Searching for Sgt. Bailey, Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II - Hardcover

James Breig

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1885938438 ISBN 13: 9781885938435

Publisher: Park Chase Press, 2011

Synopsis

Sent from New Guinea during World War II to his mother, Bailey s letters were recently discovered in an antique shop by James Breig. Inspired by them, he began to search between their lines for telltale clues to the soldier s entire life and for hidden hints about his fears and his worries, his hopes -- and his love for a mysterious woman named Jane. While exploring Bailey s singular story, Breig also introduces many other ordinary men and women who went off to war, dutifully did what they were asked to do and returned to anonymity. His resources in telling that broader story include hundreds of letters home from Marines, sailors, WACs and soldiers, as well as personal interviews with veterans of WWII and experts on the history of the war. Heroes of the Greatest Generation have been rightly honored for their exploits on Normandy s beaches, along Iwo Jima s sands and in the air above Germany. But, as this book with a unique perspective proves, there are other kinds of heroes: the unnoticed millions who deserve to be saluted because they did their duty, regardless of what it was, well and faithfully. If the stories are allowed to fade, writes Breig, so, too, will the men and women who lived them. So, too, will the history they made.

About this title

About the Author

James Breig has won numerous national awards for his articles, editorials and columns. Most recently, he has concentrated on writing about American history for such publications as the Colonial Williamsburg Journal and History Magazine. He also authored a syndicated media column that reached more than one million readers. In his spare time, he composes classical music if there isn t a New York Yankees game on TV. Comments and questions about Searching for Sgt. Bailey can be sent to him at jbreig1@nycap.rr.com.

Review

It s a human failing that we take for granted the efforts of those who toil in the background, be it in everyday life or in the throes of war. James Breig gives us reason to pause and live a few moments in the life of Sergeant Bailey, an average World War II soldier. Let s not forget him or any of the others, regardless of the conflict or the size of their sacrifices. --Edward Zapletal, publisher, History Magazine

At last, the essential soldiers behind the lines get their due. It took 14 quartermasters to support one infantry soldier in WWII and this work tells their story. This book honors the millions of men and women who committed themselves to victory but were all too often forgotten in the histories of WWII. A must read! --Luther Hanson, curator, US Army Quartermaster Museum, Fort Lee, Virginia

Reminiscent of the work of Ernie Pyle, Searching for Sgt. Bailey: Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II looks at the fighting through the eyes of the dogfaces upon whom, as much as upon the brass hats, victory depended. Author James Breig, an accomplished journalist and history writer, picks one of them in order to focus on the stories of them all in a narrative taken from the V-mails of, and interviews with, fellows who praised the Lord and passed the ammunition. Anyone whose granddad, father, uncle, brother or buddy marched in the ever-thinning ranks of all the men who only did their duty will want to spend time with Sgt. James Boisseau Bailey --Dennis Montgomery, editor, Colonial Williamsburg Journal

"The tome of the unknown soldier" --James Bohannon, radio host

Reminiscent of the work of Ernie Pyle, Searching for Sgt. Bailey: Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II looks at the fighting through the eyes of the dogfaces upon whom, as much as upon the brass hats, victory depended. Author James Breig, an accomplished journalist and history writer, picks one of them in order to focus on the stories of them all in a narrative taken from the V-mails of, and interviews with, fellows who praised the Lord and passed the ammunition. Anyone whose granddad, father, uncle, brother or buddy marched in the ever-thinning ranks of all the men who only did their duty will want to spend time with Sgt. James Boisseau Bailey --Dennis Montgomery, editor, Colonial Williamsburg Journal

Edition details

• Publisher: Park Chase Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1885938438
• ISBN 13: 9781885938435
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336
• Editor: Stephen Taylor
• Illustrator: April Hornbeck