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Hi Folks!

A old board member, Oscar E. (Ed) Gilbert, newest book is finally out! "Marine Corps Tank Battles in Vietnam". For those who don't know Ed, his has written a couple of books about Marine Corps Tankers. I just received my copy Saturday and would recommend all of his books for those who are interested in USMC history and this one for those who are interested in Vietnam history.

We had an earlier thread about Ed's book back in January (I think). The book was scheduled for release around the first of the year with a cover that has pictures of US Army M113s on it. I am guessing the publisher somehow heard about the cover having the wrong pictures and delayed release while it was redone. For those who have time to read, enjoy!


To Ed (hope you are still lurking here), THANK YOU SIR! I am looking forward to your next book about Marine Tankers.

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out!

P.S.
For those who would like to look for it, the ISBN is:
978-1-932033-66-3

I have the first two. Guess this one will be my next book purchase!

Already got it on order.

Not so much lurking as every time I got my head above water, it got pushed back under by the security system. I don't post much anyway though.

Publishing seems to be a businesss with pretty flexible schedules. The problem with the cover was that amazon and barnesandnoble.com want sample covers long before the book is ever completed - much less printed. The artists just does a mockup from available info. Anyway, it's out for sale.

One error is that the tanker who plugged the LT's sucking chest wound in the Hwy 9 ambush was actually Greg Martin, and he used the plastic bag he used to keep his wallet dry, stuffing it into the hole. The other participants had his name wrong, since he was usually not on the tank, the platoon shitfister riding in that slot.

Such are the perils of writing oral history.

If of any interest, other stuff new this year are:

www.ospreypublishing.c...95~ser=WAR

which covers the Army code talkers as well as debunking the BS in "Windtalkers"

and for a real change of pace:

www.amazon.com/Frontie...204&sr=1-1

which covers the Tennessee militia in the crucial but overlooked Creek War and the Battle of New Orleans (even more "popular history" BS and myth). This latter is one I've wanted to do for years.

Ed Gilbert

Ed used a term that I remember hearing a number of times, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it meant. "Shitfister" Can anyone help me? Google doesn't have it as it applies to the military. Sorry to hijack this thread. Oh, and Mr. Gilbert, I enjoyed your other books, thanks for the links to the Osprey books. The militia one looks good!

a mechanic

Hi, Tanklord:

The only reference to the term "Shitfister" I recollect is from my twenty plus years in Naval shipyards here on the West Coast, and all it meant was a derogatory term for "SHIPFITTER". Easy enough to say in a Yard, but what it means in a tank context eludes me.

But if Ed Gilbert says it, take it to the bank, brother, because it means something to him. Kind of like "Penis Machinist" and "Dicksmith" refer to Naval proclivities for nicknaming ratings other than one's own.

Russ