About
About the Author
Christy W. Sauro Jr., a former Marine Corps Sergeant, was a member of the Twins Platoon. He served in Vietnam from December 1967 to January 1969. After being honorably discharged in 1970, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Technology degree from Northwest Missouri State University. He had a successful career as an insurance agent for Country Financial and retired after forty-seven years. Sauro and his wife have three children and three grandchildren and live in North Branch, Minnesota.
About the book
In early June 1967, Marine Corps recruits from Minneapolis-St. Paul and outlying Minnesota received a letter stating all those scheduled for active duty in June would go as one platoon on June 28, 1967. One hundred fifty Marine applicants would be shipped to San Diego, California, to the recruit training depot. The Minnesota Twins baseball team was sponsoring the unit. They were sworn in on television at a pregame ceremony and were guests of the Twins at the game. By the end of the fourth inning, the recruits were hustled to buses whisking them to the Wold-Chamberlain Field Airport, and they flew to San Diego. Before dawn the next day, the Twins Platoon met their drill sergeants at the receiving barracks of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. By the end of the year, the Marines were in Vietnam sprinkled across the length and breadth of the Marine Corps operating areas of I Corps, the northernmost part of South Vietnam where they experienced some of the toughest combat of the war. Khe Sanh and Hue City were just a few of the hot spots they encountered as the 1968 TET Offensive rolled across the country. Not all members of the Twins Platoon came home in one piece. Some did not come home at all. In The Legacy of the Twins Platoon, author Christy Sauro Jr. tells their complete stories from baseball to combat and their lifelong readjustment to civilian life.
Praise for the Legacy of the Twins Platoon
General David H. Berger, USMC (Ret), 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 2018 to 2023 He served during Operation Desert Storm, was deployed to Kosovo, Afghanistan, Haiti, and to Iraq. As Marine Commandant, he developed and began implementing Force Design 2030 to prepare for competition between the United States and China. He served as a Company Commander and Battalion Operations Officer in 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation Desert Storm. He commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed to Afghanistan as the Commanding General of 1st Marine Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is highly decorated with a lengthy list of awards and medals, which includes the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Combat V, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star.
"Real life events occur in strange ways, filled with odd twists and improbabilities that turn the seemingly impossible into a reality." This sets the tone for this powerful and insightful book. In telling the story of the Twins Platoon, Christy W. Sauro Jr. brought the reader into the Marine's world. In the follow-on book, he picks up on the trail of more Marines who fought for their country, returned home from Vietnam to a nation that not only did not welcome them back – but in fact blamed them for simply doing their patriotic duty. Sauro does not hold back, either, in highlighting both triumph and tragedy for these heroes of Minnesota and their families. I hope our policymakers read Sauro's account and consider the life-changing impacts of sending our very finest off to war. The author has done a fantastic job of honoring these great Americans by telling their stories – their complete stories. A lot can be learned by reading this exceptional and memorable book. "The Legacy of the Twins Platoon" is a book that I would highly recommend people read.
Major General James E. Livingston, MOH, United States Marine Corps (Ret.) He is highly decorated with a lengthy list of awards and medals, which includes the Medal of Honor, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Award, Bronze Star with combat V, three Purple Hearts, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. He is the subject of the book "Noble Warrior: The story of Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston.
"The additional stories Sauro has included in his new book are intense and well worth reading. Reading about a personal story of service is always inspiring, but a story about a group of young Americans and their willingness to serve their country in time of war is exceptionally inspiring. As a retired Marine Corps Major General and recipient of the Medal of Honor, I know something about men in combat. I was truly moved by the ability of author Christy Sauro Jr. to tell the stories of his buddies and himself in such an effective manner. Sauro has demonstrated exceptional empathy in weaving together the stories of so many young Americans, all of whom were sworn in together on June 28, 1967, in pregame ceremonies at a Minnesota Twins baseball game. I encourage all Americans to read "The Legacy of the Twins Platoon." It has human interest and integrity, and it is a reminder of the true cost of freedom. All the Marines who graduated from boot camp as members of the Twins Platoon were in the prime of life and gave it their best.
Major General David J. Elicerio, Army (Ret.), Chief of Joint Military Affairs at Eagle Base in Tuzla, Bosnia/Herzegovina for Stabilization Force 14; Commander, 1- 34th Brigade Combat Team, where he commanded over 4,000 Soldiers, on the longest Brigade Combat Team tour of duty in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom; conducting security operations throughout the Iraq theater of operations for sixteen months; Deputy Commander, 34th Infantry Division, United States Forces-South, Basra, Iraq in 2009. From November 2010 to October 2013, General Elicerio commanded over 10,200 Soldiers of the historical 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division.
"What a great read. I was aghast at the treatment of the men during their induction training, and the hardship they endured to serve our great nation. How did they keep their motivation and patriotism at high levels while enduring those stresses. The highlights and anecdotes of the Marines as they move through their military careers is especially telling of their sacrifices. War and combat are true stressors - they bring out the best and worst of the human spirit. Having read their accounts, I feel personally attached to the members of Twins Platoon. I have also stood on the Twins field after serving in Iraq, I understand the flood of emotions from pride in service, humility in surviving, the guilt of wondering why I survived and others didn't. Having taken a Brigade of soldiers from Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska to war I can attest to the belief that the Midwest work ethic in these soldiers made them heads and shoulders above their peers form other units. I felt the same in the reading of the Twins Platoon - the strength of their up brining and Midwest roots served these Marines through all aspects of their time in uniform. I returned to a grateful nation who had learned the hard lessons of soldiers returning from war. We received welcoming ceremonies, we received mental health checks, we received community support. I felt saddened by our lack of support at the national level for those returning from Vietnam. I take personal offense at the notion of the greatest generation ever; I believe we are blessed in the USA of having the greatest generations ever."
Brigadier General William Weise, USMC (Ret.) He served as a mortar section leader and rifle platoon commander in Company G, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, in Korea and in Vietnam as battalion commander of the Second Battalion, Fourth Marines. He was awarded the Navy Cross "For extraordinary heroism" during the Battle of Dai Do. He was awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, and three Purple Hearts. Some of his greatest accomplishments occurred off the battlefield and are detailed in the book "One Magnificent Bastard.
"I served thirty-one years on active duty as a Marine and led infantry units in close combat in Korea. I also went through boot camp as a private in 1951 during the height of the Korean War. Christy W. Sauro Jr.'s The Legacy of the Twins Platoon tells a story that every American should read. If they are like me, they will read it with tears in their eyes and pride mixed with sadness in their hearts. It tells the individual stories of a group of young men (the best America had to offer, although that was not recognized at the time) who answered their country's call, fought bravely and well, survived the revilement of the anti-war activists, and quietly rebuilt their lives. Most of them succeeded, but the scars remain, and Sauro powerfully tells their stories. As we continue to send our best young men and now young women, our sons, and daughters, into harm's way to protect our freedom and secure freedom for others, America must know and recognize the human cost. Reading Christy Sauro's The Legacy of the Twins Platoon will help our countrymen and women learn this from the sacrifice of this valorous group of Marines, which spans their lifetime in Sauro's new book.
Tim Pawlenty 39th Governor of Minnesota from 2003 to 2011
"I highly recommend Chris Sauro's gripping and unvarnished account of the historic Twins Platoon. It's an epic story that also powerfully reinforces the critical importance of honoring and supporting our Vietnam veterans and all veterans."
Trevor Fleck Coordinating Producer at FanDuel Sports Network. A Producer of live events and documentaries for over 30 years and has won over 30 Regional Emmy Awards. He produced the Fox Sports North documentary "Spotlight-the Twins Platoon" which in 2008 won the National Television Academy's Regional Emmy Award and the Major Norman Hatch Award for Outstanding Video Marine Corps documentary.
"I read the first book of "The Twins Platoon" because I am a sports fanatic and passionate about American History. This seemed a perfect combination and it was. I was born during the middle of the Vietnam War and was raised at a time when we were taught not to talk to Veteran's about their service and our schools focused mainly on World War I and World War II. Reading this book changed my life. It was the first time I could grasp the real life experience these young men faced, and that courage could not exist without fear. The Marines ability to fight through the fear was incredible. Christy Sauro Jr.'s words, the voice of these Veterans, and letters from their families brought to life the experience of war. Their pride, passion, and pain popped off the pages, along with their bravery and love for each other! I needed to learn and hear more! This second book has an even more personal feel. Nearly 20 years after reading the first book I still think of Hill 861 often. Though I never knew Kenny Goodman or have any connection to his family I think about him all the time and try and live by a value he instilled in me "A life serving others, is the least a man can do."
John Murray, Lt Col, USMC (Ret), Commanding Officer, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines Vietnam 1968.
"Chris Sauro has written a compelling account of the story of the 1967 Twins Platoon. He recalls the cheers and adulation they received at their swearing in ceremony at the old Met Stadium and their send off to Marine Corps boot camp. He documents the intense combat situations that they faced during their 13-month tour in Vietnam. He describes in detail the struggles they faced at home, due in no small part to the fact of the bitter and hostile reception they received upon their return to the USA. But this book is more than their story. It took more than 25 years before Americans began to say "Welcome Home" to the Vietnam veterans. This book is reminder to all of us of the importance of welcoming our servicemen home with gratitude and praise.
Alan L. Fletcher Captain USMC, (Ret). Fletcher flew 520 missions in country and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism on November 22, 1969, while serving as a pilot for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164.
"In his updated portrayal of the frontline actions of the Minnesota Twins platoon, author Christy Sauro has skillfully written in graphic and gut-wrenching detail the action, determination; emotions, successes and sacrifices of our fellow Marines as they slogged through the jungle near the DMZ. The dedicated and selfless Marines not only fought the enemy but also supported and saved fellow Marines at great personal risk and sometimes loss of life. All the locations and actions were quite familiar to me because I supported Marines from the air as a helicopter pilot flying rescue, resupply, and reconnaissance missions in the year following the actions described. Although it was emotional for me to read about what these Marines were going through, in a sense, the book brought closure for me to see the challenges faced by the Marines on the ground prior to being rescued or removed as remains. It becomes vividly clear to the reader why Marines have the Semper Fidelis motto because Marines in the field must be able to rely on their comrades and they must always be faithful to those comrades when the going gets tough. This has been masterfully portrayed in this book. I am still thinking daily about these stories and how lucky I feel to have lived through that war. Christy Sauro has done a great service to all fellow Marines in letting the world know what we went through, some with more severe consequences than others."
Jerry W. Mahlke, Army Sergeant Major (Ret), Mahlke served 40 years active and reserve military service, with three deployments with Financial Management elements: Bosnia- SFOR 14, Eagle Base September 2003- March 2004; Kuwait, Camp Arifjan, 336th Financial Management Center, August 2007- May 2008; 3rd ESC, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, May 2008- April 2009.
"Christy Sauro's "The Twins Platoon" weaves the humorous, aspiring, gut-wrenching, soul-searching, and inspirational personal stories of dozens of the platoon members in their journey through Marine Corps training, their Vietnam War experiences, and what life was and is like for those who made it home, and their families. It's a worthy and necessary tribute to all those who can and do serve our nation in the armed forces."
Patrick K. O'Donnell Historian and Bestselling author of We Were One, The Unvanquished, and the Indispensables. O'Donnell is a historian, public speaker, and bestselling author of 14 books and scores of films and documentaries spanning the American Revolution to the Battle of Fallujah. He is a leading expert on America's elite and special operations units. www.patrickodonnell.com
"The Legacy of the Twins Platoon is a powerful and magnificent book that captures the stories of a young group of Americans transformed by war. It is timeless and written by an intrepid member of the platoon who spent decades tirelessly tracking down its Marines, many of whom endured some of the most brutal combat of Vietnam—Khe Sanh and Hue City. The story arc follows the lives of these Americans before Vietnam, through the war and its aftermath, including those still battling invisible scars. Christy W. Sauro, Jr. has written a tremendous book that has my highest recommendation."