The Mortarmen

The Mortarmen is an untold story of world War II. The book details the fighting history of the men of the 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion. The battalion was armed with the powerful 4.2 mortars and following its landing on Utah Beach on D-Day fought in every major engagement in France, Belgium, and Germany.
The 4.2 mortar battalions were the most sought after fire support units in Europe. The 87th was in combat for 326 days and the book follows each of the four companies as they participate in the Battle for Normandy, the fight for Cherbourg, the battles of Aachen and the Hurtgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge, and finally the crossing of the Rhine and the final victory in Germany.
The book contains excepts of diaries and quotations from the men who fought in the unit and from some of the German soldiers who opposed them. It is a story of heroism, tragedy, and the triumph of soldiers fighting for freedom.






Veterans of the 87th Speak out about The Mortarmen:

"The author has performed admirably in depicting the complete story of the 87th Mortar BN from training camps thru D-Day and the entire WWII operations in Europe.
"A great contribution to WWII History, comparable to Stephen Ambrose's story of E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division in 'Band of Brothers'."
1st Lt. Sam Deal
B Company
87th Chemical Mortar Battalion


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"I browsed your book first, and now am reading it line by line slowly.
You have done the most wonderful job in the writing, You have brought back all the feelings, the fear, the wonder, the comradeship; all of those
feelings and more. I thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Alexander Cannon
Pvt. B Company
87th CMB

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"This is an important book because it tells, for the first time, the history of the critical role of this group of 4 mortar companies of men, of the 87th Mortar Battalion, which was positioned just behind the front lines, giving direct support to the infantry companies or battalions that had critical assignments in World War II.
"This book is must reading for those interested in the full history of WW II."
Ralph Gerald Jerry Portis
Staff Sgt. C Company
87th CMB

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"What a great job you did putting all this historical data together; weaving the whole thing with personal, anecdotal recollections and whipping the whole thing into an informative and entertaining historical document."
H.R. Bob Loomis
Sgt. D Company
87th CMB