They Called Us 'Lucky,'" is a powerful and searing account of his combat experience as a Marine in the Iraq War. The book details the struggles and successes of Ruben and his fellow Marines in Lima Company, including the recruitment of radicals by al Qaeda in Mesopotamia and the worst single-day loss for the Marines since the 1983 Beirut bombings. It also examines the complicated matter of PTSD and serves as a tribute to Ruben's fallen comrades.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 09 December 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

From the Arizona Congressman, a powerful and searing (PW) memoir of his combat experience as a Marine who served in the hardest-hit unit of the Iraq War. At first, they were "Lucky Lima." Infantryman Ruben Gallego and his brothers in Lima Company—3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, young men drawn from blue-collar towns, immigrant households, and Navajo reservations—returned unscathed on patrol after patrol through the increasingly violent al Anbar region of Iraq, looking for weapons caches and insurgents trying to destabilize the nascent Iraqi government. After two months in Iraq, Lima didn't have a casualty, not a single Purple Heart, no injury worse than a blister. "Lucky Lima." Then, in May 2005, Lima's fortunes flipped. Unknown to Ruben and his fellow grunts, al Anbar had recently become a haven for al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. The bin Laden-sponsored group had recruited radicals from all over the world for jihad against the Americans. On one fateful day, they were lured into a death house; the ambush cost the lives of two men, including a platoon sergeant. Two days later, Ruben's best friend, Jonathon Grant, died in an IED attack, along with several others. Events worsened from there. A disastrous operation in Haditha in August claimed the lives of thirteen Marines when an IED destroyed their amphibious vehicle. It was the worst single-day loss for the Marines since the 1983 Beirut bombings. By the time 3/25 went home in November, it had lost more men than any other single unit in the war. Forty-six Marines and two Navy Corpsmen serving with the battalion in Iraq were killed in action during their roughly nine-month activation. "They Called Us "Lucky" details Ruben Gallegos' journey and includes harrowing accounts of some of the wars most costly battles. It details the struggles and sacrifices of the men who served in the battalion, as well as the impact of the war on their families and communities. The book also explores the political and military decisions that led to the war and the ongoing consequences of the conflict. "They Called Us "Lucky" is a powerful and important book that sheds light on the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by those who serve. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the Iraq War and its lasting impact on our world.

From the Arizona Congressman, a powerful and searing (PW) memoir of his combat experience as a Marine who served in the hardest-hit unit of the Iraq War

At first, they were "Lucky Lima." Infantryman Ruben Gallego and his brothers in Lima Company—3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, young men drawn from blue-collar towns, immigrant households, and Navajo reservations—returned unscathed on patrol after patrol through the increasingly violent al Anbar region of Iraq, looking for weapons caches and insurgents trying to destabilize the nascent Iraqi government. After two months in Iraq, Lima didn't have a casualty, not a single Purple Heart, no injury worse than a blister. "Lucky Lima."

Then, in May 2005, Lima's fortunes flipped. Unknown to Ruben and his fellow grunts, al Anbar had recently become a haven for al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. The bin Laden-sponsored group had recruited radicals from all over the world for jihad against the Americans. On one fateful day, they were lured into a death house; the ambush cost the lives of two men, including a platoon sergeant. Two days later, Ruben's best friend, Jonathon Grant, died in an IED attack, along with several others. Events worsened from there. A disastrous operation in Haditha in August claimed the lives of thirteen Marines when an IED destroyed their amphibious vehicle. It was the worst single-day loss for the Marines since the 1983 Beirut bombings. By the time 3/25 went home in November, it had lost more men than any other single unit in the war. Forty-six Marines and two Navy Corpsmen serving with the battalion in Iraq were killed in action during their roughly nine-month activation. "They Called Us "Lucky" details Ruben Gallegos' journey and includes harrowing accounts of some of the wars most costly battles. It details the struggles and sacrifices of the men who served in the battalion, as well as the impact of the war on their families and communities. The book also explores the political and military decisions that led to the war and the ongoing consequences of the conflict. "They Called Us "Lucky" is a powerful and important book that sheds light on the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by those who serve. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the Iraq War and its lasting impact on our world.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 162 x 238 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780063045811