The true story of Lieutenant Steve Joyner, who carried all the traits of a “perfect Marine” – character, compassion, determination, patriotism . . . an All-American football star. But then came the harsh and unforgiving realities of combat in Vietnam. How the two worlds he inhabited both connected and conflicted reveals the character of an extraordinary man gone far too soon.
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“Promise Lost is a touching, crisply rendered account of Marine Lieutenant Steve Joyner, who fell heroically in the final, bloody days of the 1968 battle for Khe Sanh while leading a counterattack into the teeth of an overwhelming enemy assault force. Yet, the real story here is of Joyner’s life, his personal character, and enormous potential. Dan Moore reliably and deftly weaves this poignant tale of friendship, honor and fate; culminating in the agonizing reality that war does not end on the battlefield; but rather back home, often decades later, within a fallen warrior’s circle of family and friends.”
– Michael Archer, Vietnam veteran, author, A Patch of Ground: Khe Sanh Remembered
“An unusual and important book. How good it would be if every unremembered person whose name is on The Wall had such a friend as Dan Moore was—and is—to Steve Joyner.”
– Marian Faye Novak, author, Lonely Girls with Burning Eyes: A Husband’s Journey Home from Vietnam
“Promise Lostc aptures the short but inspiring life of First Lieutenant Steve Joyner, USMC, whose experiences in Vietnam provide a treasure chest of meaningful lessons learned for every young lieutenant. Dan Moore’s description of ground combat at the company level causes the reader to experience the challenges of close combat.”
– Lt. General Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret)
“Promise Lost captures the personality of my dear friend and teammate. It describes the journey of a young Marine with a big and kind heart. Steve pushed forward to set the pace, but in war there is no do-over. I thank Dan for this book. I feel blessed and thank God for having Steve come my way in life.”
– Brig Owens, NFL Safety (1966-77), Washington Redskins “Ring of Fame”
Of 55 Reviews on Amazon, Promise Lost carries 4.7 stars with 87 percent of the buyers giving it 5 stars.
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Author
Dan Moore
Upon returning from Vietnam in 1968, Lt. Dan Moore vowed to someday tell the story of a fallen Marine, a best friend. Moore had served in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer and battery executive officer.
While staying with the Marine reserves, he earned a doctorate in history from the University of Pennsylvania and made the CIA his career.
Following retirement in 2013, he finally began to research the life of Steve Joyner. He would interview more than 100 of Steve’s friends and colleagues, from youth to college to the Marine Corps. The results are a fascinating story of a young Marine officer who pushed himself to the front lines of life and death.
“The Joyner story, in part,” writes Moore, “is a symbolic tribute to the Vietnam generation of servicemen and women who, without wavering, offered—and sometimes gave—their lives for their country.
The real story here is of Steve Joyner’s life, his personal character, and enormous potential. Dan Moore reliably and deftly weaves this poignant tale of friendship, honor and fate; culminating in the agonizing reality that war does not end on the battlefield; but rather back home, often decades later, within a fallen warrior’s circle of family and friends.
– Vietnam veteran and author Michael Archer.
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