They Called Us ""Lucky""

The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit

De: Ruben Gallego, Jim DeFelice

Narrado por: Ruben Gallego, Stephen Graybill

From the Arizona Congressman, a 21st-century Band of Brothers chronicling the eternal bonds forged between the Marines of Lima Company, the hardest-hit unit of the Iraq War.

At first, they were “Lucky Lima”. Infantryman Ruben Gallego and his brothers in Lima Company—3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, young men drawn from blue-collar towns, immigrant households, Navajo reservations—returned unscathed on patrol after patrol through the increasingly violent al Anbar region of Iraq, looking for weapons caches and insurgents trying to destabilize the nascent Iraqi government. After two months in Iraq, Lima didn't have a casualty, not a single Purple Heart, no injury worse than a blister. Lucky Lima.

Then, in May 2005, Lima’s fortunes flipped. Unknown to Ruben and his fellow grunts, al Anbar had recently become a haven for al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. The bin Laden-sponsored group had recruited radicals from all over the world for jihad against the Americans. On one fateful day, they were lured into a death house; the ambush cost the lives of two men, including a platoon sergeant. Two days later, Ruben’s best friend, Jonathon Grant, died in an IED attack, along with several others. Events worsened from there. A disastrous operation in Haditha in August claimed the lives of 13 Marines when an IED destroyed their amphibious vehicle. It was the worst single-day loss for the Marines since the 1983 Beirut bombings. By the time 3/25 went home in November, it had lost more men than any other single unit in the war. Forty-six Marines and two Navy Corpsmen serving with the battalion in Iraq were killed in action during their roughly nine-month activation.

They Called Us “Lucky” details Ruben Gallego’s journey and includes harrowing accounts of some of the war’s most costly battles. It details the struggles and the successes of Ruben—now a member of Congress—and the rest of Lima Company following Iraq, examining the complicated matter of PTSD. And it serves as a tribute to Ruben’s fallen comrades, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

©2021 Ruben Gallego and Jim DeFelice (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Important read for all

I really enjoyed Ruben’s story of himself and our military. He is an example of someone who pulled himself up by his bootstraps but he also knows compassion for folks that have little options for success. His reading the story kept me listening, long past my daily dose. He has a strong voice with a nice cadence. He and Lima Company suffered horrible losses which should never be forgotten.

I don’t see this as a political read but administrations made mistakes in Iraq given our long war. Politicians do need to think of the men and women who give all for this country. Families of the Fallen receive so little attention. This book would be a good read for anyone who wants to serve. Especially high schoolers. It also would be good for a civilian working with the military. I am going to buy a hard copy for my library.

Must Read for Veterans

This book is a must read for Veterans and particularly for anyone considering joining the service. The Congressman does an excellent job of relaying the chaos, terror, strength, and pride involved with combat service, and an incredible job of describing the symptoms many Veterans face with PTSD, many of which are little discussed. I feel anyone aspiring to join the military, especially in a combat arms capacity, would greatly benefit from reading this book, to better understand the reality of their decision and the potentially life long repercussions of that decision. Amazing book, read by the author. As a Veteran myself, it made me feel less alone

Lima 3/25

This subject, Lima Company 325 is held near to my heart. A young man that I know was apart of this unit. He came home to his loving family unlike many of his Marine brothers. He is my hero!! The story was told well, my heart breaks for all the families that lost a child, a husband, brother or grandchild. However, the story was spoiled by current issues in the past year, such as the election. I thought it was about Lima Company, not Biden and Trump, i.e. politics. Sorry you didn't stick to the subject.

Thank you!

They are humans who had to work for their country and do things that others don't dare. What I liked most was the end, they did what they had to do! his work!

A heroic story humbly told!

I suspect Representative Gallego would most desire that we simply regard him a good Marine. I am happy to oblige, speaking for myself. That said, I would add good American at a time when our domestic politics are chaotic and frightening, even terrifying. Whether we collectively know it or not, the future of this great country rests on his shoulders and those who share his values and integrity.

Story grabs your attention

Listen to the whole book in a day. Wish there was more books written like this.

Soulful writing and a vulnerable performance

I easily imagined talking side by side with the author about his life story, and felt honored to hear stories of his personal losses. I valued his perspective as a hard working Lcpl, a rare perspective one seldom has access to. A great option for a guided book club, discussing loss, military to civil transitions, a focus on military familys, mental health in the military and USMC History.

Semper Fi

These were the days that forged young Americans in the crucible of fire. These men and women are the definition of what American patriotism is. Thank you to all who served and are currently serving. God bless you and the United States of America. Semper Fi do or die!

Finally got the truth!

For years no one ever knew what really happened Aug 3 2005 to the boys of 3/25, that IED explosion changed the lives of every single friend and family of those marines, and all they would say is it was an ied, finally a marine telling us how it was and how he felt about leadership and lack of the right equipment is a much needed truth.

Intense Self Account Descriptions

A very intense account of combat operations in Iraq of Lima Company 3d Marines, 25th Batallion Marines. These Gentlemen are the epitome of fighting through the Pain of losing fellow Marines.