Louis A. DiMarco

Meet Louis A. DiMarco

Louis A. DiMarco is a military historian, artist, and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel with over 24 years of service as an armored cavalry officer. His military career included commanding a cavalry troop, instructing at the U.S. Army Armor School, and serving in staff roles from division level to joint headquarters. He was also a doctrine writer for the Armor School and for the Army's Combined Arms Command. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy, a Master’s in Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Salve Regina University, and a Ph.D. in History from Kansas State University.

DiMarco has authored several important works, including War Horse: A History of the Military Horse and Rider (2008), Concrete Hell: Modern Urban Operations from Stalingrad to Iraq (2012), and Fighting Cavalry: The Tactical Evolution of the US Army's Mechanized Cavalry in World War II (2021). Concrete Hell is regarded as a seminal study of urban warfare, featured on the Army Chief of Staff’s Professional Reading List, and used as a text at military academies and war colleges in the U.S., Germany, and South Korea. His most recent work is Blue Bellies in the South: The US Army and the Reconstruction of the Southern States, 1863-1877.

His writings have appeared in a broad range of professional journals and magazines, including Armor, Military Review, Proceedings, Parameters, Small Wars Journal, Global War Studies Journal, Desperta Ferro, Canadian Army Journal, and Strategein. He has also been published by the Association of the U.S. Army and the Combat Studies Institute. DiMarco's work covers diverse military topics, such as armored cavalry and reconnaissance, urban warfare, counterinsurgency, and civil affairs​

Military Historian and Artist

Expert in Urban Warfare

Louis A. DiMarco is a recognized expert in the field of urban warfare, drawing on a combination of scholarly research, practical military experience, and a deep understanding of military history. His expertise is particularly highlighted in his comprehensive analysis of urban operations, as exemplified by his work, Concrete Hell: Urban Operations from Stalingrad to Iraq. In this book and other writings, DiMarco delves into the complexities of fighting in urban environments, offering insights into the strategic, tactical, and logistical challenges posed by dense city terrain.

DiMarco’s analysis spans historical case studies, from the intense battles of Stalingrad during World War II to the intricacies of modern urban conflicts in cities like Mosul, Kiev and Fallujah. He explores how urban settings transform traditional military operations, requiring adaptation in command structures, small-unit tactics, and the integration of intelligence with ground operations. His work emphasizes the importance of understanding both the physical and human terrain in urban combat, recognizing the influence of civilian populations, infrastructure, and cultural dynamics on military outcomes.

With a background as both a military historian and an Army officer, DiMarco combines academic rigor with practical insights into military strategy. His experience in the U.S. Army further informs his understanding of the operational realities soldiers face in urban combat zones, making him a respected voice in discussions about modern warfare and urban combat strategies. His work in the area of Urban Operations has been used by numerous foreign militaries, and translated into over a half dozen languages.

Contact Louis A. DiMarco

Get in touch to discuss military history, urban warfare, or artistic collaborations. Your inquiries are welcome and appreciated.

Contact:

dimarcol@aol.com