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thedrifter
12-03-05, 07:30 AM
'Fallen Heroes' of WWII Get Credit They Deserve in Oliver North's New Book
by Maj. Gen. Paul E. Vallely
Posted Dec 2, 2005

Lt. Col. Oliver North has written a timely book, War Stories III: The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler, about our nation’s heroes and warriors as well as the brave Europeans who defeated Hitler and the Nazi regime, bringing freedom and democracy to much of Europe. The display of courage and unending sacrifice during that time period in history needs to be remembered by all and certainly appreciated.

As Gen. Douglas MacArthur once said, “There is no substitute for victory.” In defeating the Nazi regime and Hitler, it was well understood by the brave men and woman who fought the war at home and abroad that victory had to be achieved—quickly with finality.

To his credit, North uses specific examples of many different heroes who had to fight through the campaigns from Northern Africa to Sicily to the vast plains and cities of Europe. The exceptional skills and training of our air, naval and ground forces surely made a difference as the war progressed until its conclusion in 1945.

The United States was plunged into war when America was attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The second front of World War II was opened in Europe in 1942 and America went on the offensive. Extensive reorganization, recruiting and training had to be accelerated to ensure our forces were ready for battle on two fronts. War Stories III extensively covers the stories of those individuals that had to rally to meet the wartime demands and to prepare our Nation for the battles to come.

To me this is one of the most concise chronicles of World War II, tying together the heroes who made history and the battles and campaigns in which they fought to defeat Hitler. If one just takes the Battle of the Bulge alone, that battle depicts the heroes of the ordinary G.I. who fought in extremely harsh weather and from foxhole to foxhole. A chaplain ordered to bring clearing weather there and complied with the order asking God to open the skies and the skies opened.

From privates to corporals to lieutenants, North brings to reality their passions and drive to ensure victory in the end. On May 5, 1945, the Germany agreed to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s demand for unconditional surrender. On May 8 a total ceasefire took effect.

If you are a military history buff as I am and appreciate and honor the men and woman who sacrificed life and limb for our security and survival, you must read this book. This could be North’s most graphic depiction of those “fallen heroes” we so admire and will forever remember.

Retired Maj. Gen. Vallely is a military analyst for Fox News Channel. He retired in 1991 from the U.S. Army as deputy commanding general, U.S. Army, Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. During his 32 years in the Army, he served in many overseas theaters, including Europe and the Pacific Rim Countries as well as two combat tours in Vietnam.

Ellie