My Three Years in the Marine Corps

Re: My Three Years in the Marine Corps
Thor Thostenson was my Squad Leader on Bougainville he was KIA on Iwo Jima. Here is a letter from his daughter. Dear Mr. Merrell, I've moved in the last year and just received your book - what a treasure! Two pictures of my father I've never seen. How was my father thought of by others? What was he like? Thanks, MANY thanks, Yours sincerely, Diana Thostenson Lane

Re: My Three Years in the Marine Corps
From Mary Ann, Stuart Campbell's sister (Stuart was KIA on Bougainville 1943) Dear Ray, In 1942 I put Stuart on a train in Seattle headed for San Diego. That was the last time I saw him. Seeing his picture surrounded by Marines gave me a warm feeling. You were just kids but what a job you did. Thanks, Mary Ann, Gig Harbor, Wa.

Re: My Three Years in the Marine Corps
A review by K.K. LCpl:"All I Can Say About Ray's Book is: Gets right to the matter of things, it gives a perspective on the war and love between two people as well as their families. My 18 year old daughter read it the day I got it from Ray. It made a heck of an impression on her and she found out there are people just like us behind the lines so to speak. It should be required reading for kids, it gives a great insight, and has for myself. It was very enlightining." Another - by S.L. LC: Ray Merrell's book "My Three Years in the Marine Corps...finished it yesterday...will likely have to reread it...There is a lot to soak in...woven in between the letters home and the era of the Corps....wow...times have changed...yet...not the ingenuity and creative nature of the Marine...peppered with all that is the Corps...particularly the humor and sense of duty...to each other. Wow...great gift for anyone who has ever been in love, lived through a war era, appreciates the simpler times in life and wants to remember what really mattered was in our own house, on your own street in your own town...in downtown, rural, or urban America.Take a walk through both sides of WWII with Ray, Helen and all their friends, family and fellow Marines. Good for the soul...Highly Recommended...

Re: My Three Years in the Marine Corps
"My Three Years in the Marine Corps"...my personal story. From enlistment through invasions of Bougainville, Emirau, Guam, Okinawa and the Occupation of Japan. Other stops in-between...New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Efate and Espirtu Santo. Home VIA Hawaii, San Francisco, Chicago.My story is compiled from my diary entries, memories and letters written to my girlfriend. Letters were written in tents, mess halls, galleys, foxholes and behind trees, by candlelight, flashlight and lantern.Lots of pictures, list of 12 different ships I was transported and or stood gun watch on. Gung Ho,Ray Autographed book available from me.