They Called Us ""Lucky""

The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit

De: Ruben Gallego, Jim DeFelice

Narrado por: Ruben Gallego, Stephen Graybill

From Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a ""powerful"" and ""searing"" memoir of his journey from childhood poverty to Harvard to the Marine Corps, where served in the hardest-hit unit of the Iraq War

At first, they were “Lucky Lima.” Infantryman Ruben Gallego and his brothers in Lima Company—3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, young men drawn from blue-collar towns, immigrant households, Navajo reservations—returned unscathed on patrol after patrol through the increasingly violent al Anbar region of Iraq. After two months, Lima didn't have a casualty, not a single Purple Heart, no injury worse than a blister.

Then, in May 2005, Lima’s fortunes flipped. Unknown to Ruben and his fellow grunts, al Anbar had recently become a haven for al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. The bin Laden-sponsored group had recruited radicals from all over the world for jihad against the Americans. On one fateful day, they were lured into a death house; the ambush cost the lives of two men, including a platoon sergeant. Two days later, Ruben’s best friend, Jonathon Grant, died in an IED attack, along with several others. Events worsened from there. A disastrous operation in Haditha in August claimed the lives of thirteen Marines when an IED destroyed their amphibious vehicle. It was the worst single-day loss for the Marines since the 1983 Beirut bombings. By the time 3/25 went home in November, it had lost more men than any other single unit in the war. Forty-six Marines and two Navy Corpsmen serving with the battalion in Iraq were killed in action during their roughly nine-month activation.

They Called Us “Lucky” details Ruben Gallego’s journey and includes harrowing accounts of some of the war’s most costly battles. It details the struggles and the successes of Ruben and the rest of Lima Company following Iraq, examining the complicated matter of PTSD. And it serves as a tribute to Ruben’s fallen comrades, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

A heroic story humbly told!

I suspect Representative Gallego would most desire that we simply regard him a good Marine. I am happy to oblige, speaking for myself. That said, I would add good American at a time when our domestic politics are chaotic and frightening, even terrifying. Whether we collectively know it or not, the future of this great country rests on his shoulders and those who share his values and integrity.

Story grabs your attention

Listen to the whole book in a day. Wish there was more books written like this.

Soulful writing and a vulnerable performance

I easily imagined talking side by side with the author about his life story, and felt honored to hear stories of his personal losses. I valued his perspective as a hard working Lcpl, a rare perspective one seldom has access to. A great option for a guided book club, discussing loss, military to civil transitions, a focus on military familys, mental health in the military and USMC History.

Must Read for Veterans

This book is a must read for Veterans and particularly for anyone considering joining the service. The Congressman does an excellent job of relaying the chaos, terror, strength, and pride involved with combat service, and an incredible job of describing the symptoms many Veterans face with PTSD, many of which are little discussed. I feel anyone aspiring to join the military, especially in a combat arms capacity, would greatly benefit from reading this book, to better understand the reality of their decision and the potentially life long repercussions of that decision. Amazing book, read by the author. As a Veteran myself, it made me feel less alone

An airing of grievances

I thank the author for his service and the respect and honor he paid to his fellow Marines. The book could have stood on its own without the political commentary. I did not know that he was a politician when I started the book but there were hints throughout. The last few chapters are strictly political. One point I must make is that the author is quick to point out that he has used methods of war fighting in politics. I don’t believe I would brag about tricking my political opponents into leaving the arena to pass a law while they were gone. In war, this is done as subterfuge. It doesn’t belong in a government. I will say that I have a better understanding of how some politicians think and am dismayed that such a narrow view can be representative of their constituents. Still the book is worth the listen.

Too political

The book was decent until the end, where Gallego acts like he would’ve shot and killed Americans during the Jan 6th protests. The end of the book became a hit piece against republicans and it just wasn’t necessary. Comparing his time at war to the January 6th riots was laughable

Lima 3/25

This subject, Lima Company 325 is held near to my heart. A young man that I know was apart of this unit. He came home to his loving family unlike many of his Marine brothers. He is my hero!! The story was told well, my heart breaks for all the families that lost a child, a husband, brother or grandchild. However, the story was spoiled by current issues in the past year, such as the election. I thought it was about Lima Company, not Biden and Trump, i.e. politics. Sorry you didn't stick to the subject.

Thank you!

They are humans who had to work for their country and do things that others don't dare. What I liked most was the end, they did what they had to do! his work!

I had to turn it off at the end.

I am a US Marine, OIF combat vet. I say that because I wanted to like this book, and I did at some points in the story. 3/25 got hammered really bad, and I have a tremendous respect for the marines who fought with them, including the author. I also found myself completely relating to the author’s words about PTSD and struggles with the aftermath of war.

What I did not enjoy was the infusion of politics into this story. I got it, the author is a congressman and Harvard alumni. But the whole J6 thing at the end, and the announcement that you’re BFFs with a congressman who had an affair with a Chinese spy… , while attacking our 45th president, and talking about fair elections, while your side blocks voter ID laws…. come on bro!

Good story

It was a good depiction of the author’s experiences in the war. However, the performance leaves me wishing that they had hired a professional to do the reading. Dozens of mispronunciations, a strange speech rhythm made it harder to follow.