A true Vietnam War saga based on 50 interviews with veterans who were there and relatives of those who didn’t come home. Winner of the 2023 PenCraft Book of the Year Award for Best Nonfiction “I served in Vietnam and reading Swift Sword is as close as you can get to reliving the terror of personal combat without actually being there.” - Larry D., Vietnam Veteran Monday, September 4, 1967… Eyes peeled and moving quietly, Lance Corporal Jack Swan led 164 of his fellow US Marines from Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, Fifth Marines over the face of a bare, rocky knoll deep in the Que Son Valley of South Vietnam. The men knew every step could be booby-trapped and the enemy might be hiding behind any bush. Carrying unreliable M16 rifles that often malfunctioned, their job was to rescue an isolated company of fellow leathernecks besieged by the Communist North Vietnamese Army. The sight of a serene, shrub-covered rice paddy greeted the Americans as they crested the knoll. “Too serene,” Swan thought as a bush quivered in the corner of his eye. “I think that bush just moved," he whispered to his squad leader. "If it moves again, shoot it!" The shrub moved, Swan fired, and the bush went down. Then, all hell broke loose… A hailstorm of rocket-propelled grenades, thundering mortars, and AK-47 machine-gun fire strafed the exposed men from all directions. The Marines of Mike Company had walked into an ambush laid by over 2,500 well-camouflaged North Vietnamese warriors. It seemed as if the Angel of Death was swooping down upon the Americans like a swift sword. Instead of rescuing their fellow comrades, the Marines now faced complete annihilation. Outnumbered, out-gunned, and exposed, there was nowhere to hide. Would any of them survive to see the setting sun? Read Swift Sword , a true Vietnam War story of epic courage and brotherhood in the face of insurmountable odds that will leave you on the edge of your seat. They never gave up. We should never forget. "Filled with acts of desperation and heroism, Swift Sword covers a military group's struggle for survival during the Vietnam War. With immersive details and authentic tones, Doyle Glass brings to life a fierce engagement that conveys the frantic situations the Marines endured, making it a compelling and exciting history book." —Clarion Reviews (5 out of 5) "In Swift Sword , masterful storyteller Doyle Glass expertly transports readers into the chaos of Operation Swift in Vietnam. Through vivid narratives and first-hand testimonies, Glass captures the profound trials and resilience of the Marines during a devastating ambush. A remarkable testament to meticulous research and dedication to honoring war veterans." — Literary Titan "In Swift Sword , readers are taken on an in-depth journey into a specific battle in Vietnam, revealing eye-opening details and firsthand accounts from the soldiers who fought. The book provides a comprehensive and enlightening perspective, capturing the realities of war and the aftermath faced by those who served." —The Book Sage Doyle Glass is a historian and author known for his vivid, true accounts of military courage. His books, including Lions of Medina and Swift Sword, chronicle the harrowing experiences of Marines in Vietnam. Through meticulous research and firsthand interviews, Doyle brings history to life, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought. He resides in Dallas, Texas, where he continues to write and explore pivotal moments in history.