I gave this a mention in the Lounge a few weeks ago, but it's worth a mention here. I recently read this book by Buzz Bissinger, and it is an excellent read. As training ramped up on the island of Guadalcanal for the invasion of Okinawa someone looked around and realized there was a tremendous assemblage of college and NFL talent between two Marine regiments, and decided to play a football game. Few records remain of the game, which probably isn't very important. What is important is the story Bissinger tells about these young men who joined up to serve in WW2. He gives a great bio of several of the men, and gives a fairly broad story about the nature of building a wartime military, the island hopping campaign, and the folks at home.
As any student of history could guess, quite a few of the men in the game are KIA on Okinawa.
It's too late to request this book for Christmas unless you can find it at a retail store, but get it for yourself, or ask for it for Father's Day.
As any student of history could guess, quite a few of the men in the game are KIA on Okinawa.
It's too late to request this book for Christmas unless you can find it at a retail store, but get it for yourself, or ask for it for Father's Day.
