God in the Trenches ¯ Larkin Spivey



God in the Trenches ¯ Larkin Spivey


Chapter One: Pure Luck or God's Hand
Chapter Two: The American Revolution – Darkest Hour
Chapter Three: The Civil War – Moment of Decision
Chapter Four: World War II – The Tide Turns
Chapter Five: The Cold War – Brink of Armageddon
Chapter Six: The Hand of Providence in America's Wars
Appendix: War and God in My Own Life

Chapter One: Pure Luck or God's Hand
I had never been so scared. The mortar attack seemed to go on for hours, although I would learn
later that it lasted only minutes. The air was filled with smoke, dirt, and shrapnel. I could feel the
shock wave of each exploding mortar shell while lying exposed on open ground. I had been caught without a foxhole or even an entrenching tool, and quickly noticed that no one else was so ill
prepared. I had flown in by helicopter to join the Third Battalion, Third Marines the day before, on
March 24, 1967. At first light on this eventful morning, I learned that infantry battalion command
groups were favorite targets of North Vietnamese mortar teams. With no duties to perform, all that I
could do was think about where the next shell was going to land, and pray that it wouldn't be on me.
I did pray, and I did survive that attack. I also survived other close calls during the Vietnam War and
throughout my career as a Marine infantry officer. For most of my life I have not been a "religious"
person, but have still been forced to consider a recurring question: Have I been an extremely "lucky"
man, or has God's hand protected me during many dangerous and pivotal moments?