John F Wukovits

"The forgotten story of American war hero Eddie Rickenbacker's crash landing in the Pacific during World War II, and his incredible 23-day crusade to keep his crew alive"--

In November 1943, the men of the 2nd Marine Division were instructed to clear out any token Japanese resistance on the Pacific island of Betio and return to their waiting ships. But when the Marines landed, the surviving Japanese poured out of their protective subterranean bunkers and began 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...

The destroyer USS Laffey (DD-724), second in World War Two to bear that name, was attacked by twenty-two kamikaze pilots and survived severe damage in April 1945 during the invasion of Okinawa. Drawing extensively on letters written by crew members, as well as interviews with and memoirs of survivors, this narrative for general readers, history buffs, and scholars describes the April 16, 1945, battle at sea, when the USS Laffey was attacked by 22...

Examines the lives of American infantrymen in Europe during World War II, describing their fears, combat experiences, leisure activities, homecomings, and more.

"To list the major campaigns Admiral Halsey helped lead is to glimpse the entirety of the struggle against Japan during the Pacific War. He led or participated significantly in the Navy's first offensive strikes of the war against the Marshall Islands and Wake Island, the Guadalcanal campaign, and the occupation of Japan. As a commander, he never shied away from enemy engagement, but always boldly entered into battle, ready for a fight. Here, historian...

Recounts the lives and aerial achievements of some of the most famous flying aces in World War I, including Manfred von Richthofen, Eddie Rickenbacker, Edward "Mick" Mannock, Albert Ball, Jr., Rene Fonck, and Georges Guynemer.