The Pursuit of a Ruptured Duck: When Kansas Citians Went to War

Memories of World War II will be forever vivid to those who took part in the battle. With the passing of more than a half-century, however, that conflict is history to new generations.

The straightforward facts of the struggle found in classroom books are not the only history of that time. Increasingly, the heroes who fought in WWII are becoming a part of history as well- of the 16 million uniformed participants in the conflict, more than 1,000 die each day.

Fortunately, their story won't die with them thanks to authos like Matheny. His newest book is sure to spark renewed interest in the great war. The book serves as a "Who's Who of Kansas City" by recalling stories of such well-known locals: H.G. Kaufman, Henry W. Bloch, Cliff Jones, James M. Kemper, Jr., Clinton W. Kanga, Jr. and William H. Dunn, Sr.

Matheny points out in the book that most of America's World War II armed forces were not professional military men, but rather volunteers and draftees who served their country, and then, after the battles, returned to civilian life. But they didn't go away empty-handed, they took with them a small lapel pin, a memento of their days spent in the service, embossed with an American eagle- they called it a "ruptured duck."

Edward T. Matheny, Jr. served on the staffs of two of the great Navy leaders in the Pacific Theatre of World War II- Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet and Raymond A. Spruance, Commander Fifth Fleet.