Unit Pride

by John McAleer, Billy Dickson

Two young soldiers come together in the trenches to form a strong friendship amidst the bombshells and bloodshed of the Korean War. Billy, the brawler with a chip on his shoulder, is only a seventeen-year-old punk from the slums of Boston. Dewey is a tough, young Texan who boasts he's not afraid of killing or being killed. These two strangers' lives are thrown together and altered forever by a war that we couldn't win.
Unit Pride, hailed as one of the greatest war stories of our time, tells not only of the wages of war, but of the bond of friendship in unlikely places. For both Billy and Dewey, it is kill or be killed, and each looked to the other to make it through the war alive. In the worst of times they leaned on each other to survive nightmarish ordeals such as watching a prisoner get rifle-whipped in the face, then hearing him being shot to death in a nearby thicket. In the best of times they staved off boredom and depression by befriending French Legionnaires and patronizing the local Korean brothels. Unit Pride is the emotional and gripping story of mid-twentieth-century warfare, of courage and camaraderie, and what it takes to be a hero.
John McAleer, while a professor at Boston College, received a letter from Billy Dickson, who was serving time in Walpole State Penitentiary for bank robbery. McAleer encouraged Dickson to write about his Korean War experiences, and thus began a 1,200-letter correspondence between McAleer and Dickson that developed into this novel.

Genres: War, Military Fiction

515 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book that I found in the library when I was in 4th grade. It actually made me cry, in fact, it was the first book to ever make me feel so distraught. Read this and Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo in tandem.

[J W Murison · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best war stories i have ever read in my life, even 30 years after i read it i can still remember the book and its name

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good book on the Korean war. Its about two soldiers, whose friendship shines throughout the book. To me it wasn't as good as some of the war books I've read. The most interesting part of the book came in the epilogue, where one of the authors explained how the book came about. That was fascinating reading.

[George Hamlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was excellent, true to the soldiers in Korea. It is a great read. The way the book was written in prison by Billy Dickson and John McAleer was very interesting. Great account

[Banjo Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, unique, down-to-earth war novel. Very thoughtful for its time, serving up suspense and action as well as plenty of humour and commentary on military life in the Korean War.
I had already enjoyed it a great deal, then the 'epilogue' - which actually describes the surprising series of real-world events that led to the book being written - was basically a whole epic saga of its own. Seriously, that short chapter at the end could make for a whole book (or movie adaptation!) itself.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be a weird request, but is there anyone willing to sell me their copy of this book? Someone in my household accidentally donated it to the charity shop, and I'm having a really hard time finding another copy.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly 30 years since i read this book and it held me spellbound from the first page to the last.

[Ton Siemons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many war stories and this one always stuck with me. Lovely written with loads of humour, and a fair amount of hardship as well.

[Paul Cheney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid on a road trip with my parents. I loved it, the only book I ever read more than once.

[Chris]

W

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little bit to get into it, but it was worth it once I got hooked because I grew to love Billy and Dewey. I appreciate the men and women of our Armed Forces so much more. They sacrifice so much during and after their time in battle.
The ending was a little abrupt, but not enough to stop anyone from reading it.

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never much for war novels, but I was really captivated by this one. Very well written - really draws you in and makes you feel like you are experiencing the war firsthand, through the eyes of young Billy - forced to grow up far before his time

[Wolfgarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know when i read this. It was back sometime in the late 80's.
And even today i remember it.

Wish there was a Digital version.
My dog eared copy of it has long since given up and been turned into compost.

A MUST read .. For anyone who is interested in Military fiction.

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

read 09.17.84

[Martin Mcananey · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the earlier books I've read, although only based on a true story still an inspiring read