Silk Chutes and Hard Fighting: U. S. Marine Corps Parachute Units in World War II is a brief narrative of the development, deployment, and eventual demise of Marine parachute units during World War II. It is published to honor the veterans of these special units and for the information of those interested in Marine parachutists and the events in which they participated.

The United States Marine Corps is the largest such force on the planet, and yet it is the smallest, most elite section of the U.S. military, one with a long and storied history. This classic 1940 official government report, created by the Corps, laid the groundwork for the "small wars" fought by the United States in the post-World War II era, and has been used to strategize the American occupation of Iraq in the early 21st century. What is a small war? What is the nature of operations for such a conflict? What kind of staffing does a small war require? What logistical and training issues need to be taken into account? What is the importance of neutral zones? How do tactics differ in a small war? How should an occupying force disarm a civilian population? and moreMilitary buffs, wargamers, and anyone seeking to understand fundamental military strategy will find this a fascinating and informative document.

As the most elite section of the United States military, the U.S. Marine Corps takes on the vital job of guarding American embassies around the planet, including those in the world's hotspots. In this concise guide, distributed to all Marines serving overseas, discover how this highly trained force deals with the constant threat of terrorism. Discover: . the types of attacks Marines can expect, from bombings and kidnappings to hijackings and cyberterrorism . who terrorists are and how they operate . tips for protecting oneself and reducing the likelihood of being targeted by terrorists . special precautions for children . how to harden your home and vehicles against attack . what to do when traveling to protect oneself . how to survive as a hostage . and much, much more. Military buffs, wargamers, readers of espionage thrillers, those seeking to protect themselves from terrorism, and anyone looking to understand how American armed services operate in the ever-changing arena of modern warfare will find this a fascinating and informative document.