Missionary kid – A 110 PERCENT MENTALITY-THE COLONEL'S CORNER

UNDAUNTED GLADIATOR: Colonel Dan Wilson’s Epic Fight for Justice After False Accusations Shattered a Legendary Marine Career

In Undaunted Gladiator, Colonel Dan Wilson recounts his epic fight for justice after false accusations shattered his distinguished Marine career, revealing shocking flaws in the military justice system and the power of unwavering faith.

Imagine a battle-hardened Marine Colonel—39 years of service, 11 deployments, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, and a life forged in the crucible of Africa’s wilds and Iraq’s fiercest firefights—falsely accused of raping a child at a simple dinner party. Relieved of duties, dragged through a 14-month “witch hunt,” thrown into pretrial confinement, convicted in a politically charged court-martial, and locked away in the brig for 33 brutal months. That’s not fiction. That’s the jaw-dropping true story at the heart of Undaunted Gladiator by Colonel Dan Wilson.

From his missionary childhood in Sudan, Kenya, South Africa and Namibia—learning to track game with Bushmen, speaking seven languages, and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro at 14—Wilson was destined for the Corps. He enlisted in 1981, graduated Boot Camp as Platoon and Series Honor Man, earned meritorious promotions to Sergeant in just 16 months, and rose as a “Mustang” infantry officer. He commanded four platoons, three companies, and four battalions; fought in Desert Storm and the Second Battle of Fallujah; briefed generals in the Pentagon; and served as G-3 Operations Officer for II MEF. Decorated 52 times, he lived the Marine ethos: “Semper Fi” wasn’t a slogan—it was his heartbeat.

Then came the dinner party implosion on 13 July 2016. A junior officer’s wife accused him of inappropriately touching her six-year-old daughter. NCIS launched a global fishing expedition, storming his home several times, interrogating his terrified wife, and stacking 27 charges. A second accuser emerged months later with her own wild claims. Wilson was relieved of duties, confined for seven months pretrial, and ultimately convicted on the child sexual abuse charge plus lesser misconduct counts. Sentenced to five-and-a-half years, he entered the brig wearing orange, Prisoner #00128660 Whisky Delta—Cell #13.

What follows is pure fire. Wilson doesn’t break—he rises. He finds God in the darkness (“be like that tree!”), turns to daily prayer and meditation, forges unbreakable bonds with fellow prisoners (the “finest Marines I ever served with”), and watches his brilliant civilian appellate lawyer, Katie Cherkasky, dismantle the case. On 1 July 2019, the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals delivers a stunning unanimous reversal, and rebuke to the generals who convicted him—“set aside with prejudice”—the rarest of victories. A double rainbow appears over Camp Pendleton that same weekend. Divine confirmation.

Yet the system wasn’t done. Wilson signs a “dirty deal” under duress for release: voluntary retirement in exchange for “no punishment.” The convening authority reneges. He’s retired in the pay of a Lieutenant Colonel with an “Other-Than-Honorable” characterization of his very honorable service—losing $5,000+ monthly in benefits for life, banned from all Marine Corps bases for life. The very policies meant to protect victims weaponized against an innocent warrior.

Undaunted Gladiator isn’t just a memoir—it’s a clarion call. Wilson exposes how #MeToo zeal, unlawful command influence, and a “believe the female accuser at all costs” culture have corrupted military justice. He names the rot: NCIS overreach, stacked charges, biased panels, and careerist generals protecting the institution over truth. But he also shows the light—unshakable faith in God, family loyalty (his wife and daughters earn “Medals of Honor”). Post-release, he lives the “Life of Riley” in Myrtle Beach—writing, mentoring, working out, and playing Pickleball daily. He has published eight books, produced a music album and is working on finishing up three more books.

Wilson’s message rings eternal: “Everything happens for a reason.” His Higher Power whom he calls God, guided him through hell to emerge stronger, calling readers to demand reform so no other patriot suffers the same fate. Raw, riveting, and redemptive, this book will leave you furious at the system, inspired by the man, and moved to tears by the love that carried him.

If you believe in truth, justice, and the Marine Corps we all swore to defend—read Undaunted Gladiator. Buy it. Share it. Join the fight to fix what’s broken. Semper Fi, Colonel. Your story isn’t over—it’s just beginning.

The Eve of the Real Desert Storm…23 February 1991…Thirty-five years ago tonight!

The day before the ground invasion, our Operations Officer (callsign Dealer) asked me to mark the route to the first obstacle belt in Kuwait with chem lights that were only visible to our forces. Mission accomplished and we got our final briefing from the intel weanies who knew nothing. I gave my Marines the real gouge on the warrior prowess of Arab forces…they have none, simply put!

The real start of Desert Storm was the ground invasion of Kuwait by us grunts on 24 February 1991. Here’s what my Heavy Machine Gun Platoon (1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Task Force Ripper, 1st Marine Division) did that day…from my book, OUT OF AFRICA AND INTO THE CORPS:

On February 23rd, 1991, Dealer called out to me and asked that I mark a route for our battalion to the first obstacle belt. I grabbed Sergeant Jenkins’ section. One of his superb Squad Leaders was Corporal Tod Shores. We found a suitable route to the point in the obstacle belt that was 1/5’s designated penetration point. On the way back to our battalion’s position, we emplaced infrared chem-lights, making them only visible to our eyes, traveling from south to north and not to any enemy eyes looking to the south from the north. We accomplished the mission and made it back to our platoon area about 1700. In just seven hours, our battalion was to begin movement to our attack positions at 0001 on 24 February 1991.

In the final briefing by our intelligence analysts, they predicted that we would face fierce opposition from the Iraqi troops in Kuwait and predicted thirty percent casualties in the fight through the obstacle belts.

When they departed, I told my Marines of Heavy Machine Gun Platoon that I felt the intel guys were full of shit. “My dad used to joke about the shortest book in the world being of Arab war heroes,” I said. “I grew up for a good chunk of my life around Arabs. My experience is that when faced with danger, they are cowards unless they are hyped up on drugs, like methamphetamines. My personal assessment is that when faced with United States Marines, they will quickly surrender and throw up white flags. How we perform in battle will reverberate through eternity. We will prevail and be heading home soon to tell our war stories back home. Our road home is through Kuwait. The faster we get this done, the faster we go home to our families and the land of ‘milk and honey.’ Our reputation precedes us into battle, warriors. Let us not disappoint our legendary Marine heroes on whose shoulders we stand today. When God is for us, no one can stand against us, and I am certain that God is with us. We will fight, fight, fight, crush our enemies, and see them driven before us.’” I then directed our Marines to “suit up at MOPP Level 2.” From our training in Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) warfare, we know that MOPP stands for Mission Oriented Protective Posture and the various levels are to protect military members. MOPP Level 2 is actually putting on and wearing the chemical suit that is worn over our uniforms along with the overboots. We were each issued a single suit that we put on, carrying our gas masks and gloves on our person. This combo was worn for the next four days. It was hot and sweaty…very uncomfortable but had to be worn.

From Battlefield to Bookshelf: 8 Explosive Books by Retired Marine Colonel Dan Hunter Wilson – All Narrated by the Author Himself!

“Eight books. One unbreakable Marine.
From the jungles of Africa to the streets of Fallujah… from 309 pounds to a six-pack at 63… from false accusations to total victory… Colonel Dan Hunter Wilson has turned his entire life into lessons you can use today.
All eight titles — Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook narrated by the Colonel himself — are live on Amazon right now.
And three brand-new books are coming in 2026.
Which one are you reading first?”

Retired U.S. Marine Colonel Dan Hunter Wilson poured 39 years of combat leadership, unbreakable discipline, raw faith, and hard-won lessons into eight powerhouse books now available on Amazon in Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle/eBook, and Audiobook formats — every single audiobook personally narrated by the Colonel in his signature Marine cadence.

And he’s not done. The Colonel is currently working on three new books he intends to publish in 2026.

Here are all eight titles, in the order he wants you to discover them. Each one is a mission you won’t want to miss.

1. UNDAUNTED GLADIATOR

A decorated Marine Colonel with 39 years of service, 11 combat deployments, and 52 medals & ribbons is falsely accused of sexual assault just weeks before a Brigadier General promotion board. What follows is a modern-day gladiatorial fight against a broken military justice system. This is the raw, unfiltered story of one warrior who refused to stay down. If you believe in truth, honor, and second chances, this book will shake you — and inspire you.

Available in Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, and Audiobook (narrated by the author):

2. OUT OF AFRICA AND INTO THE CORPS

Born to missionary parents in Africa, young Dan Wilson grew up among Zulu warriors, Bushmen, and Nile villages before trading the savanna for the Marine Corps recruiting poster. This prequel memoir takes you from barefoot childhood in remote African outposts to Boot Camp, mustang officer, and combat leader. A gripping, hilarious, and deeply moving origin story of a true American warrior.

Available in all formats:

3. DAN 2.0 – Recovering from My Addictions

After the fight of his life, Colonel Wilson hit rock bottom with addictions to alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. In this brutally honest sequel to his own story, “Dan W.” (a nod to Bill W. of AA) shares the exact daily routine, prayers, and Marine discipline that delivered him into a sober, fit, and purposeful second act. A no-excuses blueprint for anyone ready for their own comeback.

Available in all formats:

4. A 110 PERCENT MENTALITY

At age 62, the retired Colonel stepped on the scale at 309 pounds. Using the same “110% mentality” his Drill Instructor screamed into him in 1981, he dropped 110 pounds, rebuilt a six-pack at 63, and reversed his health numbers — all without pills, surgery, or excuses. This is the complete battle plan: the Daniel Diet, ice baths, garage circuits, Pickleball, wind sprints, and the faith that powered every rep.

Available in all formats:

5. THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL

The intimate biography of Robert Joseph Hirsch — WWII fighter pilot, South Buffalo legend, and one of the greatest of the Greatest Generation. From high-school football star to smuggling a puppy into combat, delivering supplies under fire, and later transforming Myrtle Beach, Bob’s story is packed with humor, heroism, and the kind of larger-than-life character only the Greatest Generation produced.

Available in all formats:

6. THE BATTLE OF FALLUJAH – PART II: Operation Phantom Fury

The definitive firsthand account of the most decisive urban battle of the Iraq War, written by the Marine who helped draft the final operations order, served as senior liaison to the Army’s Black Jack Brigade, and later ran current operations for I MEF. Night assaults, feints, the “three-building war,” and the wounded NCO who raised his trigger finger and said, “Send me back — it still works.” Updated on the 20th anniversary to honor the fallen.

Available in all formats:

7. THE SWAMP FOX UNLEASHED

General Francis Marion’s Revolutionary War guerrilla tactics didn’t just harass the British — they became the DNA of modern Marine Corps warfighting doctrine (MCDP-1). Colonel Wilson, a lifelong student of maneuver warfare, connects the Swamp Fox’s swamp raids to Chesty Puller, Sun Tzu, and today’s Marine Corps. Short, explosive, and packed with timeless leadership lessons.

Available in all formats:

8. PICKLEBALL BATTLEFIELD

Turn your local court into a battlefield. Retired Colonel Dan Wilson fuses legendary warrior tactics — Shaka Zulu, Sun Tzu, Chesty Puller, the OODA Loop, and Marine Corps warfighting philosophy — with practical, hilarious, and deadly-effective pickleball strategies for doubles and singles. Whether you’re a beginner or a tournament player, this book will make you dangerous on the court and unstoppable in life.

Available in all formats:

Semper Fi and 110% — which mission are you taking on first?

OUT OF AFRICA AND INTO THE CORPS

From Naked in the Nile to Colonel in the Corps: One Man’s Epic Journey Will Make You Want to Live Harder

I just finished a book that left me staring at the wall for a solid ten minutes, half laughing, half wondering how one human being could possibly have packed so much life into one lifetime.

The book is Out of Africa and Into the Corps by Colonel Dan Hunter Wilson, USMC (Ret.).

And yes, the title is exactly that good.

Imagine being conceived in Bethlehem (the real one), born during a Pacific Northwest snowstorm, then shipped back as an infant to a mud-hut village on the banks of the Nile where your earliest memory is stripping naked so the local kids would stop feeling sorry for you. That’s page one.

From there it only gets wilder:

• Learning to swim in crocodile-infested waters because Dad literally threw you in (“sink or swim, son”).

• Throwing spears with Zulu warriors, hunting with Bushmen who taught you to track lions and kill black mambas with an air rifle before breakfast.

• Building a bridge in the Sudanese bush at 18 while the village chief tried to marry you off to his daughters.

• Then… enlisting in the Marines, rising from enlisted electronic warfare operator to Mustang Colonel, commanding in Desert Storm, Fallujah, Iraq again, the Pentagon, Parris Island, Okinawa, and somehow still finding time to get Black Belt in MCMAP, earn 23 Expert rifle/pistol badges, and fly a Cessna at age nine because Dad handed you the controls.

And that’s just the first half.

The second half is the part that will gut-punch you: the raw, unfiltered story of what happened when a truth-telling, irreverent, combat-proven Marine ran headlong into the military justice system. It’s ugly, it’s infuriating, and it’s told with zero self-pity and a lot of dark humor. You will finish Chapter 16 and want to throw the book across the room—then immediately pick it back up because you have to know how it ends.

Wilson writes like he talks: straight, funny, occasionally profane, always honest. He doesn’t polish the rough edges. He hands them to you and says, “Here. This is what actually happened. Can you handle the truth?”

The Kindle/e-book version is loaded with photos—actual snapshots from the Nile, Zululand, the Sudan, boot camp, Fallujah, the brig, retirement. They make the stories hit even harder.

If you’ve ever wondered what real resilience looks like, what servant leadership actually costs, or what it feels like to stare down crocodiles, terrorists, bureaucrats, and your own demons and still come out swinging—this is the book.

I’m not saying it’ll change your life.

I’m saying it might remind you what a life actually looks like when it’s lived at full throttle.

Grab it. Read it. Then go do something that scares you a little.

Out of Africa and Into the Corps is available right now on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, Kindle (with the pictures), and audiobook (read by the man himself—trust me, you want to hear him tell these stories).

You’re going to want this one on your shelf.

And you’re going to want to hand it to your kids someday and say, “This. This is how you live.”

Semper Fi, Colonel.

And thank you for the ride.

https://a.co/d/0j7TuwTh