It was late September 1967. It was just another ordinary morning and the chilled air from the night still lingered. Corporal Gene Cully settled down with his morning coffee and began his daily routine in Vietnam. In an instant, Cully found himself in the midst of one of the worst firefights near the DMZ, providing cover fire to help save wounded Marines without regard for his own safety. In Warrior Forgotten, Cully recalls the extraordinary accomplishments of Golf Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment during the firefight. For his heroic efforts, Cully was recommended for the Navy Cross, but never received this high military honor. After all these years, Cully still wonders about the missing documents concerning the recommendation and elusive medal. Cully was inspired to share his perspective of Vietnam because of the courageous, loyal, and dedicated men who sacrificed their lives so others could survive. Throughout the book, Cully draws parallels between his Native American culture and that of the Vietnamese people as he shares about his time in Vietnam. When Cully's service was up, he re-enlisted for another tour of duty, which eventually led to a career in the military. Cully retired with the rank of first sergeant after more than twenty-three years of honorable and faithful service. Cully and his wife, Maribeth, were married in 1991. They are happily retired and live in Texas.
About the Author: I was born October 17, 1945, in a small town called Konawa in the southeastern part of Oklahoma. I am from the Raccoon Clan with the Te' Wah' le Band of the Seminole Nation. My father was Seminole and my mother was Creek. Seminoles are part of the Muskogee peoples, a collection of Florida tribes that gathered together during the Spanish and English border wars beginning in 1816. My Native American Indian name is Chibon. The elders called me that, and in my native Creek language it translates to "boy." I am the fifth of seven children. I was 20 years old when I enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps. I was assigned to the Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment and served in Vietnam. After completing my tour of Vietnam in 1968, I was assigned to the Fifth Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California, as a management analyst. Less than a year later I was transferred to the First Marine Brigade in Hawaii. When my service was up I re-enlisted for another tour, which eventually led to a career in the military. I retired with the rank of first sergeant after more than twenty-three years of honorable and faithful service.