{"product_id":"black-hearts-and-painted-guns-a-battalions-journey-into-iraqs-triangle-of-death","title":"Black Hearts and Painted Guns: A Battalion's Journey into Iraq's Triangle of Death","description":"\"...a page-turner that reads like a novel, made better by the fact that it is true.\" ― ARMY Magazine\n\nKelly Eads joined the 101st Airborne Division soon after 9\/11, his experience reflecting the patriotism and commitment of so many young men and women who responded to the attack. He deployed to Iraq twice with the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment.\n\nEarly in their deployment to Iraq, the 2nd Battalion brought the fight directly to the enemy by setting up patrol bases in the local areas where they lived and operated. Soon they built a reputation for themselves, becoming known to the enemy as the Black Hearts—The 502nd had been distinguished on the battlefield by black hearts on their helmets since World War II. Their Scout Platoon became known as Painted Guns due to their practice of camouflaging their rifles.\n\nDuring Eads’ deployments, the battalion would experience thousands of Improvised Explosive Devices and firefights. They would spend countless hours in blistering 120-degree desert heat, controlling roads and preventing enemy freedom of movement; and would dedicate months to hunting enemy mortar teams and terror cells.\n\nWith the help of Dan Morgan, an Infantry officer who deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan as a commander and operations officer, Eads takes the reader on a rollercoaster of combat experiences during the hunt for the most violent terrorist in Iraq, Abū Muṣʻab Zarqāwī, bringing to life the painstaking and horrid details of combat in a sectarian war. He tells the story of the soldiers’ camaraderie, built through adversity, and the love of family that sustained them.\n\nTable of Contents\n\nAcknowledgements\nMilitary Terms and Ranks\nIntroduction\nPrologue\nChapter 1 A Call to Serve\nChapter 2 The Legacy of the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles”\nChapter 3 Training for War\nChapter 4 Deployment to Hell\nChapter 5 The Grim Reaper (a.k.a. Route Motorhead)\nChapter 6 Kill Zone\nChapter 7 “Blue on Blue”: The Chaos and Confusion of War\nChapter 8 Patrol Base Gator Swamp\nChapter 9 Operation Glory Light\nChapter 10 Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown\nChapter 11 Offense is the Best Defense\nChapter 12 Battalion Scout Reconnaissance\/Sniper Platoon\nChapter 13 Clearing the Chakas\nChapter 14 Keeping up the Pressure\nChapter 15 Heading Home\nChapter 16 The Kitchen Table Battlefield\nEpilogue\nAppendix I In Memoriam\nAppendix II Memorial Photos\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 163624534X\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: BVV.163624534X.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Eads, Kelly|Morgan, Daniel S\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact  including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Blue Vase Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43747654369341,"sku":"BVV.163624534X.G","price":15.21,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/4225\/9261\/files\/163624534X-0.jpg?v=1790892216","url":"https:\/\/www.bluevasebooks.com\/products\/black-hearts-and-painted-guns-a-battalions-journey-into-iraqs-triangle-of-death","provider":"Blue Vase Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}