Top Sergeant - Softcover

Bainbridge, William G.; Cragg, Dan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0804107580 ISBN 13: 9780804107587

Publisher: Ballantine Books, 1996

Synopsis

In a military career spanning more than three decades, Bill Bainbridge saw service in three wars, fought in two of them, and was captured in one. He received ten Good Conduct Medals, two awards of the Combat Infantry Badge, three Army Commendation Medals, and the Distinguished Service Medal, among others. But the greatest moment in his career came when he was selected to be Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army, its highest NCO position, an office he was the first to hold for four years.

But Bainbridge's most important job in his illustrious career was tending to the welfare of his soldiers. Top Sergeant is all about doing what a good sergeant does best -- attending to the needs of his men -- and what it takes to be a great noncommissioned officer in an army that officers are proud to command but NCOs really run.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"Bill Bainbridge was the fifth Sergeant Major of the Army and one of the finest soldiers the United States Army has ever produced. His insights into the role of the army's leaders should be required reading for all noncommissioned officers on active duty."

-- George W. Dunaway

Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret.)

From Library Journal:

This work is the story of the 31-year army career of Bainbridge, who for four years served as sergeant major of the army (SMA). This is the highest enlisted rank in the army and the liaison between the army administration and the enlisted men. Compared to other stories of enlisted men in the army and navy, such as Point Man (LJ 7/93), Tin Can Man (LJ 2/1/93), and Codename: Copperhead; My True-Life Exploits as a Special Forces Soldier (LJ 6/1/94), this work is disappointing. Except for the parts dealing with Bainbridge's World War II service and his times as SMA, the book seems to be a military travelog and a list of people he met while in the army. Bainbridge could have included more stories about combat and other episodes experienced by army enlisted men. Still, this would be a good book for libraries with both strong and large military history/science collections. Other libraries should consider this an optional purchase.?Terry Wirick, Erie Cty. Lib. System, Pa.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0804107580
• ISBN 13: 9780804107587
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320