Memories of an Old Marine

Nearly 50 years ago, as a young man, Calvin Rhett Holley joined the United States Marines Corp. He trained as a combat Marine and was sent to Vietnam where he rose to the rank of sergeant, becoming a squad leader with the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. His unit would also become one of the most highly decorated Marine battalions during the Vietnam conflict and they would encounter some of the deadliest fighting which would lead up to the Tet Offensive in 1968. Sgt. Holley would earn 3 Purple Hearts and numerous other decorations during his tour of duty. After returning home he spoke very little about his experiences and proceeded to build a successful life and family in the ensuing years. This book is meant to be a memoir to his family and grandchildren that chronicles his experiences beginning with when he first joined the service. A number of books have been written about the battles that Sgt. Holley fought in, especially the pivotal fights that took place at the Churchyard and Hill 48 in September of 1967, but rarely do readers have the opportunity to be able to see these events through the eyes of an individual combat Marine who tells us about the training and experiences that lead him to those historical battles. This story was written for his grandchildren and for those of us who would like to know.