Marble Mountain Officers Club Annex

The story takes place during the closing years of the Vietnam war at a remote 'Top Secret' air base. The air base, located on a plateau overlooking the Mekong River, is home to a detachment of A4 Skyhawks, proto-type Marine Harriers, and helos. The natural conflict between unbridled jet jock egos and blue collar helo pilots competes with battle scenes for story-line marquee honors.

Four helicopter pilots and lifelong friends join the American war effort in Vietnam to help their country and maybe themselves and their post-military careers. A twist of their military fates delivers them to a secret military air base and fire base named the Marble Mountain Officers Club Annex by the pilots. Early in the Vietnam War the base supported CIA activity between North and South Vietnam and west through Laos and Cambodia to Thailand, in addition to, development of prototype weapons and technology. By the time the four FNG's arrive the war's end is near and the base is embroiled in the eventual collapse of the American involvement in Vietnam. The story involves only a few very long days and nights in the lives of four brand new helicopter pilots and one suspiciously beautiful Woman Marine Lieutenant. They face death in the middle of fanatical fire fights and suicidal flying missions, but in the Officer's Club, where the lessons of life, war, death, love and friendship are debated over ritual libations, they discovered the reality of the life they have chosen. Upon arrival at the air base the FNG's are immediately immersed in the ongoing battle of egos between the helicopter pilots and a detachment of jet pilots. Each night at the Officer's Club territories are staked out and defended. Verbal jousting gives way to free-for-alls and shoot-outs when one side gains or loses an advantage. The four-day adventure also includes combat helicopter inserts, an erotic overnight stop at Bangkok, a "jungle rules" motor-cross race, and two ground assaults by VC and NVA regulars. When the base is overrun they manage a heroic escape, but upon arrival at the real Marble Mountain Air Base their heroic deeds do not yield the pomp and ceremony they expect- they are scheduled for a court-martial. The author attempts to capture satire of "Catch-22" and the humor of "Mash" in another real life military story.

After yearsout of print, this new and redesigned book brings back the best and most complete history of the Women's Army Corps. Loaded with history, tables, charts, statistics, photos, personalities, and many useful appendices (including a history of WAC uniforms), The Women's Army Corps, 1945-1978 is must reading for anyone who served those years in the Army as well as for those who want a complete history of the modern-day military. Author Bettie Morden served from 1942-1972 and she used her experience and access to people and records to compile the definitive reference work. Col. Morden is a graduate of the WAC Officers' Advanced Course (1962); Command and General Staff College (1964); and the Army Management School (1965). She has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

The most comprehensive account to date of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon and aftermath, this volume includes unprecedented details on the impact on the Pentagon building and personnel and the scope of the rescue, recovery, and caregiving effort. It features 32 pages of photographs and more than a dozen diagrams and illustrations not previously available.

The buildup of American armies under General Eisenhower in the United Kingdom in preparation for the Normandy invasion and an account of how they were supplied during the first three months of operations on the Continent. Both volumes emphasize the influence of logistical support on the planning and conduct of combat operations by field armies.

This authoritative catalogue of the Corcoran Gallery of Art's renowned collection of pre-1945 American paintings will greatly enhance scholarly and public understanding of one of the finest and most important collections of historic American art in the world. Composed of more than 600 objects dating from 1740 to 1945.

"You can't really know the place where you live until you know the shapes and origins of the land around you. To feel truly at home in the Bay Area, read Doris Sloan's intriguing stories of this region's spectacular, quirky landscapes."—Hal Gilliam, author of Weather of the San Francisco Bay Region "This is a fascinating look at some of the world's most complex and engaging geology. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in an understanding of the beautiful landscape and dynamic geology of the Bay Area."—Mel Erskine, geological consultant "This accessible summary of San Francisco Bay Area geology is particularly timely. We are living in an age where we must deal with our impact on our environment and the impact of the environment on us. Earthquake hazards, and to a lesser extent landslide hazards, are well known, but the public also needs to be aware of other important engineering and environmental impacts and geologic resources. This book will allow Bay Area residents to make more intelligent decisions about the geological issues affecting their lives."—John Wakabayashi, geological consultant