The Quiet Hero The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima

by Toyn, Gary W.; Dole, Senator Bob; Hatch, Senator Orrin

• ISBN13: 9780976154716
• ISBN10: 0976154714
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-05-20
• Publisher: American Legacy Media

Summary

This powerful story documents the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of extraordinary navy corpsman George Wahlen. After decades of silence, this survivor of one of World War II's most horrific battles divulges the gritty details of his incredible experiences. Upon landing with a company of 250 marines, Wahlen fought alongside them. Under repeated grenade and mortar fire himself, Wahlen refused evacuation, preferring to aid those he perceived to be in greater danger. Witnesses of his heroics remain dumbfounded he survived, and while his incredible feats of bravery saved countless marines, the intensity of the battle left few men of the company unscathedthey suffered the highest killed-in-action ratio of any marine company during a single battle in U.S. history. The significance of his story lies in the historic context of the battle for Iwo Jima; while many remember the iconic flag-raising photograph captured during this conflict, few realize the battle was the most costly of World War II for America. After receiving a Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman in 1945, Wahlen has been the quintessential quiet hero, refusing the adulation usually bestowed on nationally recognized veterans.

Author Biography

Gary W. Toyn is a former producer of video documentaries under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense and reporter for UPI and ABC Radio News. He currently teaches broadcasting at Weber State University. He lives in Ogden, Utah.

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(2)
Introduction	11	(3)
Preface	14	(4)
D-day, February 19, 1945	18	(2)
Birth to Boot Camp	20	(7)
Sailor to Marine	27	(6)
Training to Training	33	(13)
Hawaii is Hell	46	(12)
Finding God	58	(7)
``Operation Detachment''	65	(6)
D-Day, February 19, 1945	71	(11)
D-Day Afternoon	82	(9)
D+1 and D+2: The First Casualty	91	(10)
D+3: This Lousy, Stinking Island	101	(8)
D+4: A Shift In Momentum	109	(8)
D+5 and D+6: The Calm Before the Storm	117	(6)
D+7 A.M.: The Crucible	123	(10)
D+7 P.M.: My Job...No More...No Less	133	(10)
D+8: Regimental Reserve	143	(4)
D+9: Dig and Hold	147	(4)
D+10: Taking Hill 362A	151	(6)
D+11: Caught From Behind	157	(8)
D+12: The Final Act of Heroism	165	(11)
Evacuation	176	(5)
From Patient to ``Pill Pusher''	181	(10)
Home and Discharge	191	(4)
Post WWII	195	(11)
Epilogue: From Mettle to Medal	206	(2)
Appendix A: Two Navy Crosses for a Medal of Honor	208	(6)
Appendix B: Timeline	214	(2)
In Memoriam	216	(1)
Acknowledgments	217	(4)
Helpful Terms	221	(4)
Notes and Sources	225	(5)
Photograph / Image credits	230	(2)
Index	232