Overview

At the height of the Battle of Iwo Jima, the day after the island invasion began, Jack Lucas and three other Marines were attacking a Japanese pillbox when two enemy grenades landed in their midst. Private Lucas jumped on both of them, driving them into the volcanic ash. Then they exploded. Thus did a seventeen-year-old from North Carolina become the youngest soldier in the twentieth century--and the youngest Marine in history--to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Today, when Jack Lucas speaks, crowds gather to honor him and pay tribute to Marine heritage and pride. Mr. Lucas is as close a thing to a rock star as our World War II generation has.

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9780786170784

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Reviews

One of the most remarkable true stories one is ever likely to read. -- WWII History Indestructible...shares how one tough kid could set his own personal collision course with history...Lucas has a true marine's gift for the unvarnished version of his story, which includes one incredible scrape after another. -- Semper Fi Jack Lucas' story is beyond compare...Splendidly written. -- Leatherneck Reading this straightforward narrative is like sitting down with one's World War II veteran grandfather and hearing his stories. Despite meeting four US presidents and being honored for his heroism, Lucas remains humble. His voice is proud and patriotic, but he also recognizes his own shortcomings and mistakes...This very readable volume would be a good complement to a curriculum on the war. -- School Library Journal Jack did his job well and, like so many who have served their country, I am proud to call him my brother. -- Senator Bob Dole Lucas...tell[s] the story simply, but the simplicity of the language makes Lucas' story all the more compelling. To travel with Lucas is to see the war and its aftermath as he saw it, and to understand, if only a little, what a man will do and bear for the love of his country. -- BookPage Like so many other Medal of Honor recipients, [Lucas is] an unassuming sort of man. Like them, too, he has a story worth hearing, if only to remind us of what manner of man is designated by the word hero. -- Booklist [An] evocative memoir...his re-creation of...the battle of Iwo Jima is the highlight of the book. -- Publishers Weekly

One of the most remarkable true stories one is ever likely to read. -- WWII History Indestructible...shares how one tough kid could set his own personal collision course with history...Lucas has a true marine's gift for the unvarnished version of his story, which includes one incredible scrape after another. -- Semper Fi Jack Lucas' story is beyond compare...Splendidly written. -- Leatherneck Lucas...tell[s] the story simply, but the simplicity of the language makes Lucas' story all the more compelling. To travel with Lucas is to see the war and its aftermath as he saw it, and to understand, if only a little, what a man will do and bear for the love of his country. -- BookPage Reading this straightforward narrative is like sitting down with one's World War II veteran grandfather and hearing his stories. Despite meeting four US presidents and being honored for his heroism, Lucas remains humble. His voice is proud and patriotic, but he also recognizes his own shortcomings and mistakes...This very readable volume would be a good complement to a curriculum on the war. -- School Library Journal Like so many other Medal of Honor recipients, [Lucas is] an unassuming sort of man. Like them, too, he has a story worth hearing, if only to remind us of what manner of man is designated by the word hero. -- Booklist [An] evocative memoir...his re-creation of...the battle of Iwo Jima is the highlight of the book. -- Publishers Weekly Jack did his job well and, like so many who have served their country, I am proud to call him my brother. -- Senator Bob Dole

Author Information

Jack Lucas served his country in three wars--and received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman--before retiring from the service. He lives in Mississippi. Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been narrating since 1996 and has recorded over six hundred audiobooks. He is a seven-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award and has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award. His critically acclaimed performances include Elvis in the Morning by William F. Buckley Jr. and Searching for Bobby Fischer by Fred Waitzkin, among others. Bob Dole served in the U.S. Senate for twenty-seven years and was the Republican Leader for twelve years. He was the Chairman of the Republican National Committee under the Presidency of Richard Nixon, the 1976 Republican nominee for Vice President with Gerald Ford, and the 1996 Republican nominee for President. He was also the Chairman of the National World War II Memorial.

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