Bücher veröffentlicht von Uncommon Valor Press

Fire Mission, first published in 1957, is author William Mulvihill's fictional account of a U.S. Army field artillery battery during World War II, from just before the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, to the capture of the bridge at Remagen in March 1945. Described through the eyes of a number of characters are the hardships endured by the common soldier fighting in the bitter cold with inadequate food, equipment and shelter.

One of the Fifteen Million, first published in 1952, is Ukrainian Nicholas Prychodko's sobering account of his arrest, imprisonment, torture, and eventual exile to Siberia by the Soviet government in the late 1930s. As the author states, his offense was "thinking free thoughts in a slave state." In a near-miracle, his mother traveled to Moscow and the Kremlin, and was able to win a pardon for her son from a sympathetic official. Making his way back to the Ukraine, Prychodko found work as a teacher, but again facing arrest, he decides to go into hiding rather than face years of hard labor in the Siberian gulag. In a strange twist of fate, the approaching German army in 1941 proved to be his salvation, and the author begins a journey to freedom in Canada.

Prisoner of the OGPU, first published in 1935, is a firsthand account of the author's 4 years in the Soviet gulag (1928-32) at the hands of the Soviet secret police (known as the OGPU at the time, later renamed the NKVD, MGB, and KGB). At the time of his arrest, George Kitchin, a Finnish citizen, was working in Russia as a representative for an American firm. He was charged with violating an obscure regulation, held in prison, and then sent to a labor camp located in northern Russia where he describes the brutalities he endured and witnessed. The book also offers excellent insights into the running of the camps as Kitchin was able to work in the camp's administration offices (in addition to sometimes being sent to work on the timber-cutting and road-building labor crews).The OGPU was one of several in a succession of state security agencies created by the Soviets. the first group was the Cheka, created by Vladimir Lenin on December 20, 1917. The main task of the Cheka was to combat counter-revolutionary activity, which included arresting, torturing, and executing thousands. Soldiers belonging to the Cheka were tasked with: policing labor camps, running the Gulag system, subjecting political opponents to arrests, detention, torture and execution, and subduing rebellions or riots by the workers or peasants. The Cheka was followed by the GPU, the State Political Directorate, in 1922. The GPU was renamed again in 1923 to the OGPU, the United State Political Administration.

Escape in Italy, first published in 1945, is the account of U.S. Army Ranger Lt. William Newnan, who found himself a prisoner-of-war after a failed Allied offensive at Cisterna, Italy, in the Anzio campaign. However, Newnan did not stay a prisoner for long. After a clever and daring escape, he walked from near Arezzo to Rome, aided by friendly Italians along the way. In Rome, he remained in hiding until American forces reclaimed the city. Upon Newnan's return to the U.S., he related his story to a group of family friends one evening, his words were taken down in shorthand and transcribed onto paper, and finally, his account was published by his alma mater, The University of Michigan. Following his daring escape in Italy and return to the U.S., Newnan would go on to serve in another elite fighting unit in China.

Escape from Java, first published in 1943, recounts the Japanese invasion and occupation of Java (a Dutch colony at the time and now part of Indonesia) during World War Two. The authors describe their experiences under Japanese rule, then decide to escape the island in a small fishing boat. They take to the sea and travel across west across the vast Indian Ocean until they eventually reach a British outpost on the island of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean. Escape from Java provides a in-depth look at life under Japanese rule and the factors that drove the men to risk everything to escape to freedom. Included are seven pages of illustrations.

Enemy in Sight, first published in 1943, is an authoritative book on the activities of the British Royal Navy and Merchant Marine in the 1940-1942 period of World War Two. Author Stanley Rogers describes all the naval battles of that time, including the sinking of the formidable German battleship Bismarck, the history of the aircraft carrier Illustrious, the capture of a German U-Boat, the Dunkirk rescue flotilla, German E-Boats, stories of survival at sea, and much more, making Enemy in Sight a valuable historical resource and essential reading on the Allied navies and their crews in the Second World War. Included are 16 pages of photographs.

Ernie Pyle in England, first published in 1941, is the account of the journalist's stay in England, Scotland and Wales during the height of the German bombing blitz on London and other cities of the United Kingdom. Pyle, one of the most famous correspondents of the Second World War, had an easy-going, 'folksy'-style of writing, making the book an enjoyable yet informative read about the conditions he encountered. His descriptions of the effects of the bombing, nights spent in air raid shelters, food- and gas-rationing, and daily life in London remain classic pieces of war-time reporting. Pyle would later report from Europe, Africa, and the Pacific, with his accounts appearing in some 300 American newspapers. Sadly, near the end of the war (on April 18, 1945), Pyle was hit by Japanese machine-gun fire on the island of Ieshima (northwest of Okinawa). He was 44 at the time of his death.

Escape from Corregidor, first published in 1958, is the harrowing account of Edgar Whitcomb, a B-17 navigator who arrives in World War II Philippines just before its capture by the invading Japanese. He evades the enemy on Bataan by traveling to Corregidor Island in a small boat. However, Whitcomb is captured but later manages to escape at night in an hours-long swim to safety. Captured once again weeks later, Whitcomb is imprisoned, tortured and starved, before being transferred to China and eventual freedom.Whitcomb (1917-2016) served as governor of the state of Indiana from 1969-1973, and in later life made a number of solo sailing voyages before returning to his home state.

Eddie Rickenbacker, first published in 1946, is the biography of American World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973). The book portrays Eddie's life through World War II, providing details of his childhood, his career as a race-car driver and owner of the Indianapolis Speedway, his experiences in France as a highly decorated flier, his efforts to create a car company, and finally, his harrowing crash landing in the Pacific in 1942 followed by 24 days adrift at sea. Included are 10 pages of illustrations. Rickenbacker would go on, following the Second World War, to become the long-time head of Eastern Airlines.

Duel of Wits, first published in 1953 (and including the earlier published book Of Their Own Choice) is Peter Churchill's account of his experiences with the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E.) in France during World War II. The S.O.E., similar to the American O.S.S. (predecessor of the C.I.A.) was formed to conduct espionage and sabotage in occupied Europe, and to aid local resistance movements. The book describes Churchill's training in England and his four missions into occupied France, including two harrowing night-time parachute drops and two submarine landings. Notable too is the underlying love story with Odette Sansom, another Allied agent (code-named Lise), who along with Churchill were captured, imprisoned, and tortured for two years until the war's end. Churchill's narrative ends with their capture by the Germans; his prison experiences are related in The Spirit in the Cage, published in 1954.

Defeat in the West, first published in 1948, is a well-documented, comprehensive account of Germany's loss in World War Two, based on author Milton Shulman's interviews with top German generals, corroborated by his fact-checking research (Shulman was an officer on the Intelligence Staff of the Canadian Army). As stated in the Introduction, the book's objectives were to tell the story of the defeat of the German Wehrmacht (Armed Forces) in western Europe, to investigate the causes that brought about that defeat, and to show how soldiers, from commanders to foot-soldiers, reacted to the bitter experience of defeat. Defeat in the West, unlike many books in the genre, succeeds in making this important topic understandable and is a true pleasure to read. Included are 7 maps.

The Drainpipe Diary, first published in 1957, is the moving account by an American nurse of her internment at Santo Tomas in Manila during World War II. She began her detailed diary on January 5, 1942, the date she was to have married her fiancé, but which instead marked the beginning of three long years of internment in the Santo Tomas Camp. As the war turned against the Japanese, conditions in the camp steadily worsened, food and medical supplies became inadequate, and deaths among the internees increased. The author's diary recounts day-to-day life and concerns in the camp, with Cates determined to document her experience despite the dangers it posed if discovered. The diary continues until liberation of the camp by American troops in February 1945, and ends on June 24, 1945, when she and her fiancée finally wed before returning to the United States. Tressa Cates passed away in 1991.

Deliver Us From Evil, first published in 1956, is Dr. Tom Dooley's moving account of his humanitarian work in the newly divided Vietnam aboard U.S. Navy refugee ships and in refugee camps in the turbulent years of 1954-55. The book focuses on American efforts to evacuate Vietnamese from Communist-controlled areas, and Dooley's work in camps, hospitals and orphanages with those needing medical care. Included are 32 pages of photographs. Dooley, born in 1927, passed away in 1961 from cancer at the age of 34. Deliver Us From Evil was the first of 3 books he wrote about his experiences in Vietnam and Laos. Thomas Dooley's too-short life remains an inspiration, and was cited as an example by President John F. Kennedy during the formation of the Peace Corps. Dooley's work with orphaned children continues today via the Dooley Foundation-Intermed International.

Conquer: The Story Of Ninth Army 1944-1945, first published in 1947, is a comprehensive history of the U.S. 9th Army from September 1944, to the end of the war in Europe and the unit's occupation of Germany. Detailed are the 9th Army's activities in Brest and Brittany, the November Offensive, and crossings of the Rhine, Ruhr and Elbe Rivers. Included are numerous photographs and maps, a chronology of events from May 22, 1944 to October 10, 1945, listings of key Headquarters personnel, officers and enlisted men, and unit statistics.

Dawn like Thunder: The Barbary Wars and the Birth of the U.S. Navy, first published in 1963, is the definitive account of the fledgling Navy and Marine Corps of the United States in the early 1800s. The book details the struggle of American ships such as the USS Constitution and Constellation against the pirates and Muslim warlords of the Mediterranean and North Africa in what would become known as the Barbary Wars. Also covered are the key players of the time, from presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, to talented naval officers such as Edward Preble and Stephen Decatur. In addition, the ongoing political battles to obtain funding for the Navy and the construction of needed ships are described. Author Glenn Tucker (1892-1976) conducted extensive research in the preparation of Dawn like Thunder, including research at the archives in Tripoli; he was the author of more than a dozen books on American history.

Chronology of the U.S. Army in World War II, 1941-1945, first published in 1960, is an authoritative day-by-day account of the U.S. Army and enemy forces between December 7, 1941 until the war's end in late 1945. Covering all theaters, the Chronology remains a leading reference on the events of the war, and includes a useful list of operation codewords and a massive index of more than 100 pages.

The Coastwatchers, originally published in 1946, is the story of the brave men and women who served behind enemy lines as observers and reporters of enemy movements in the South Pacific during Wold War II. Their dedication in the face of numerous daunting challenges - betrayal by natives, capture by the Japanese, and isolation and loneliness - remains inspiring to this day. Their efforts were critical to the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.The Coastwatchers was written immediately after the war by Eric Feldt, the first commander of the operation code-named Ferdinand. His intimate knowledge of the operation, and his familiarity with the islands and their people, provide a unique perspective on this important piece of military history. Included in this edition are the original maps, plus a new Introduction by Steve W. Chadde and several pages of photographs.

"We Can Take It", first published in 1935, is an early history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.). The C.C.C., considered one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's most successful New Deal programs, operated from 1933 to 1942 and provided natural resource-related work for young men, ages 18-25, during the Great Depression. In the program's nine years, 3 million young men participated in the C.C.C. In return for their work, the men received training in a variety of skills, living quarters, clothing, and food, and a small wage of $30 a month ($25 of which had to be sent home to their families). The accomplishments of the C.C.C. remain evident today in the nation's national forests, parks, roads and trails. Included are 10 pages of well-executed pen and ink illustrations.In "We Can Take It", author Ray Hoyt provides an on-the-scene look at the C.C.C. several years after its formation. He was with the men in camp, ate at their mess tables, and read thousands of letters describing their work, their play, their reactions to camp life and their officers, and their thoughts about their families at home and about their government. The book attempts to capture both the tangibles of the program - what the men achieved - as well as the "spirit" of the C.C.C. As the author states, "It is hoped that this short story of the C.C.C. will call general attention to a nation's great attempt to conserve the 'national resources' of the country; to the thousands of young men who are participating in this gigantic 'experiment' in natural and human conservation and rehabilitation; and to the new patriotism that has sprung from their contact with nature, government, and the need of a job."

Can Do!, first published in 1944, is a fascinating account of the formation and Second World War activities of the U.S. Navy 'Seabees' (from 'C.B.' - construction battalion). The book covers projects of the Seabees throughout the South Pacific, the Aleutian Islands, and in Italy, as well as numerous personal stories of the men as they faced enemy attacks, for example, while attempting to construct vital island runways. Their skill and competence in critical trades such as construction, engineering, pipe-laying, electricity, and plumbing, and their positive 'Can Do!' attitude in the face of danger and difficult conditions were critical in the Allied effort to win the war and remain an inspiration to younger generations. This unabridged reprint edition includes 70 pages of drawings and photographs of Seabee activities throughout the world.

Berlin Command, first published in 1950, is Brig. General Frank Howley's account of his four-year tenure in post-World War II Berlin with the U.S. Military Government. Filled with stories of Soviet complicity in undermining Allied efforts to rebuild the city, the book is throughout a testament to the ideals of freedom and democracy and the American determination to remain in Berlin, even though surrounded by a hostile opponent willing to lie, cheat, kidnap, rape, and steal to achieve its ends. Howley oversaw Allied efforts to counter the Soviets, and was instrumental in organizing massive airlifts of food, heating fuel, and other supplies that meant survival for the hungry, cold Berliners. General Howley was an unsung hero of the early Cold War period, and Berlin Command is a fascinating account of this historic period when Europe's fate was still being decided.

Dunkirk, first published in 1948, is the classic, detailed account of the rescue operation of the British Expeditionary Force (and allied soldiers) in May 1940 from the beaches of Dunkirk, France. Author Arthur (A. D.) Divine crossed the English Channel three times in a 35-foot boat to rescue trapped British soldiers, part of a fleet made up of every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian, and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated, but at a great cost in life and with a tremendous amount of materiel left behind on the Dunkirk beaches. Includes an index and appendices with a list of ships used in the operation, honors awarded, and a summary of air support provided.

Sniper Jackson, first published in 1919, is a first-hand account of trench fighting in Belgium and France in World War One. The book, although somewhat fictionalized, details the activities of a group of British soldiers facing the Germans across a deadly No Man's Land. One soldier, "Sniper Jackson", is a keen marksman and his role and importance in the skirmishes are well-described, a rarely described aspect of most books on World War One. The book also details the close-knit camaraderie among the soldiers, a factor which helped them survive the miserable conditions of the trenches, and the dangers they faced from artillery attacks and enemy advances.

Heaven High, Hell Deep, 1917-1918, first published in 1935, is author Norman Archibald's account of his experiences as an aviator in World War One. Archibald (1894-1975) joined the fledgling U.S. Army Air Service in the spring of 1917, underwent flight training in the U.S. and France, and began his hazardous patrol and combat duty in the skies against the Germans. Unfortunately, after several months at the front, Archibald's plane was hit by shrapnel and he was forced to crash-land behind enemy lines. His story continues with his imprisonment and deprivations as a prisoner-of-war until the war's end and his journey to freedom in Switzerland and France.

Fortress: The Story of the Siege and Fall of Singapore, first published in 1960 (and also known as The Singapore Story), is the sobering account of the failed defense of Singapore in late 1941 and early 1942 against the advancing Japanese Army. Included are 14 pages of maps and photographs. From the dustjacket: Fortress recreates, in vivid detail, the fall of Singapore in World War II - the unforgettable atmosphere of chaos, misunderstanding, panic bombings, evacuation of civilians, ill-trained troops, the invasion of Japanese troops, and the beginnings of tortures as the "Fortress" fell. Here is an engrossing analysis of the Singapore defeat - in strategy caused by the failure of the Chief of Staff in London to activate the British defense in Malaya; in the air due to disorganization at Air Command Headquarters; on the sea, because Japanese efficiency was underestimated; and on land, through misjudgment of the invasion of Malaya."Author Kenneth Attiwill (1906-1992), himself a prisoner of the Japanese for 3-1/2 years, was a writer and actor.

Air Base, first published in 1941 by aviator Boone Guyton, is a fascinating look at the U.S. Navy's flying fleet shortly before Pearl Harbor and America's entry into the Second World War. In a style ranging from amusing to tragic and harrowing, Guyton describes his experiences as a Navy flyer. Following a year of flight-training at Pensacola, Guyton is based in San Diego with a carrier squadron aboard the Lexington and Saratoga. He describes the training cruises of the ship, the patrol flights, dive bombers, and war games, providing insight into the prewar Navy air force. Included are 8 pages of photographs. Following his naval service, Boone Guyton (1913-1996) worked as a test pilot in France until 1940. He returned to the U.S. and continued his work as a test pilot for Vought with the F4 Corsair. Following the war, Guyton settled in Connecticut and continued working as an executive for several aviation companies.

Angle of Attack, first published in 1952, is a fictional account of a World War II bomber crew and the struggles they face to survive their hazardous missions in the skies over Europe. The story centers on Lieut. Win Helman, navigator for the crew, and also a Jew, and his struggles to remain part of the bomber's team in light of some of the crew's questionable actions.

The Crucible: An Autobiography by "Colonel Yay", first published in 1950, is the dramatic firsthand memoir of Filipina-American Yay Panlilio's (1913-1978) time in the Philippines with the resistance group known as "Marking's Guerrillas." The book includes descriptions of encounters with the Japanese army, espionage, sabotage, constant moving to avoid capture, torture and execution, communication with Allied forces, the struggle to obtain adequate food and medical supplies, and also the romance between Yay Panlilio and former boxer Marcos Augustin, the determined leader of the guerrilla force (and Yay's future husband). In 1945, Ms. Panlilio returned to the U.S. With her children. Overall, an insightful and moving account of the day-to-day struggles of a brave band of Filipino fighters against a brutal, uncompromising opponent.

The O.S.S. and I, first published in 1957, is the fast-paced, detailed account of William Morgan's service as a member of the O.S.S. (Office of Strategic Services, the predecessor of the modern-day CIA) during the Second World War. Morgan, a psychologist, served first as an instructor and evaluator of O.S.S. candidates, testing their mental and physical suitability for hazardous, dangerous duty as spies and saboteurs behind enemy lines. Morgan then went on a mission himself, parachuting into occupied France and working with French resistance guerrillas (the Maquis) to undermine German military efforts prior to the Allied invasion in June 1944. Of special interest are the detailed descriptions of the training exercises, designed to test the applicant's creative-thinking and problem-solving skills. Included are eight pages of photographs.

Captured, first published in 1942, is Bessy Myers' account of her experience as a British Red Cross ambulance driver in France during the early days of World War II. During the retreat of the French army, Myers was captured imprisoned by the Nazis as a spy, and was sent to a military hospital (working under German orders). A French doctor turned her diary over to the Nazis, who then imprisoned her in the Cherche-Midi, the notorious military prison in Paris. Myers was later released into occupied France, and eventually was able to return to England.

A Ride to Panmunjon, first published in 1956, is a fictionalized account of American prisoners-of-war during the Korean conflict. Author Duane Thorin, himself a US Navy helicopter pilot and POW in Korea, drew on his experiences to write this book, in part to to illustrate interrogation and propaganda methods used by the communists, and how captured servicemen could best resist such efforts. Duane Thorin passed away on October 24, 2002.