Faithful Warriors: A Combat Marine Remembers the Pacific War

by Dean Ladd, USMCR (Ret.), Steven Weingartner

Faithful Warriors is a memoir of World War II in the Pacific by Lt. Col. Dean Ladd, USMC (Ret.), a combat veteran of the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Written with award-winning author Steven Weingartner, Col. Ladd s book chronicles his experiences as a junior officer in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, during the amphibious invasions of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. Ladd's recollections and descriptions of life--and death--on the far-flung battlefronts of the Pacific War are vividly rendered, and augmented by the personal recollections of many of the men who served with and under him in his wartime journey across the Pacific.Dean Ladd grew up in the Marine Corps; and the Marine Corps grew up in World War II. Faithful Warriors tells the story of how both came of age in history s greatest conflict. The book presents Ladd's journey through eventful times and extraordinary prewar training outside San Diego; awaiting attack on Samoa after the attack on Pearl Harbor; surviving Guadalcanal; rest and recuperation in New Zealand; savage fighting and terrible suffering on Tarawa; recovery in Hawaii; more fighting on Saipan and Tinian This vividly written memoir will stir the memories of those who lived during these trying times and will help future generations of readers to understand the realities of the Pacific War.

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

241 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Mark Mortensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Faithful Warriors” is an extraordinary moving WWII first hand account of the 1/8 Marines fighting from Guadalcanal forward to other islands in the South Pacific. The journey takes one through the high peaks to the valleys full of grim details and depths of the lowest of lows. Thankfully those who fought accurately recorded the history, as they along with their comrades who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom should not be forgotten.

[Denise Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Marine’s odyssey

Excellent narrative about a a Marine at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Saipan. His account of trying to wade through the Tarawa lagoon while under machine gun fire is particularly harrowing. He also includes recollections of his fellow Marines who shared his personal Hell.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the author during his time with the US Marines fighting in the South Pacific. Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. Some of the story is told through secondary sources and interviews with other participants conducted long after the war to fill in the narrative not witnessed by the author when he was recovering from being wounded.

[Christopher Meola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving testimonial to the Marine Pacific campaign in WW2

Highly recommend reading this detailed memoir of a combat veteran. Makes one shudder to be unloaded off of troop transports onto beaches in kill zones.

[Justinas Rastenis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humbling account of the marine veteran experience in the Pacific campaign fighting in one of the most notable battles. It gives rare insight not only on the factual account of historical battles but individual stories and feelings of the soldiers that were part of it.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent first hand account.