We Were Soldiers Once... and Young

About “We Were Soldiers Once... and Young”

In 1993, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selected We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young as a required read for all Marines. The book recounts the 1965 battle in the Ia Drang Valley, where 450 men from the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped into a clearing and quickly surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, a nearby battalion was also destroyed. The book details how the soldiers endured extreme hardship, showing both sacrifice and resilience. General Moore and journalist Joseph Galloway interviewed soldiers and North Vietnamese commanders to create a detailed account of the battle. The story highlights the heroism and tragedy of war, offering a rare glimpse into the experiences of those who faced its ultimate challenge.