Strike Hard and Expect No Mercy: A Tank Platoon Leader in Iraq

by Galen Peterson

Strike Hard and Expect No Mercy is the story of boots on the ground in Iraq, as seen through the eyes of a tank platoon leader. Baqubah, on the eve of the Surge, and Sadr City, during the spring uprising of 2008, saw some of the darkest hours of the war. A tough dragon, the M1A2 Abrams tank and its crews were often called to crack the toughest nuts on the battlefield, and victory, even survival, was not guaranteed. It is a gritty and visceral dive into the combat experience, flavored with the anguish of loss, the exhilaration of victories, the frustrations of defeats, and the humor required to survive. Along the way, the story shares rarely told insights into the duties and expectations of an Army junior officer.

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2021

Reviews

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

I had trouble putting this book down. It was an easy read—and I'm not even a ground-war guy. The writing style of the author was informative and exciting. His use of metaphors was excellent and often humorous. The book not only brings the support operations onto center-stage with the combatants, it places the reader in the boots of the author. I felt that I was living it as I was reading it.

Teamwork is a central theme. Battles are won and lost by the good or bad combination of logistics, maintenance, life support, valor, planning, command, communications, weather, mental and physical preparedness, and so on. This book embodies all of the elements. The author is straightforward and vulnerable enough to discuss his own mistakes.

In the end, lives are lost, lives are saved, and lives are broken. Warriors have their moments of "glory" but after the fighting, they are rarely the same. This book forces us to face the reality that after the guns are silent, another battle goes on—one which the broken warrior must sometimes fight alone.

Review by Jerry Burton (March 2022)

[Catherine Glackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

SILVER LION FAMILY

Reading this story so many years after living it on the southern side of the story. As a Silver lion's wife I remember the phone calls and the hard days on this side. The days of worry, watching the news and comparing it to what our lions were telling us.

I had to put this story down so many times, and read it slowly as I could feel the emotions over whelm me.


Thank you for sharing so much of the hard days with us, I know it must have been hard.

[Craig Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense Combat Perspective

I found this narrative quite gripping as it detailed combat in Iraq from the perspective of small unit warfare fighting a committed enemy with Abrams tanks, Humvees and Bradley IFVs. The personal insights into combat were well written and riveting while also revealing the toll that combat took on our fighting men and women. Hats off to all those who served, I fear that our country too readily forgets the sacrifices made.

[Aaron VanAlstine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book brought back a lot of memories from my time in Iraq. The author is a natural leader and the engagements he recounts are very exciting and I found it hard to put down. I hope this book is on the Armor School’s professional reading list. My only complaint is that the writing is atrocious and it reads like a first draft. It really needed a good editor.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great perspective to a war my husband experienced first hand also. Heartfelt words written so that a younger generation never forgets the courage and sacrifice made on behalf of our county. Galen portrays his story with grace and humility.

[K Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to follow and read. I’ve read better war books.

[Galen Peterson]

I am the author, my review does not count. However, I do need YOU to review! Thank you in advance for reading about my heroes and leaving a review!