Lullabies for Lieutenants

Mirroring the chaotic nature of the American experience at war in Vietnam, this memoir recounts the experiences of a young Marine Corps officer in a series of unrelated short pieces. The flow of the narrative is as ephemeral and fragmented as the war itself. The only resolution is the same one reached by the Marines who fought- an ending of a tour of duty with no happy ending. Each chapter describes a specific event, a story of emotion, or a remarkable person (some are heroes, some are cowards, most are tragic). The reader lives the experience alongside the author's memory, gaining a true sense of the pulse-pounding contact, surrealism, pathos, humor, and beauty that defined one of the low points of the American experience.

"powerful...recommended...incredible...required reading"--Military Writers Society of America; "a fine job...evocative addition...a compelling read"--Vietnam Magazine; "gripping...striking...paints a clear picture"--Phoenix Military History Examiner; "Strong, spot-on, and impressive...a dramatic look back at what we experienced as young combat warriors. Cox hits the wave tops of the emotions, fear, challenges, hardships, and personal and professional achievements we now look back and reflect upon. Bravo Zulu, well done!"--H.C. "Barney" Barnum, Colonel of Marines (Ret.) and Medal of Honor Recipient-Vietnam; "capture[s] the young Marine warrior: his thoughts, his emotions, his experiences, and the pride that binds him to his brother Marine."--Ron Christmas, Lieutenant General, USMC (Ret.), President & CEO, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation; "The ethos of Marines in battle has never been captured better. Franklin Cox is the new balladeer of the USMC."--Robert Coram, author of Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War.

Franklin Cox is CEO of Pecan Productions Studios, Inc. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.