"Dear Mouse, Saint, Tommy, Mike, Zeke, Moose, Frankie, Smitty, Scotty, CC, Give-A-Fuck, Dutch, Shifty, Jack, Scummer, Rock, Captain Bill, D', and all the flight crews and men of Marine Observation Squadron Three and Marine Observation Squadron One:

Well, guys, I finally wrote that book a lot of you said I should write. It's only twenty-six years late. That's more years than we were alive when we did all this stuff. The book didn't turn out quite the way I thought it would. Remember, Mike, when we used to talk about it in the coffee mess in New River? We thought it would just be a lot of war stories about what we did in Vietnam. Combat action, drinking action, shacking-up action-that kind of thing. Trouble is, I developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder along the way, and things didn't turn out quite so simple."  (Ron Zaczek, Farewell Darkness)

Scarface Brothers,

My wife & I just finished reading Ron Zaczek's book "Farewell Darkness". Ron was the VMO-3 Reunion coordinator this year. We met Ron & his wife Grace there in San Diego.

While Ron was in Phu Bai in 67-68 as a crew chief in UH-1E guns, and I was there in 68-69 as a pilot in UH-1E guns, I could relate to his stories like they were my memories.

This is a strong, moving book that tells it like it was. Don't read this book if you are trying to forget, because it helped me remember stuff I'd forgotten long ago. I found I couldn't put the book down.

If your library doesn't have this book, I strongly recommend you buy it yourself.

Thanks, Ron for your book.

Semper Fi,  

Peter

Farewell, Darkness, ISBN 1-55750-989-1, can be purchased via Amazon.com, ordered through Borders and Barnes and Noble Bookstores, or from the Naval Institute Press by calling 800-233-8764. (Amazon is usually the cheapest.)

The author will autograph copies that are mailed to him with return postage included. Send e-mail to Ron Zaczek at rzaczek@hotmail.com to obtain mailing instructions.

A word from the webmaster.

It has always been the intent, since the conception of the site to remain a totally non-commercial entity. Beholden to no one other than the members of this outstanding organization.  But this is one book that I personally endorse acting on behalf of all, I will take the heat and responsibility for this decision.  But I have read this outstanding work and encourage all to do the same.  It is history, it is a Marines story, it is fitting that it is here. Thanks Ron.

Let me know of other historical books, artwork or documents that are relevant and I will create a page on the site for them.

Semper Fi

 Brad Ryti bryti@scarface-usmc.org