Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the PacificA remarkable eyewitness account of the most brutal combat of the Pacific War, from Peleliu to Okinawa, this is the true story of R.V. Burgin, the real-life World War II Marine Corps hero featured in HBOŽ's The Pacific. “Read his story and marvel at the man...and those like him.”—Tom Hanks When a young Texan named R.V. Burgin joined the Marines 1942, he never imagined what was waiting for him a world away in the Pacific. There, amid steamy jungles, he encountered a ferocious and desperate enemy in the Japanese, engaging them in some of the most grueling and deadly fights of the war. In this remarkable memoir, Burgin reveals his life as a special breed of Marine. Schooled by veterans who had endured the cauldron of Guadalcanal, Burgin’s company soon confronted snipers, repulsed jungle ambushes, encountered abandoned corpses of hara-kiri victims, and warded off howling banzai attacks as they island-hopped from one bloody battle to the next. In his two years at war, Burgin rose from a green private to a seasoned sergeant, fighting from New Britain through Peleliu and on to Okinawa, where he earned a Bronze Star for valor. With unforgettable drama and an understated elegance, Burgin’s gripping narrative stands alongside those of classic Pacific chroniclers like Robert Leckie and Eugene Sledge—indeed, Burgin was even Sledge’s platoon sergeant. Here is a deeply moving account of World War II, bringing to life the hell that was the Pacific War. |
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Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the Pacific R.V. Burgin,Bill Marvel No preview available - 2011 |
Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the Pacific R. V. Burgin,Bill Marvel No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
afternoon airfield already amtracs Army artillery asked Battalion beach Britain Burgin called camp carrying caves close coming commander Company couple dark deck didn’t Division east face feet fighting finally fire five Florence four foxhole front getting going ground guns guys hands happened head hear heard hell Higgins boats hill hundred island Japs killed knew land later Lieutenant looked March Marines miles minutes months morning mortar moved needed never night officer Okinawa ordered passed Pavuvu Peleliu picked planes pretty pulled rain rest ridge rifle road running Second sent sergeant Seventh shells ship shot side Sledge soon standing started stopped sure talk tanks tell tent thing Third thought told took train trees turned waiting walked watch we’d week whole wounded yards yelled