Semper Fi, Mac: Living Memories Of The U.S. Marines In WWII

by Henry Berry

Semper Fi, Mac brings to life the Marines of World War II -- the tough, battle-trained troops who stormed the beaches of Bougainville, Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa -- in some of the bitterest and bloodiest fighting of the war. Compilied from over seventy-five interviews with surviving officers and enlisted men, these powerful firsthand accounts give us a soldier's-eye portrait of the Marine Pacific war experience -- the camaraderie, the women, the loneliness, the fear -- and the profound emotional as well as spiritual rewards that resulted. Former machine gunners, riflemen, mortarmen, and engineers share the horrifying and humorous stories that defined their days in the Pacific. Through this filter of recollection, one truism is reflected time and "there is no such thing as an ex-Marine." A tour-de-force that pays tribute to the spirit of the nation's premier fighting force, Semper Fi, Mac is a multifaceted portrayl of men, war, bravery, honor -- and, as "The Marines' Hymn" so proudly proclaims, fidelity to the military tradition that inspired them.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, World War II, Nonfiction, American History, War

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One enlisted Marine's memoirs of World War II. They way the term is used in the book refers to "to hell with, I got mine." It truthfully is an abbreviation of the Marines motto "Semper Fedelis - Always Faithful."

[Chuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read from the stand point of Marines.

[sed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent oral history. Henry Berry - himself a veteran of Guam and Okinawa - captures the humor, the language, and the camaraderie. Truly a time capsule.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book in that it contained lots of first hand accounts of Marine's experiences during the 2nd World War in the Pacific.

These were mostly the stories of the Marine Rifleman and the hazards they faced when confronting the Japanese soldier. There are accounts from Marines who fought in almost all of the major engagements through out the Pacific.

[John Lagrange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting first hand accounts from Marines who served in the South Pacific but the book was a slow read..

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very amusing and entertaining read about characters and anecdotes of WWII Marines.