An epic narrative of World War II naval action that brings to life the sailors and exploits of the war's most decorated destroyer squadron. When Admiral William Halsey selected Destroyer Squadron 21 (Desron 21) to lead his victorious ships into Tokyo Bay to accept the Japanese surrender, it was the most battle-hardened US naval squadron of the war. But it was not the squadron of ships that had accumulated such an inspiring resume; it was the people serving aboard them. Sailors, not metallic superstructures and hulls, had won the battles and become the stuff of legend. Men like Commander Donald MacDonald, skipper of the USS O'Bannon, who became the most decorated naval officer of the Pacific war; Lieutenant Hugh Barr Miller, who survived his ship's sinking and waged a one-man battle against the enemy while stranded on a Japanese-occupied island; and Doctor Dow "Doc" Ransom, the beloved physician of the USS La Vallette, who combined a mixture of humor and medical expertise to treat his patients at sea, epitomize the sacrifices made by all the men and women of World War II. Through diaries, personal interviews with survivors, and letters written to and by the crews during the war, preeminent historian of the Pacific theater John Wukovits brings to life the human story of the squadron that bested the Japanese in the Pacific and helped take the war to Tokyo.
Wukovits tells of the most dramatic naval battle of the Pacific War and the incredible sacrifice of the USS "Samuel B. Roberts." Faced with the surprise appearance of more than 20 Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, the 1,200-ton "Samuel B. Roberts" turned immediately into action with six other ships.
“This riveting account of the heroic contributions of thirty-five chaplains and missionaries during World War II is nearly impossible to put down . . . inspiring.” —The Boston Pilot In Soldiers of a Different Cloth, New York Times-bestselling author and military historian John Wukovits tells the inspiring story of thirty-five chaplains and missionaries who, while garnering little acclaim, performed extraordinary feats of courage and persistence during World War II. Ranging in age from twenty-two to fifty-three, these University of Notre Dame priests and nuns were counselor, friend, parent, and older sibling to the young soldiers they served. These chaplains experienced the horrors of the Death March in the Philippines and the filthy holds of the infamous Hell Ships. They dangled from a parachute while descending toward German fire at Normandy and shivered in Belgium’s frigid snows during the Battle of the Bulge. They languished in German and Japanese prison camps, and stood speechless at Dachau. Based on a vast collection of letters, papers, records, and photographs in the archives of the University of Notre Dame, as well as other contemporary sources, Wukovits brings to life these nearly forgotten heroes who served wherever duty sent them and wherever the war dictated. Wukovits intertwines their stories on the battlefronts with their memories of Notre Dame. In their letters to their superior in South Bend, Indiana, they often asked about campus, the Grotto, and the football team. Soldiers of a Different Cloth will fascinate and engage all readers interested in the history of World War II and alumni, friends, and fans of the Fighting Irish.
From an expert in the Pacific theater of World War II comes the tragic story of the pilots who fought the last fight of the war during the first hour of peace When Billy Hobbs and his fellow Hellcat aviators from Air Group 88 lifted off from the venerable Navy carrier USS Yorktown early on the morning of August 15, 1945, they had no idea they were about to carry out the final air mission of World War II. Two hours later, Yorktown received word from Admiral Nimitz that the war had ended and that all offensive operations should cease. As they were turning back, twenty Japanese planes suddenly dove from the sky above them and began a ferocious attack. Four American pilots never returned—men who had lifted off from the carrier in wartime but were shot down during peacetime. Drawing on participant letters, diaries, and interviews, newspaper and radio accounts, and previously untapped archival records, historian and prolific author of acclaimed Pacific theater books, including Tin Can Titans and Hell from the Heavens, John Wukovits tells the story of Air Group 88's pilots and crew through their eyes. Dogfight over Tokyo is written in the same riveting, edge-of-your-seat style that has made Wukovits's previous books so successful. This is a stirring, one-of-a-kind tale of naval encounters and the last dogfight of the war—a story that is both inspirational and tragic.
From acclaimed historian John Wukovits, the untold story of the USS Laffey and her crew, who heroically withstood twenty-two kamikaze attacks at Okinawa which the US Navy describes Òas one of the great sea epics of the warÓ
For Dutton Caliber's American War Heroes series, the riveting true account of the Battle of Tarawa, an epic World War II clash in which the U.S. Marines fought the Japanese nearly to the last man. In November 1943, the men of the 2d Marine Division were instructed to clear out Japanese resistance on the Pacific island of Betio, a speck at the end of the Tarawa Atoll. When the Marines landed, the Japanese poured out of their underground bunkers—and launched one of the most brutal and bloody battles of World War II. For three straight days, attackers and defenders fought over every square inch of sand in a battle with no defined frontlines, and where there was no possibility of retreat—because there was nowhere to retreat to. It was a struggle that would leave both sides stunned and exhausted, and prove both the fighting mettle of the Americans and the fanatical devotion of the Japanese. Drawn from new sources, including participants’ letters and diaries and exclusive firsthand interviews with survivors, One Square Mile of Hell is the true story of a battle between two determined foes, neither of whom would ever look at the other in the same way again.
Provides an account of how Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson helped lay the foundation for Special Forces in the modern military through his leadership of the 2nd Raider Battalion in the jungles of Guadalcanal during World War II where he and his troops employed guerilla tactics against an entrenched Japanese force to disrupt their supply chain, inflict combat defeats, and gather valuable intelligence.
It happened in the shadow of Pearl Harbor—mere hours after the first attack on the day that would “live in infamy.” But few know the full story of Wake Island. Now a prominent military historian, breaking new ground on the assault, relates the compelling events of that day and the heroic struggle that followed. Thanks to the brave Marines stationed there-and the civilian construction workers who selflessly put their lives on the line to defend the island-what was supposed to be an easy victory became a protracted and costly battle for Imperial Japan. This is the story of that battle, from survivors on both sides, and with a gallery of historic photos.
The definitive biography of America's best-known naval officer, who commanded the legendary fast carrier force during WWII. From the tragic aftermath of Pearl Harbor, when he fashioned America's first response to the attack, to the war's final day in Tokyo Bay when he witnessed Japan's surrender, Admiral William F. Halsey stamped a mighty imprint on the Pacific during World War II. He led or participated significantly in the Navy's first offensive strikes against the Marshall Islands and Wake Island, the Guadalcanal campaign, and the offensive toward Japan. As a commander, he never shied from engaging the enemy, but boldly entered into battle, ready for a fight. As a consequence, Halsey became the face of the Navy and its most attractive public relations phenomenon. Due to his bold tactics and quotable wit, Halsey continues to be a beloved and debated figure. In this balanced biography, historian John Wukovits illuminates the life of a man who ultimately deserves recognition as one the great naval commanders in U.S. history. Europe had Patton; the Pacific had Admiral William "the Bull" Halsey.
The forgotten story of American war hero Eddie Rickenbacker's crash landing in the Pacific during World War II, and his incredible twenty-three-day crusade to keep his crew alive In the darkest days of World War II, an unlikely civilian was sent to deliver a letter from Washington to General MacArthur in New Guinea. Eddie Rickenbacker was a genuine icon, a pioneer of aviation, the greatest fighter pilot of the First World War, recipient of the Medal of Honor, who’d retired to become a renowned race car driver. Now in his fifties, one of the most admired men in America, Rickenbacker was again serving his nation, riding high above the Pacific as a passenger aboard a B-17. But soon the plane was forced to crash-land on the ocean surface, leaving its eight occupants adrift in tiny rubber life rafts, hundreds of miles from the nearest speck of land. Lacking fresh water and with precious little food, the men faced days of unrelenting sun, followed by nights shivering in the cold, fighting pangs of hunger, exhaustion, and thirst, all the while circled by sharks. Each prayed to see a friendly vessel on the horizon, and dreaded the arrival of a Japanese warship. Meanwhile, as the US Navy scoured the South Pacific, American radio and newspapers back home parsed every detail of Rickenbacker's disappearance, and an adoring public awaited news of his fate. Using survivors’ accounts and contemporary records, award-winning author John Wukovits brings to life a gripping story of survival, leadership, and faith in a time of crisis.
For Dutton Caliber's American War Heroes series, the dramatic tale of Marine Corps legend Chesty Puller, focusing on his combat service during the Pacific War. Chesty Puller is an American legend. He began his career fighting guerrillas in Haiti and Nicaragua during the 1920s and 1930s before displaying astonishing battlefield bravery in the Pacific during World War II. From Henderson Field to Peleliu, his courage under fire and unbreakable devotion to his men inspired not just those under his own command but marines everywhere. As the war marched on, one bloody battle after another, Chesty became the most decorated marine in U.S. history. Now, acclaimed World War II historian John Wukovits tells the story of Chesty Puller's heroism in the Pacific War.
This informative edition tells the story of the Manhattan Project. The book describes how the project came to fruition, the people involved, and the impact that the nuclear bomb had on World War II. The book also details the lives of the people who worked on the project along with that of their families and how they had to basically cut all ties to the outside world.
Presents a biography of the star of the television show "Home Improvement," focusing on how he turned his life around after serving a prison sentence for selling illegal drugs.
In 1931, nine African American teens were accused of raping two white women on a train traveling between Chattanooga and Memphis. During the first trial in Scottsboro, all of the defendants were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death despite medical evidence supporting their innocence. Subsequent appeals of this verdict turned the Scottsboro case into a high-profile example of the injustices that the African American community experienced at the hands of the American judicial system. This informative edition takes a critical look at the story of the Scottsboro Boys and the controversial train ride that sparked outrage across the nation.
Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order calling for the relocation of over 100,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps throughout the United States. The internment uprooted thousands of families and created deep divides between American-born Japanese and older immigrants. The legacy of this event remains at the center of many human rights abuse discussions today. This edition includes a timeline of events, sources for further research, engaging photographs, and a detailed subject index. This book also includes the discussion of topics such as prejudice in America, what life was like for those interned, and the lasting legacy and consequences of forced relocation.
For many Americans, December 7th is a milestone date in the course of American history because it marks the formal entry of the United States into World War II. With more than 2,300 sailors killed in action, eight battleships sunk or damaged, and over 100 planes destroyed, the attack left the United States Navy severely crippled. This was not an isolated act of aggression. It was flashpoint at the end of a decade of worsening relations between the United States and Japan. This compelling volume offers an analysis of the attack on Pearl Harbor to broaden student awareness of the event through accessible language, maps, and vivid pictures. Chapters explore relevant topics including Japanese aggression in China, the preparations the United States made for war, the devastation of battleship row and the naval base, reactions to the attack and moves toward recovery, and the political and strategic aftermath.
The Victorian era takes its name from Queen Victoria, who ruled over Great Britain during a time of revolution, popular emancipation from monarchical rule, metric industry growth, urban decay, and imperial expansion. This compelling edition examines the events and the eccentric personalities of the Victorian era. Chapters present relevant topics in accessible language, maps, and timelines to facilitate student research. Topics analyzed in this edition include: the new world under Queen Victoria, innovations in technology and industrialization, the splendor and the abuses of Victorian England, various reform movements, life and leisure, and the eventual decline of the Victorian era.
This biography provides readers with a look at the life of Oscar-winning actor George Clooney. Chapters include coverage of his childhood, his experiences breaking into acting, and his more recent activities with acting, directing, and producing. Clooney's interest in ending genocide brought the issue to the forefront of news for a long time, using his fame as a platform for civil change.
Some kids find having a famous parent overwhelming. Others struggle to shine in the shadow of an older sibling. Eli Manning, son of legendary Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning and younger brother of NFL star quarterback Peyton Manning, faced a double challenge. This profile offers insight into the life and career of Eli, the youngest Manning, who followed in his father's footsteps to Ole Miss and went on to lead the New York Giants to a stunning victory in Super Bowl XLII, winning the MVP award just one year after his older brother. A detailed timeline of important biographical dates and an extensive bibliography provide readers with a gateway to further research and inquiry.
A companion to the Indigenous Peoples of North America series, this primary source anthology provides detailed, first-person accounts about the social, cultural, and political history of North America's native peoples. Documents provide insights into family and community life, religious practices and beliefs, warfare and conflict, and contemporary existence.
Describes the exploits of some of the men in the Old West, including John Wesley Hardin, Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, and James Butler Hickok, who earned reputations for being deadly with a gun.
Discusses the origins and history of the winter Olympics, describes the development and rules of each sport, profiles stars from earlier games, and offers statistics and lists of winners.
Fulfills the standards: "Culture," "Individuals, Groups, and Institutions," "Power, Authority, and Governance," and "Science, Technology, and Society" from the National Council for the Social Studies Curriculum Standards for High School.Fulfills the standards: "Chronological Thinking," "Historical Comprehension," "Historical Analysis and Interpretation," and "Historical Research Capabilities" from the National History Education Standards for American History, Grades 5-12.
Describes what it was like to be an American prisoner of war held by the Germans or Japanese during World War II, discussing the physical conditions, emotional turmoil, and difficult transition to freedom after harsh imprisonment.
A biography of the man who created Microsoft, from his childhood to his battle in court after being accused of having a monopoly in the computer industry.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.