13 Cent Killers, John Culbertson
13 Cent Killers, John Culbertson
List: $5.00 | Sale: $3.50
Club: $2.50

13 Cent Killers
The 5th Marine Snipers in Vietnam

Author: John Culbertson

Narrator: L.J. Ganser

Abridged: 2 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/04/2003


Synopsis

“It’s not easy to stay alive with a $1,000 bounty on your head.”

In 1967, a bullet cost thirteen cents, and no one gave Uncle Sam a bigger bang for his buck than the 5th Marine Regiment Sniper Platoon. So feared were these lethal marksmen that the Viet Cong offered huge rewards for killing them. Now noted Vietnam author John J. Culbertson, a former 5th Marine sniper himself, presents the riveting true stories of young Americans who fought with bolt rifles and bounties on their heads during the fiercest combat of the war, from 1967 through the desperate Tet battle for Hue in early ’68.

In spotter/shooter pairs, sniper teams accompanied battle-hardened Marine rifle companies like the 2/5 on patrols and combat missions. Whether fighting their way out of a Viet Cong “kill zone” or battling superior numbers of NVA crack troops, the sniper teams were at the cutting edge in the art of jungle warfare, showing the patience, stealth, combat marksmanship, and raw courage that made the unit the most decorated regimental sniper platoon in the Vietnam War. Harrowing and unforgettable, these accounts pay tribute to the heroes who made the greatest sacrifice of all–and leave no doubt that among 5th Marine snipers uncommon valor was truly a common virtue.

About The Author

John J. Culbertson served with the 2/5, 1st Marine Division, at An Hoa, Vietnam, from December 1966 to July 1967. He completed 1st MarDiv Sniper School in Da Nang and was wounded in action, earning three Purple Hearts. John Culbertson presently heads the Youth Development Tae Kwon Do Academy in Oklahoma City. He is a 5th degree black belt master.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Skylore on March 13, 2014

As I'm still reading this book I have put it off for many years. This book has my Grandfather in it, he was a 5th marine scout sniper. I am currently striving to become a Scout Sniper, as I am enlisted as an Infantry men in the US Marine Corps. I plan to serve my country proud and to make my Grandfa......more

Goodreads review by Mitchell on March 22, 2015

Imagine yourself being in a jungle; surrounded by people who are trying to kill you. You have to survive with nothing but your comrades and your rifle. The young men that fought in the fifth sniper division in Vietnam must have been terrified. The Vietnam War was one of the first wars to use snipers......more

Goodreads review by Penecks on February 26, 2025

I picked up this Vietnam era paperback and was expecting a mediocre gung ho experience, a mostly fast food type of history that was at least moderately factual. While this is indeed that type of book, 13 Cent Killers runs into major problems that quickly wrangle at even this lenient proposition. Ther......more

Goodreads review by Alfredo on March 06, 2023

This book caught my attention with the cover when I was in the library looking for books. The book tells well illustrated stories of missions that Mr. Culbertson and his fellow service members in Vietnam (1967). Stories of the 2nd battalion, 5th marine sniper division in Vietnam. I liked how the boo......more

Goodreads review by Dominik on May 12, 2014

This book came to me while I was at a book store, just looking around. While doing that I found it, "13 cent killers". It looked good and so I bought it, and here is what it's about. 13 Cent Killers takes place during the Vietnam war, it's based on true facts and events fallowing the 5th marine snip......more