Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit 2017
Some of the best history is personal—that which is collected from participants in great events and movements. In William R. Graser’s book, Veterans’ Reflections: History Preserved, we are offered stories and vignettes from those who serve in the United States military, in their own words from World War II to Afghanistan.
Each segment starts with an explanation of the conflict, its background and causes, followed by interviewee accounts.
The first such account comes from Clement Hutchins, age 93 in 2011, who served in World War II with the Merchant Marines. In the North Atlantic, prey to attacks from the German “Wolf Pack” submarines, Hutchins recalls “one evening in particular when nine merchant ships were sunk in less than fifteen minutes.”
Samuel Masessa, was an infantryman in Korea, where, he states, “the cold became the enemy.” He recounts a battle between American tanks and Chinese troops in a sudden attack that left many enemy soldiers dead; he and his comrades then used flamethrowers to destroy the bodies in a grim task “to prevent disease and eliminate the smell.”
Richard Matthews, was a navigator, who served in the US Air Force in the sky over Cambodia and Laos, said “I don’t make a lot of noise about my awards and decorations. In reality we were just soldiers, airmen, marines, sailors and guardians doing what we were trained to do and dedicated to doing.”
Graser wrote Veterans’ Reflections to increase our general understanding of American warfare through the eyes of those who were there.
This book is a remarkable tribute to the sacrifice made by our veterans who fought for our country. Veterans’ Reflections is compelling and inspiring to say the least. Our heroes deserve to be heard. Highly Recommended
