personal narratives, american

A selection of personal accounts and photographs from World War II.

Known as "The cigar marine" from an AP photograph taken April 9, 2003, this is the story of Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch from his tours in Iraq, to his injuries which left him legally blind and partially deaf, and to his struggle to remain a true marine.

Private First Class Jessica Lynch chronicles the events surrounding her capture by Iraqi soldiers in March, 2003, and her rescue by American troops.

"On October 3, 2005, Kapacziewski and his soldiers were coming to the end of their tour in Northern Iraq when their convoy was attacked by enemy fighters. A grenade fell through the gunner's hatch and exploded, shattering Kapacziewski's right leg below the knee, damaging his right hip, and severing a nerve and artery in his right arm. He endured more than forty surgeries, but his right leg still wasn't healing as he had hoped, so in March 2007, Kapacziewski chose to have it amputated with one goal in mind: to return to the line and serve alongside his fellow Rangers. One year after his surgery, Kapacziewski accomplished his goal: he was put back on the line, as a squad leader of his Army Ranger Regiment"--Amazon.com.

From 1986 to 2006, Lt. Col. Dan Hampton was a leading member of the Wild Weasels, the elite Air Force fighter squadrons whose mission is recognized as the most dangerous job in modern air combat. Weasels are the first planes sent into a war zone, flying deep behind enemy lines purposely seeking to draw fire from surface-to-air missiles and artillery. They must skillfully evade being shot down--and then return to destroy the threats, thereby making the skies safe for everyone else to follow. Today these vital missions are more hazardous than direct air-to-air engagement with enemy aircraft. Hampton's record number of strikes on high-value targets make him the most lethal F-16 Wild Weasel pilot in American history. Hampton spearheaded the 2003 invasion of Iraq, leading the first flight of fighters over the border en route to strike Baghdad. In the war that followed, he earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses with Valor. With manned missions rapidly giving way to remote-controlled UAV drones, Viper Pilot may be the last memoir by a true hero of the skies.--From publisher description.

The author presents realistic day-to-day reports on his mission in Vietnam which included daily reports on enemy troop movements and commanding a small detachment of men.

The author, a U.S. Marine, recounts his disturbing experiences in the 1991 Gulf War and reflects upon the emotional damage he suffered and the nature of both the American military and war itself.

Ronald E. Winter provides an account of his experiences as a Marine helicopter crewman and door gunner during the Vietnam War.