Coming to America from Ecuador was a dream come true since I was a child. It was how everyone portrayed it--the way of life--and that no matter who you are or where you came from, you can achieve your goals if you set your mind to it, known as the American dream. After I obtained my bachelor of science in marine engineering with a coast guard license from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, I started shipping with steam and diesel ships all over the world, carrying containers, military equipment, jet fuel, grain, and coal--just to name a few. But as I was raised to be thankful and respectful, to me, I owed a debt to America for giving me the opportunity what I have become. By the age of twenty-nine, I joined the US Marines in the enlisted program and later became a Marine officer in the infantry. In the Marine Corps, we were constantly training to be proficient on the war-fighting principles. Even though we train for combat, seeing and experiencing real-life situations is different.

The accounts that I have written in this book is from real-life experiences, awards given to the Marines and sailors that were in that situation, and talking to them during the battle. The Second Battle for Fallujah is known as one of the bloodiest battles, in which I tell the story of some accounts and how we made it through.