Includes bibliographical references (pages 243-248) and index.
Contents:
Prologue -- Maps -- Part 1. The Army knows best -- A platoon of students : William H. Schneidewind -- The man who wanted to fly : Joseph A. Kennedy -- Part 2. Across the sea and over the Hump -- Jack of all trades : Robert Gara SouleĢ -- Dressed in Mainbocher : Eleanor Millican Frye -- An athlete on the high seas : Francis Rae Surprenant -- Talking logistics : Ike Minkovitz -- Around the world : Louis C. Thompson -- Part 3. Keep 'em rolling and flying -- The man with a perfect record : George H. Keating -- With a welder's torch for a weapon : James K. Neyland -- One of five : Orin F. Buffington -- Bearing witness : William A. Scott III -- On foot, on horseback, or in a sampan : Jack T. Coyle -- Defying the odds : Howard O. King -- Part 4. Going home -- Inside the secret city : Joyce Maddox Lunsford Kellam -- Helping, helping, helping : Frank Cone -- To see the world : Josephine Sanner Davis -- A southern lady in the ranks : Marie Touart Stepp -- Innovating and improvising : Randell A. Bostwick -- An engineer among the headstones : Francis D. Peterson -- Epilogue.
Summary:
"For decades, the dramatic stories of World War II soldiers have been the stuff of memoirs, interviews, novels, documentaries, and feature films. Yet the men and women who served in less visible roles, never engaging in physical combat, have received scant attention. Convinced that their depiction as pencil pushers, grease monkeys, or cowards was far from the truth, Rona Simmons embarked on a quest to discover the real story from the noncombat veterans themselves. She sat across from 19 veterans or their children, read their letters and journals, looked at photos, and touched their mementos: pieces of shrapnel, a Japanese sword, a porcelain tea set, a pair of wooden shoes, a marquisette wedding gown. Compiling these veterans' stories, Simmons follows them as they report for service, complete their training, and often ship out to stations thousands of miles from home. She shares their dreams to see combat and disappointment at receiving noncombat positions, as well as their selflessness and yearning for home. Ultimately, Simmons finds the noncombat veterans had far more in common with the frontline soldiers than differences. Simmons's extensive research gives us a more complete picture of the war effort, bringing long-overdue appreciation for the men and women whose everyday tasks, unexpected acts of sacrifice, and faith and humor contributed mightily to the ultimate outcome of World War II"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.