To Hell and Back by Audie Murphy

 

To Hell and Back: The Epic Combat Journal of World War II's Most Decorated G. I. by Audie Murphy -274 pages

This book was released in 1949 and was one of the first to provide an accurate account of combat in an infantry unit in World War II. Murphy does not spare the grime, hunger, thirst, and total exhaustion as his unit struggled to destroy the German army in close quarter battles. The author earned a battlefield commission to lieutenant and participated in campaigns in Sicily, Italy, and southern France and Germany. The book also relates the raw language and humor of the grunts and the grief felt when close comrades lost their lives. In spite of the losses, Murphy never lost confidence in victory and pledged to move on with life at the war’s end. Although a movie star at the time this was written, he never mentions the twenty one decorations, including the Medal of Honor, he was awarded.  Audie Murphy is buried near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Fighting Fifteen by Stephen L. Moore

 Fighting Fifteen: The Navy's Top Ace and the Deadliest Hellcat Squadron of the Pacific War by Stephen L. Moore -421 pages

Fighting Fifteen was the fighter unit based on the carrier Essex in 1944 through the major air battles over the Marianas and the Philippines during a seven month war cruise. The deployment was supposed to be six months but was extended to seven. The unit shot down more enemy planes than any other in a single deployment (and sunk many ships) and produced 26 aces. David McCambell, commander of the Essex air group, shot down 34 enemy planes and had several more "probables" as the Navy's top ace. The unit also paid a high price. The air group lost 26 fighter pilots, and 57 bomber and torpedo pilots and crew. This is a good read for anyone interested in World War II carrier operations.