Di Di Mau
Tigers, Rock Apes, The Jungle…and War
Publication date: November 10, 2023
In 1969, Darren Walton, at the tender age of nineteen, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, trading life in idyllic Marin County in California for the chaos of a raging jungle war in Southeast Asia. In no time, he got pressed into service as a member of a Marine reconnaissance unit, operating out of Camp Reasoner, located on a hill near Da Nang, Vietnam.
There were a few times when he basked in the breathtaking beauty of the triple canopy jungle, the contoured glistening mountain ridges, the luscious green valleys, and the pregnant rice paddies, but there were many, many others when he and his fellow Marines labored under the terror of the worst the jungle had to offer, with its torrential monsoons, torturous heat and humidity, rapacious insects and leeches, and enemy placed punji trips springing from hell below. Darren and his fellow soldiers wallowed in mud and filth, trekking through the jungle in search of military intelligence and enemy officers to capture, moving in literal baby steps, stop and go, stop and go, always listening, always on alert, dissecting jungle sounds, mindful that everywhere, the enemy lurked, waiting, biding time, ready to spring, never losing sight that death could be but a silent moment away.
Darren survived thanks to the unconditional loyalty and courage of his fellow Marines, men who risked their own lives to save his, men who demonstrated uncommon courage in the most desperate of circumstances. No questions asked. No conditions imposed. No social barriers erected. Semper Fidelis.
Di Di Mau is Darren’s unabashed personal account of warfare, survival, and brotherhood—and the enduring reflections that followed. It is unlike any book about the Vietnam War.
SELECT PRAISE
“Darren Walton spent a memorable year in the Vietnam War as a recon U.S. Marine—one of the military’s most dangerous jobs. He tells all in Di Di Mau, a revealing, sometimes gut-wrenching war memoir that examines virtually every aspect of his tour of duty. This is an introspective, worthy addition to the ever-growing American Vietnam War veteran memoir canon.”
— Marc Leepson, Arts Editor and Senior Writer, The VVA Veteran magazine
“As a fellow Vietnam veteran, Corporal Walton’s powerful memoir exhumed for me many hardships of service during the war. Recalling them, however, I thank God I was not a recon Marine. The book’s fast paced, detailed, and often darkly humorous account of the dangers faced and sacrifices made by Walton and his recon mates each day for thirteen months will at once thrill the reader and evoke a haunting poignancy. Should I ever have the honor of meeting Corporal Walton in person, the beers are on me.”
—Hon. Thomas M. O’Leary, US Immigration Judge (Ret.), and former Judge Advocate for the US Army.
“Truth, Honesty, Ground Level…. mud, rain, cold & heat to fear and love for his brother Marines! Darren Walton has told his story as a reconnaissance Marine and Team point-man in the jungles of Vietnam. His descriptions are accurate. He has been honest with himself and the reader. As his Commanding Officer for a portion of his time ‘in-country,’ he is telling it like it was or as we used to say, The way it is!”
—M.O. Fallon, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Team Leader, Patrol Leader, Platoon Commander, Company Commander, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Reasoner, Da Nang Vietnam, 1970
“. . . fabulous . . . riveting and really well written . . . I felt like I was right there with [Darren].”
— Margaret Burtt
“As a Vietnam combat vet, I can say without hesitation that Di Di Mau teems with truth and authenticity. It stirred intensely familiar feelings of loyalty, commitment, camaraderie, and the unique Brotherhood of the U.S. Marines.”
—Lon Slatten, 1stBn/11th Marines, Republic of Viet Nam (1968-1969)
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“This book is dedicated to the late Corporal J. L. Wiley, a special friend and phenomenal team leader. I was honored you selected me as point man for our recon unit, and I was honored and blessed to be your buddy. I know Jerry and Gregg miss you terribly,just as much as I do. Semper fi.”
— Darren Walton