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Always Faithful by William Putney, DVM (2001)— This is a great book that should be read not only by historians, but by every dog lover! Dr, Putney was the platoon commander for one of the first war dog units. His story follows the Devil Dogs (human & K-9) from their training at Camp Lejeune right through the end of the war. Battle Cry by Leon Uris (1953)— A great novel that tells the story of Huxley's Whores in World War II. It begins in boot camp in San Diego, and follows the radio squad in H&S 2/6 from Guadalcanal to Saipan. Mr. Uris was a Marine in the war, and his narrative provides a gripping look into the world of the combat Gyrene.
Brotherhood of Heroes by Bill Sloan (2005)— An outstanding overview of the Peleliu campaign. The author builds his story around first-hand accounts of Marines who served on the island. This is one of the best modern histories of the Pacific war. Combat Surgeon by Dr. James S. Vedder (1984)— The author served as a battalion surgeon in the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. This is an outstanding personal memoir about the Devil Docs who served side by side with the Gyrenes of World War II. Coral Comes High by George Hunt (1945)— The story of a Marine rifle company in combat. This is an incredible book that was almost impossible to find for many years. Mr. Hunt was the CO of K 3/1 on Peleliu, and he wrote this book after the battle, while stationed on Pavuvu. This book ranks in the same class as Company Commander.
Flags of Our Fathers by James Bradley (2000)— The story of the Iwo Jima flag raisers, written by the son of Navy Doc John Bradley. An incredible story of one of the iconic moments in U. S. history. You can't help but be gripped by the bravery and humility of the World War II Marine when you read this book. Joe Rosenthal's famous photo of anonymous flag raisers inspired a nation, and became an icon of American history. This book brings the flag raisers to life. Thank you, Mr. Bradley, for telling their story. Goodbye Darkness by William Manchester (1980)— The author served in the Marine Corps in World War II & was later a world renowned historian. In this book he delves deeply into his wartime experiences. Brutally honest, this book is a WW2 Gyrene "must read." Gyrene The World War II United States Marine by Wilbur D. Jones (1998)— This book is full of information that isn't usually found in battle histories. It tells the story of daily life in the Corps during the war. From sick call, life on a troop ship to liberty, it's all in here.
Helmet for my Pillow by Robert Leckie (1957)— an outstanding story of infantry combat in the Pacific. Mr. Leckie served on Guadalcanal & Cape Gloucester with the 1st Marine Division. Marine at War by Russell Davis (1961)— This is another great war memoir of an infantry Marine in combat. It's a shame that this book isn't better known, because Mr. Davis' writings of his war experiences rank among the best of the genre. He served with 2/1 at Peleliu and Okinawa. The Marine Corps Book of Lists by Albert Nofi (1997)— This isn't specifically related to World War II, but it covers every era in the Corps' history. It's packed with Marine Corps trivia, scuttlebutt, facts & figures. One Square Mile of Hell by John Wukovitz (2007) — This amazing book is an important addition to the World War II Gyrene library. It tells the story of the battle from several perspectives with the sharp focus on infantry Marines and tankers.
Once a Legend by Jon T. Hoffman (1994)— The biography of "Red Mike" Edson, truly one of the Giants of the Corps. An Old Corps Marine who was a Medal of Honor recipient at Guadalcanal, Red Mike went on to fight his toughest battles in the post-war unification debates. Pacific Warriors by Eric Hammel (2005)— This is a large format history of the Corps' participation in World War II. It includes hundreds of outstanding pictures with well-researched text. Semper Fi, Mac by Henry Berry (1983)— The author conducted a series of detailed interviews with World War II Marines. The results can be found in this book. It's an outstanding group of stories about the World War II Gyrene. Storm Landings by Col Joseph Alexander USMC (Ret) (1997)— This book details in a very interesting manner the development of America's amphibious power in World War II. Col Alexander effectively blends gripping combat narratives along with the development of amphibious tactics and equipment. Strong Men Armed – The U.S. Marines vs. Japan by Robert Leckie (1962)—a readable and factual study of the campaigns on World War II. Mr. Leckie was a World War II Marine and does a great job of blending the personal side of war with the big picture of the Pacific campaigns.
The Long Road of War by James W. Johnston (1998)— A powerful memoir of a Marine who served on Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa with E 2/5. It's a shame that this book isn't better known. The U. S. Marine Corps in World War II edited by S. E. Smith (1969)—An outstanding collection of stories that tells the Corps' story from Wake Island to post-war China. First person accounts, newspaper stories, and after action reviews bring the Pacific war to vivid life. With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa by E. B. Sledge (1981)— One of the very best personal memoirs of the World War II era. Mr. Sledge served with K/3/5 in two of the toughest campaigns in American military history. A WW2Gyrene "must-read!" To purchase any of the above listed books, go to AbeBooks to search by title, keyword, or author. (NOTE: I don't receive any money from AbeBooks for putting their link on this page, and it's not an ad for their business. I've bought many books from them, and have always found their prices fair, and their inventory huge.)
The official USMC reading list
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This site is owned & maintained by Mark Flowers, copyright 2004, all rights reserved.
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