Book Review: "Brute, The Life of Victor Krulak, U.S. Marine" by Robert Coram

In a breathtaking career spanning the 1930's through the 60's, LtGen Victor Krulak left his mark not only on the Corps, but also on the victory of WWII. He was also the father of 3 sons who all served, the most recently known, General Chuck Krulak who was the 31st Commandant of The Marine Corps. The Krulak name in the history of the Marines is well known, and for good reason. However, his rise, and his family's hold is one that perhaps no one of a certain lineage-dependent mindset could have predicted in the first quarter of the twentieth century.

Born in 1913, Krulak didn't fit the external mold of those who traditionally ascended the ranks of the military to make a full-blown career of it --at least on the surface. He was not descended from a familial line who had served in the military. Plus, was short, and had a roughness hewn from growing up in Cheyenne, Wyoming when it still very much was the wild west. Krulak was also Jewish.

Writer Robert Coram unravels the strands of mystery surrounding Krulak's roots. While Coram makes far more of Krulak's Jewish roots than the man did himself, the writer does so to reveal Krulak's drive. Perhaps rather than say Krulak reinvented himself, it would not be unreasonable to say that Krulak discovered himself in the genteel halls of Annapolis. The person who emerged was Episcopalian, a new-traditionalist, with just a hint of the dust from the plains of Cheyenne. To Krulak, where he was going was far more important than from where he had come.

The Higgins Boat photo from Tarawa 1943

The drop-bow Higgins-boat, used in amphibious landings throughout the Pacific and at Normandy, was the result of Krulak's observations of similar craft designed and used by the Japanese during the second Sino-Japanese war. It was in Shanghai, where Krulak hit his stride, showing signs of becoming the innovator, inventor, leader, and logician. His contributions not included the Higgins, but strategy for the invasion of Okinawa, and acting as an advocate for use of helicopters in combat. Most notably, Krulak saved the Marines from being disbanded after WWII by the Army-centric administrations following.

Coram writes with a deft pen. His passages on Belleau Wood, Shanghai, and the many battles in the Pacific are compelling reading --not only for those already familiar, but most especially for those who know nothing about either the Marines or history. While Krulak himself expressed discomfort for "womb to tomb" stories, he and his family had confidence in Coram's ability and participated in the telling of this biography. Rather than dwelling only on his accomplishments and lionizing Krulak, Coram shows us his complexities. While this makes for passages that slow the pace of the book and reveals details others would omit for the sake of a gentler exit, Coram stays the course to give the whole of Krulak's life. This is a helpful reminder that heroes are human, and the next one might well be from as humble beginnings, and live a life with traits and deeds both admirable and not.