World War II Pacific Theater: Extraordinary Stories of Heroism, Victory, and Defeat

From Pearl Harbor 12/7/1941 to the second atomic bomb 8/9/1945 at Nagasaki was three years and nine months. More than sixteen million Americans were in uniform for World War II (WWII). One hundred and fifty-four thousand men of all the military branches died in the Pacific Theater in combat, as prisoners of war, from disease, and in accidents. This book describes the experiences of some of these Americans, of military members of the Empire of Japan, and one Australian Army nurse. These true stories, some familiar but most lesser known or even unknown; include humor, drama, poignancy, heroism, teamwork, camaraderie, ecstasy, and despair – all realities of War. The stories include sidebar accounts. Some fast forward to current times, for comparisons.