And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Tead the book years ago while serving in the Marines. During my career, I made it to Okinawa three times. I visited several of the sites mention in the book. Some have been taken over by urban sprall. Others have been saved and are part of a tour. You could still see the shrapnel scars on the walls of headquarters where the commander and staff committed suicide by grenade. Okinawa was a very nasty battle. I hate that Tricky Dick gave it to Japan. The Japanese government had just about destroyed what was left of the Okinawan people and culture when I was last there in ‘93.
This book, with worn pages from numerous reads, rests on the top shelf of my book case. It's a great read. Sledge Hammer was a member of the greatest generation.
His story of waving away the flies from his food... I've seen a cloud on a dead cow, but on dead men, then coming for my food, too? Nope.... And the fox holes on the slope..... I just about gagged. And the mortar tube outhouses... THOSE are the stories no one tells. What those guys went thru.... My uncle fought there.... nicest guy ever...
RIP uncle Jack. He lied about his age to join the Marines, was on Peleliu and Okinawa, came back to get a BS in Physics with the GI Bill and had a long career at IBM. Truly the greatest generation.
Who do you think served in the military or in industry building that which the Soviet Union or China could not come close to thus forcing an end to the Cold War. Who do you think went to Vietnam and other places that no one mentions anymore? Dave
A fellow coworker, who was an ex marine highly recommend the book. He had read it numerous times, knew I liked history. I would highly recommend it Semper Fi.
With all due respect... there are only "Marines." There is no such thing as an "ex-Marine" or a "former-Marine." There are Active Duty Marnes and Marine Veterans. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Basis for at least one of the stories depicted in The Pacific
ReplyDeleteTead the book years ago while serving in the Marines. During my career, I made it to Okinawa three times. I visited several of the sites mention in the book. Some have been taken over by urban sprall. Others have been saved and are part of a tour. You could still see the shrapnel scars on the walls of headquarters where the commander and staff committed suicide by grenade. Okinawa was a very nasty battle. I hate that Tricky Dick gave it to Japan. The Japanese government had just about destroyed what was left of the Okinawan people and culture when I was last there in ‘93.
ReplyDeleteThis book, with worn pages from numerous reads, rests on the top shelf of my book case. It's a great read. Sledge Hammer was a member of the greatest generation.
ReplyDeleteHis story of waving away the flies from his food... I've seen a cloud on a dead cow, but on dead men, then coming for my food, too? Nope.... And the fox holes on the slope..... I just about gagged. And the mortar tube outhouses... THOSE are the stories no one tells. What those guys went thru.... My uncle fought there.... nicest guy ever...
ReplyDeleteRIP uncle Jack. He lied about his age to join the Marines, was on Peleliu and Okinawa, came back to get a BS in Physics with the GI Bill and had a long career at IBM. Truly the greatest generation.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless and keep your Uncle Jack; so many like him then, so few like him now
DeleteBoat Guy
This is perhaps one of the BEST books ever written about the US Marines in WW-2.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why an endorsement from Tom Hanks carries any value. - Snakepit
ReplyDeleteBoomers have no culture or history unless it's filtered through the television or Hollywood.
DeleteAND since Hanks was shit canned from being honored by West Point, his street credit is down to zero. At least for me and my Vietnam veteran buddies.
DeleteAnon, what have you done for America?
DeleteWho do you think served in the military or in industry building that which the Soviet Union or China could not come close to thus forcing an end to the Cold War. Who do you think went to Vietnam and other places that no one mentions anymore?
Dave
Every American should read this book.
ReplyDeleteA fellow coworker, who was an ex marine highly recommend the book. He had read it numerous times, knew I liked history. I would highly recommend it Semper Fi.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect... there are only "Marines." There is no such thing as an "ex-Marine" or a "former-Marine." There are Active Duty Marnes and Marine Veterans. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
DeleteHis son, Henry Sledge, also wrote a book "The Old Breed - The Complete Story Revealed" which documents unused material from Eugene.
ReplyDeleteAnd another most awesome book about WW-2 Marines.
DeleteSemper Fidelis!
ReplyDelete