INDIA COMPANY 3^RD BATTALION 3^RD MARINES

by

Sergeant Howard Ray Billings

USMC

We walk through darkness, jungle and sand

Searching for the enemy in this land

Receive a shot and a hand grenade,

Step on a land mine so cleverly laid.

Now blood and guts and death all around,

Still we search for a friendly sound.

Our jets come in, their guns ablaze,

We all move out in a deadly craze.

Now blood and muscle and gaping bone,

Oh no, this cannot be my own!

Could it be that I’m not aloof,

Not ten feet tall and bullet proof?

Move forward; move forward, you must not stop.

Destroy the enemy, and all his crop

Don’t let your mind feel the pain and grief,

Just hope that tomorrow will bring relief.

Remember yesterday, so easy and mild,

Unlike today, so deadly and wild.

The killing and maiming and all that I see…

Is this man’s nature, is this really me?

I say, ”No, this cannot be.”

I’m taking orders, can’t you see?

Tomorrow the medals and honors they’ll give

To those of us who still live.

Then take the dead and send them home;

Is that not where they all belong?

And do remember along with me,

They’ll always live, they’re part of 3-3.

They were the toughest and the bravest you’ve ever seen,

Because each one was a U.S. Marine.

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