Distant Valor

by C.X. Moreau

Book Overview

Following in the footsteps of James Webb's "Fields of Fire", "Distant Valor" tells the powerful and dramatic story of the Marines' ill-fated mission to end the war for Lebanon. With the insight that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1937868613
• ISBN13: 9781937868611
• Release Date: April 2017
• Publisher: Ignition Books(r)
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

All Officers Must Read!!!

A superb book for any would-be leader. A must read for young Commissioned Officers in any branch. You must understand the conflicts an NCO experiences during your absence--the absence may be due to your missing character, your narcissism--your service academy notion that you are always indispensable. Officers are often their own impediment to effectiveness. The young NCO in "Distant Valor" is doing the best he can. The First Sergeant, who has the trust of the Officers, is out of control, and everyone looks the other way because of a few hashmarks. The Junior NCOs are left holding the bag. NO senior enlisted leadership other than a corrupt 1st sergeant and NO Officer leadership until after the fact. Ineffectual Officer Careerism is shown to be the Mortal Sin that is always is. The spit and polish of the Corps is there at long green table of a courts martial proceeding. While the Officers were busy crossing the "t's", no officer wanted the ugly job of backing down the moslem militia chieftain. Read this book and walk a mile in their boots. Put yourself in their shoes. Find out where you fit in this complex weave of characters and then re-evaluate. Where SHOULD you fit? Should your version of leadership change? What is more important? Your Men? Your Country, or your career? Find the Balance... What would Chesty do? What would one of those "potted palms" back at Division" do ?

An insightful tribute to the Marines who served in Beirut.

C. X. Moreau's book is a must read for all Marines--former and active duty--enlisted and OFFICERS! It is not just a story of the Marines' experience in Beirut, but an insightful view of the inner workings of the Corps. It explores the personal relationships between officers and enlisted Marines as well as those between senior staff NCO's and all of the other ranks. It is my opinion that Moreau is making a dynamic statement about the raw courage of the Marines with whom he served as well as voicing his frustration with some of the legitimate problems he encountered. His characters are set forth in an honest manner that not only shows their personal strengths and weaknesses but also provides an insightful view into the strengths and weaknesses of the Marine Corps system itself. This book should be utilized by each Marine for an in-depth objective review of his own current or past performance. I consider Moreau to be a patriotic and loyal Marine whose honesty has been provided for the benefit of today's Marines and a tribute to those courageous Marines with whom he served. Semper Fi, Moreau, from a former Marine officer whose respect you have thoroughly earned!

C.X. Moreau Doesn't Do Sugarcoating for the Brass!

Unlike many contemporary authors who have never served a day in the military and always write about officers, C.X. Moreau digs into the minds of the enlisted men serving in Beirut during the early 1980s. His description of the antics of a First Sergeant who is out of control is so real - only a former marine could truly relate. The real tragedy in the book is that the U.S. Embassy was bombed in April - why was that bombing not a huge red light for Marine Corps officers and the U.S. intelligence community? I was a little disappointed in Moreau's handling of the embassy incident. There are not just civilians in our embassies - the marine detachments and the Defense Attache Office are very much a part of most U.S. embassies. Overall, the book was excellent. Moreau was not grinding an ax, but telling it like it was. Hats off to a good read and semper fi from a former marine sgt.

C.X. Moreau tells it like it was, Semper Fi...

Distant Valor takes you to Beruit International Airport 1982-83, if you were their it conjures up feelings of loss, remorse and a deep dark need for revenge. Sgt. Griffin embodies all that is the career grunt, a need to prove himself in combat and defend the honor of the Corps. Cpl. downs is the sum of all young marines, trying to leave a past behind he is constantly reminded of the girl he loved. Not wanting to soil his memories of her with all the carnage he was now being exposed to he forces her into the the dark recesses of his mind so only he can access her. The warrior must learn to trust his young apprentice and deal with his own demons. faced with politics and 'Rules of Engagement" Sgt. Griffin makes a decision that would alter the Marine mission in Beruit and possibly end his career. From all non-coms thank you Mr. Moreau, your tell of war and honor has reminded me of what I loved and hated about my Marine Corps. This book reminds me that "it is better to die in the Corps. than live anywhere else" . Semper Fidelis........