* The often overlooked story of medics at war *Contains more than 180 photographs *Covers the whole history of frontline medical personnel This handsomely produced oversized book, which features more than 180 photographs, honours the critical role of frontline medical personnel in the success of the US military from colonial times to the present. The presence of trained medical personnel with every US combat unit is a vital source of reassurance to soldiers. They know that if they are wounded or injured the medics will do everything possible to save them, even to the point of sacrificing their own lives. Many medics have in fact died trying to assist wounded soldiers. The presence of medical personnel constitutes an important element of American combat power, and the role of the combat medic is an extremely pressured one. The medics need to be both extremely organised and fast to react. F. Clifton Berry Jr saw combat in Vietnam as operations officer of a light-infantry brigade. He also commanded two rifle companies, an infantry battalion, and served at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and State Department. He has written or contributed to more than twenty books including United States Army at War: 9/11 through Iraq. John T. Greenwood is the Chief of the Office of Medical History at the Office of the Surgeon General/HQ US Army Medical Command and the author of Milestones of Aviation.