Indestructible : The Unforgettable Story of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima

by Lucas, Jack

• ISBN13: 9780306815423
• ISBN10: 0306815427
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-30
• Publisher: Perseus Books Group

Summary

Here is an eloquent, plainspoken combat memoir of a young soldier who belongs in a class with World War II combat hero Audie Murphy. At the height of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Jack Lucas and three other Marines attacked a Japanese pillbox. When two enemy grenades landed in their midst, Private Lucas jumped on both grenades, just as they were exploding. His friends were saved but Lucas was torn apart. Miraculously, he survived - but barely. For this brave action seventeen-yearold Jack Lucas from North Carolina became the youngest soldier in the twentieth century, and theyoungest Marine in history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. In Indestructible, we learn of the rocky road that led Jack Lucas to Iwo Jima -from his lying about hisage to join the Marines to his going AWOL in order to join the action in the Pacific- and his arduous, frightening recovery following his heroic sacrifice. Today, wherever Jack Lucas speaks crowds gather to honour him and pay tribute to Marine heritage and pride as well as to pay their respects to one ofAmerica's greatest generations. December 2006 sees the release of two major new films about Iwo Jima - both directed by Clint Eastwood. Flags of Our Fathers will tell the story of the battle from the American perspective, and Lambs Before the Wind (provisional title), from the viewpoint of the Japanese.

Author Biography

Jacklyn “Jack” Harold Lucas received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman. He lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. D.K. Drum collaborated with Jack Lucas and lives in North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Prologue	p. 1
December 7, 1941	p. 9
The Making of a Warrior	p. 19
Reflections	p. 35
Jack the Giant-Killer	p. 43
Yes, Colonel, I Am Only Fifteen	p. 49
Stowaway	p. 63
Red Beach Landing	p. 81
God, Please Save Me	p. 101
Torn and Shattered	p. 113
The Fightin'est Marine	p. 127
The Medal of Honor	p. 137
Fulfilling a Promise	p. 145
Captain Bam Bam	p. 157
The Ultimate Betrayal	p. 167
Rock Bottom	p. 177
Down but Not Out	p. 185
Winds of Change	p. 195
Epilogue	p. 203
Index	p. 207
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