Gung Ho! The Corps' Most Progressive Tradition

This book is about the magnificent USMC Raiders of WWII. Partially following Maoist doctrine, their first contribution was a third fireteam in every squad, making it more capable of deception. Even after the Raiders were "guillotined" by the system in 1943, this change helped regular squads during the rest of the war. Raider influence then allowed the initial patrol up Suribachi on Iwo Jima. And 2/4--the direct descendent of 4th Raider Bn. used another Raider maneuver to finally take Sugar Loaf Complex on Okinawa. Even years later, it would be 3/4 and a former Raider general to come up with the Combined Action Platoon concept that almost won the Vietnam War. Ultimately, this book is about why America will always need a separate Marine Corps.