“If you want to read about combat in Iraq at the boots-on-the-ground level, this book is for you. Jason Angell has penned a plainspoken, tough but compassionate story about the Marines in his unit. Their courage, their fears, and their hopes. Operating daily in a difficult place against a brutal but worthy adversary, they never quit, never faltered, and most importantly, never stopped believing in each other. None of us came back the same from the fight, but the great majority served well, with courage, honor and virtue. This is their story.”
-General Robert Neller, USMC (Ret.), 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps
“At that period, 2005 and 2006, Ramadi gained notoriety as the most dangerous place on the face of the earth. Jason Angell served there, and he served with great honor and distinction as a member of a Marine ANGLICO team. This is his story.”
–Major General John Gronski, USA (Ret.); former commanding officer of 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry-Ramadi, Iraq
“The US war in Iraq has become a distant memory, and first-person accounts of the harsh, gritty combat US service members experienced are important to the historical record. Jason Angell’s memoir, Running Towards Gunfire, is one of the rare books that takes readers on a retrospective journey from the perspective of a marine’s experience of fighting in Ramadi circa 2005 during the Iraq war.
“He transforms from an eager and willing participant whose innocence is replaced by pragmatism after his first firefight and, after many more, finally succumbs to fatal acceptance he may be killed. Angell’s unvarnished, thoughtful writing allows readers to assess the actions of those on the ground versus being a vigorous defense of US policy in the wake of 9/11.
“As a fellow combat veteran and Marine, I cannot recommend this sobering story enough for those who seek to understand modern warfare and the people who fought it. Buy this book.”
–Ivan F. Ingraham, USMC Raider (Ret.), acclaimed author of The Patrol
“A superbly written story that shares the gut-wrenching emotion of combat and how US marines and soldiers, bent by war, fought and survived in the deadliest city on earth.”
–Major Scott A. Huesing, USMC (Ret.), bestselling author of Echo in Ramadi
“Running Towards Gunfire reveals the heart of why American marines fight with ferocity and courage. Jason describes a warrior’s battlefield report of the Marine fighting spirit in the most complicated urban warfare in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, and the courageous love between brothers in battle. The heart of combat is clearly described through the ultimate competition between two irreconcilable forces, both utilizing every means necessary in the arena with only one victor. Running Towards Gunfire is a heart-pounding account of marines using every type of attack aircraft, technology, and coordination in a complex urban battlefield to relentlessly kill a fanatical enemy.”
–Major Fred Galvin, USMC (Ret.), author of A Few Bad Men: The True Story of US Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America
“Jason Angell expertly captures the intensity of navigating a small ANGLICO team through the battlespace to bring additional fire support to a roulette wheel of units. The complexity of those operations and the emotional toll that it had on Angell and his marines rings true throughout.”
-Isaac G. Lee, author of Hangar 4: A Combat Aviator’s Memoir
“Running Towards Gunfire” dives deep into the experiences of Marines fighting a brutal insurgency in Ramadi, Iraq. This gripping first-person account sheds light on the realities of modern urban combat, taking readers on a journey alongside these courageous fighters. Prepare to be transported to the heart of the action as Marines forge bonds and fight for survival in some of the most intense battles of the Iraq War. This unflinching look at urban warfare is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice of the men on the front lines.”
-Holly McKay, author Only Cry For the Living: Memos from Inside the ISIS Battlefield