Overview

Event Horizon: A Marine's Vietnam War Story is the memoir of Terry Presgrove, recounting his time in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969, spanning from boot camp to his return home after the war. The narrative focuses on Operation Dewey Canyon, during which Presgrove served as the artillery forward observer for Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. This operation was the last major engagement by the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. The book offers an intimate look behind the veil of combat, providing a deeper understanding of the psychological toll of war on individual Marines. Presgrove describes this psychological impact as an ""event horizon-a concept borrowed from physics to describe a boundary in spacetime beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape. For combat Marines in Vietnam, and especially those involved in Operation Dewey Canyon, the term ""event horizon"" symbolizes the point of no return. It reflects the irreversible nature of their experiences, creating a paradox of ""Revolving Door"" memories that forever haunt and inspire them. This concept is explored in the fourth chapter of the book. In the concluding chapter, titled ""Unlearned Lessons of War,"" Presgrove critiques America's cyclical, self-defeating war policies. Despite the passage of more than four decades since the Vietnam War, he argues, many of the same mistakes continue to be made. The message of the book remains strikingly relevant today, as Presgrove addresses the ongoing consequences of misguided policies that trap the nation in a cycle of repeated mistakes. Finally, in Appendix A, Presgrove offers a spiritual message of hope to those who are wounded-both physically and emotionally-and struggling with their relationship to God. From veterans to the youngest among us, no one is immune to feelings of hopelessness and despair. This section serves as a reminder that healing, both spiritual and psychological, is possible.

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9781514279519

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