The ELITE USMC Reconnaissance Company of the Korean War 1950--1953, records a previously undocumented history of a unique company of Recon Marines who served during the Korean conflict.

Inspired by John L. Camara, former Marine tank and infantry Reconnaissance sergeant, author Jerry Ravino set out to document this proud unit’s involvement during that unsettled period of the early 1950s.

He attended Recon Marine reunions in San Diego (2003), Portland (2004), and Seattle (2005) where he interviewed numerous Recon veterans who had served in “The Land of the Morning Calm.” Subsequently, he collected over 350 original photographs that validated significant events occurring during the three-year Korean War. An avid researcher, Ravino has gathered information from United States Marine Corps historical records and related writings; from media coverage, and from extensive interviews and phone conversations. Although a wealth of information and photographs was lost in what has been described as the “forgotten war,” the author, through his undying determination, has detailed an extensive history of this specific unit, the (Elite) Reconnaissance Company Marines.

Chapters in Ravino’s latest book include:

	Tributes to the MIAs (missing in action) and the twenty-seven KIA's (killed in action) from this unit
	Accounts of the submarine landings off the coast of the Yellow Sea and of the first helicopter flights behind enemy lines
	Stories of the Recon Marines Little Foreign Legion
	Descriptions of the ground-breaking use of helicopters to move troops and equipment and to evacuate the wounded to M.A.S.H. and hospital ships at Inchon Harbor.
	Details on Operation "Little Switch" and "Big Switch" prisoner of war exchanges.
	Morrie Estess. A U. S Marine's Version   of                           "Task Force Drysdale." "Hell Fire Valley," and POW Status & Escape in Korea 1950 - 1951

Ravino ends his current book with individual accounts of reconnaissance patrols and a stirring description of the exploits of Operation Big Switch (prisoner of war exchanges) with flamethrower tanks on standby.

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Jerry Ravino served in combat as a flamethrower tank commander during the Korean War with the Flame Platoon, Headquarters Company, First Tank Battalion, First Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. During his tour of duty Ravino was awarded the Purple Heart, three campaign battle stars, a presidential unit citation, and several additional decorations from the South Korean government.

After his discharge he returned to his former employer, Pfizer Chemical Company, and eventually retired from there after thirty-one years as production foreman in their plant in Groton, Connecticut. Later, he was nationally certified as a substance abuse counselor and employed by the Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SCADD). He retired from his position with Parental Awareness and Responsibility (PAR) in Clearwater, Florida, after twenty years of dedicated service in the drug rehabilitation field.