Shane Comes Home: The Story of Marine Lt. Shane Childers, First Iraq War Casualty, and His Devoted Family

by Rinker Buck

On March 21, 2003, while leading a rifle platoon into combat, Marine Lieutenant Shane Childers became the first combat fatality of the Iraq War. In this gripping, beautifully written personal history, award-winning writer Rinker Buck chronicles Shane's death and his life, exploring its meaning for his family, his fellow soldiers, and the country itself. It is the story of an intelligent, gifted soldier who embodied the soul of today's all-volunteer warrior class; of the town of Powell, Wyoming, which had taken Shane into its heart; and of the Marine detail sent to deliver the news to the Childers family and the extraordinary connection that formed between them. At once an inspiring account of commitment to the military and a moving story of family and devotion, Shane Comes Home rises above politics to capture the life of a remarkable young man who came to symbolize the heart of America during a difficult time.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Rinker Buck began his career in journalism at the Berkshire Eagle and was a longtime staff writer for the Hartford Courant. He has written for Vanity Fair, New York, Life, and many other publications, and his stories have won the Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Writing Award and the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award. He is the author of The Oregon Trail as well as the acclaimed memoirs Flight of Passage and First Job. He lives in northwest Connecticut.

Follow him at Facebook.com/RinkerBuck.

Reviews

[Donovan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many reviews of this book that delve deeper than I have to at this point. I was drawn to this book for two reasons, the story of a fallen Marine and a friend of mine is mentioned in the book, also a Marine, who has now passed away.
The book draws you in. So many people and personalities that it seems impossible not to connect on multiple levels with a Marine, a father, a mother, cousin, family friend, or a complete stranger. The way Buck tells the story of Shane and the atmosphere Shane created cause the reader, in this case me, to breath the air of a life that seems too big or possible, and finish knowing that it was possible in Shane. Like a meteor is how Buck described Shane, "Meteors, pretty much, come and go fast." And I might add, they leave an imprint on the mind of something too grand to touch, yet still shining a light we can't seem to forget. Or want to.

[Will Byrnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the first casualty of Iraq War II. This is a remarkably moving depiction of a true military man, a strong, all-American type based in the homeland. Well-written, an easy and satisfying read.

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rinker Buck is already one of my favorite authors. Shane Childers life and ultimate sacrifice was not a story I was familiar with. I am deeply moved by the author’s respectful way he shared Shane’s story with us.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching and wonderful account of a US Marine killed in the Middle East. Gives a look into the heart of a military family and their understanding of defense of home and freedom. Excellent read.

[Geicodave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. You may forget the details but you will always remember the name "Shane Childers" and who he was.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the story of the death and returning home of the 1st soldier killed during the Iraq war. You are getting the story from the perspective of the notification team of the Marines.. This is not a military story, it is a story of humans taking care of humans.. and along the way, you find out about the real soldier.
I really don't know what to say about it other than it was a tremendous story of the soldier, the Marines and the soldiers family as they dealt with his death. It describes how the Marines were there every step of the way, willing to support the family in any way they could.
I started the book and could not put it down. I can only explain it as outstanding.


On March 21, 2003, while leading a rifle platoon into combat, Marine Lieutenant Shane Childers became the first combat fatality of the Iraq War. In this gripping, beautifully written personal history, award-winning writer Rinker Buck chronicles Shane's death and his life, exploring its meaning for his family, his fellow soldiers, and the country itself. It is the story of an intelligent, gifted soldier who embodied the soul of today's all-volunteer warrior class; of the town of Powell, Wyoming, which had taken Shane into its heart; and of the Marine detail sent to deliver the news to the Childers family and the extraordinary connection that formed between them.

[Dan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story about the first marine killed in Desert Storm. Told from the perspective of the marine responsible for telling the family, and his efforts to support the family during that difficult time. Rinker has a potty mouth, that I could do without, in all his books. But, his writing style is so good, I put up with it.

[Wachlin007 Hotmail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the first American serviceman, a Marine lieutenant, who was killed in the second Iraq conflict. It is a biography of not only the lieutenant, but also talks about how his family reacted. I thought it was a very touching book.

[Greg Allan Holcomb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography of a great man;
A dramatic story of the notification of his death.

Well researched.

[Luke Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

After having read, and very much enjoyed "The Oregon Trail" by Rinker Buck I was excited to read his other works. "Shane Comes Home" the story of Lt Shane Childers the first American KIA in the Iraq War seemed liked a title I would enjoy. My step-grandfather was a marine who served during WWII and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star at Guadalcanal and who flew the Globe and Anchor until the day he died. So if you think my review reflects my views on war or the military or anything other than the book itself, let me assure you it is not.

My low star review of this book is largely for two reasons. First and foremost, it is so incredibly repetitive. Pretty much everything we learn about the Lt Childers is from stories and memories of his family and friends. It's clear that everyone he interacted with loved and adored him but its basically 300+ pages of the author using the same words, the same quotes, to describe him. We are told time and time again about how his father Joe is this long winded story telling ex-SeaBee, also everyone's concern about how his mother Judy is taking the death, and the difficulties of Captain Kevin Hutchinson the marine incharge of making sure Childer's funeral is conducted in the proper military way. The book does begin and end with Hutchinson after all.

My second complaint stems from the way that Childers, himself, seems almost a footnote at times. I was surprised at how little ink was spilled when it actually came to describing the attack in which he is killed. There are no quotes from the men in his platoon, the exact same men Childers was in charge of leading. It seemed more time is spent telling stories about how his two cousins from West Virginia had to help him pick out clothes for civilian life than of how he actually died in combat.

Though at times touching, especially the way the townsfolks poured out support and generousity to the family around the funeral, it does not make up for in my opinion its other overarching flaws. The Marines were very much Lt Childers life it would seem from this book, and though good at showing Childers as an exceptional American, it did a very poor job of showing his life as a marine.