Codename: Sob Story: The Tale of a Picket Line Sailor During WWII

by Jena M. Steinmetz

For close to seventy years, Robert J. Steinmetz Sr.
never spoke about the time he served in the Pacific
during WWII. Not even his wife or four children knew the details of the three years he served in the United States Navy.

UNTIL NOW.

Codename: Sob Story is the true story of how Steiny, a 19-year old Philadelphia native, fought and survived aboard the USS Gear ARS 34. Through seven major Pacific invasions, hopeless nights and longer days, he learned war is not something you can get away from--it stays with you for life.

An "as told to" memoir, written by his granddaughter

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2013

Reviews

[Matthew Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and believe anyone interested in WWII or that generation should read it. It provides a unique perspective too often overlooked in WWII biographies and history. It is an honest, insightful retelling of one man's experience in the South Pacific theater as a navy soldier. The author's grandfather held nothing back and Jena did a great job communicating her grandfather's story with style, grace, and force. I respected and appreciated his feelings of fear, frustration, anger, and self doubts that so many WWII soldiers experienced, but so few writers bother to cover. Honest, insightful, well-told.

[Jim Valiga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

A very powerful and moving remembrance of his WW2 service. It gave me a better understanding of how war changes people, and how the transition is civilian life takes time.