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The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima
This powerful story documents the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of extraordinary navy corpsman George Wahlen. After decades of silence, this survivor of one of World War II's most horrific battles divulges the gritty details of his incredible experiences. Upon landing with a company of 250 marines, Wahlen fought alongside them. Under repeated grenade and mortar fire himself, Wahlen refused evacuation, preferring to aid those he perceived to be in greater danger. Witnesses of his heroics remain dumbfounded he survived, and while his incredible feats of bravery saved countless marines, the intensity of the battle left few men of the company unscathed—they suffered the highest killed-in-action ratio of any marine company during a single battle in U.S. history. The significance of his story lies in the historic context of the battle for Iwo Jima; while many remember the iconic flag-raising photograph captured during this conflict, few realize the battle was the most costly of World War II for America. After receiving a Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman in 1945, Wahlen has been the quintessential quiet hero, refusing the adulation usually bestowed on nationally recognized veterans.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Gary W. Toyn
14 books72 followersGary W. Toyn is a critically acclaimed author whose work explores courage, resilience, and moral conviction in history’s darkest moments.
His latest novel, "From Malice to Ashes," was selected as a BookLife Editor’s Pick by Publisher’s Weekly and praised by Kirkus Reviews and Historical Fiction Company.
He is also the author of "For Malice and Mercy" and "The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima."
He continues to research and write about ordinary people who choose courage over fear.
He has collaborated with many notable figures like Stephen R. Covey, Harry Reid, Bob Dole, Orrin Hatch, Clayton Christensen, and Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, among many others.
His latest novel, "From Malice to Ashes," was selected as a BookLife Editor’s Pick by Publisher’s Weekly and praised by Kirkus Reviews and Historical Fiction Company.
He is also the author of "For Malice and Mercy" and "The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima."
He continues to research and write about ordinary people who choose courage over fear.
He has collaborated with many notable figures like Stephen R. Covey, Harry Reid, Bob Dole, Orrin Hatch, Clayton Christensen, and Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, among many others.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 15, 2014
I first became interested in Mr. Wahlen’s story after reading about him in the local newspaper and his efforts for local veterans. I found this slim volume an engaging look at what he did to be awarded the United States’ highest award for valor in combat.
As with most biographies of this type, Me. Toyn begins with a short chapter on his life before entering the navy in WW II. He looks at his service and the stereotypical military actions of putting a round peg in a square hole. Mr. Wahlen was a certified aircraft mechanic with 2 yrs experience when he was drafted. The Navy in its infinite wisdom made him a corpsman. The author follows Mr. Whalen through his training and first assignments and finally his volunteering for an assignment with the Marines and to his becoming a combat medic.
After looking at the training the 5th Marine Division received before embarking for Iwo, the author looks at their life aboard the ship and what they did to pass the time and then worries the men had. For a vast majority of them this would be their first time in combat.
When the story reaches Iwo, the descriptions are very graphic. As corpsman, Mr. Wahlen is treating seriously wounded marines. Mr. Toyn does not skimp on the descriptions of their wounds. He also does an excellent job of describing the events on that hellish island. During his time on Iwo Mr. Wahlen is wounded three times, twice refusing evacuation. He was only evacuated after receiving a serious leg wound on his 12th day on the island making it impossible for him to continue with his duties. The events that led to his being awarded the MOH are very well described. For these two incidents he was awarded two Navy Crosses that were later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Whalen stated the Navy never asked for the Navy Crosses back, so he still had them at the time of the writing of the book.
The last part of the book traces Mr. Wahlen’s life after leaving Iwo. His recuperation from his wounds and mental problems – he suffered from severe nightmares for yrs after returning home. His leg wound refused to heal properly. After getting to married, he joined the Army just in time for Korea. He ended serving for twenty yrs and retiring from the Army as a Major. After retiring he spent 14 yrs with the Veterans Administration. Following his retirement from the VA he spent several years with the State of Utah working on Veterans issues.
The author makes clear that for most of his life Mr. Wahlen was uncomfortable discussing the Medal and the events that led to his being awarded it. Mr. Toyn states that one of his reasons for joining the Army was to get away from discussing the award. He also states that Mr. Wahlen’s children didn’t know about the MOH until they were teenagers and that his wife did not understand its importance until he was returned from Korea in 1963 to attend a reception with Pres Kennedy for all living recipients of the Medal.
This book is lavishly illustrated with pictures from Iwo – some quite gruesome and has excellent maps. The maps show day by day where Mr. Wahlen’s unit F/2/26 Marines were for the 12 days Mr. Whalen was on the island.
I thoroughly engrossed while reading this book and highly recommend to anyone looking for an account of the grunt level experience that was Iwo Jima. 4.25 stars rounded down for good reads
As with most biographies of this type, Me. Toyn begins with a short chapter on his life before entering the navy in WW II. He looks at his service and the stereotypical military actions of putting a round peg in a square hole. Mr. Wahlen was a certified aircraft mechanic with 2 yrs experience when he was drafted. The Navy in its infinite wisdom made him a corpsman. The author follows Mr. Whalen through his training and first assignments and finally his volunteering for an assignment with the Marines and to his becoming a combat medic.
After looking at the training the 5th Marine Division received before embarking for Iwo, the author looks at their life aboard the ship and what they did to pass the time and then worries the men had. For a vast majority of them this would be their first time in combat.
When the story reaches Iwo, the descriptions are very graphic. As corpsman, Mr. Wahlen is treating seriously wounded marines. Mr. Toyn does not skimp on the descriptions of their wounds. He also does an excellent job of describing the events on that hellish island. During his time on Iwo Mr. Wahlen is wounded three times, twice refusing evacuation. He was only evacuated after receiving a serious leg wound on his 12th day on the island making it impossible for him to continue with his duties. The events that led to his being awarded the MOH are very well described. For these two incidents he was awarded two Navy Crosses that were later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Whalen stated the Navy never asked for the Navy Crosses back, so he still had them at the time of the writing of the book.
The last part of the book traces Mr. Wahlen’s life after leaving Iwo. His recuperation from his wounds and mental problems – he suffered from severe nightmares for yrs after returning home. His leg wound refused to heal properly. After getting to married, he joined the Army just in time for Korea. He ended serving for twenty yrs and retiring from the Army as a Major. After retiring he spent 14 yrs with the Veterans Administration. Following his retirement from the VA he spent several years with the State of Utah working on Veterans issues.
The author makes clear that for most of his life Mr. Wahlen was uncomfortable discussing the Medal and the events that led to his being awarded it. Mr. Toyn states that one of his reasons for joining the Army was to get away from discussing the award. He also states that Mr. Wahlen’s children didn’t know about the MOH until they were teenagers and that his wife did not understand its importance until he was returned from Korea in 1963 to attend a reception with Pres Kennedy for all living recipients of the Medal.
This book is lavishly illustrated with pictures from Iwo – some quite gruesome and has excellent maps. The maps show day by day where Mr. Wahlen’s unit F/2/26 Marines were for the 12 days Mr. Whalen was on the island.
I thoroughly engrossed while reading this book and highly recommend to anyone looking for an account of the grunt level experience that was Iwo Jima. 4.25 stars rounded down for good reads
January 10, 2015
An extraordinary account of the heroism of a young Navy Corpsman who, despite his own serious wounds, displayed continuous courage, as he aided fallen Marines during the daily hell of the battle for Iwo Jima in early 1945.
Beyond his WWII service, Wahlen later enlisted in the Army and also served in Korea and Vietnam. Truly, an inspirational person.
Beyond his WWII service, Wahlen later enlisted in the Army and also served in Korea and Vietnam. Truly, an inspirational person.
December 3, 2018
I really like this book because this book is a history and a documentary book it talk about George Wahlen’s a man that join the Marine company during World War II as a Navy corpsman of 250 men leaded on Iwo Jima and how he earned the Medal of Honor. In the book it says that “ The battle was linked to “throwing human flesh against reinforced concrete.” It was the only battle in war world war II were American troops suffered more casualties than the enemy. I like how this book and the person tell their experience during D-day till D+12, i used to think there was just a D-day now i know there was more that just D-day there was a D+1 to D+12. I really like this book because it shows the things this person experience was during D-day to D+12 this is a really good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 19, 2020I decided to read this book because my Great-Grandpa is George E. Wahlen and I wanted and thought it would be good to learn more about him and I'm glad I read it. This book is about George E. Wahlen and his experiences in the Battle of Iwo Jima. It also talks a little bit about before he joined the army, his life after, and him receiving the Medal of Honor. Through this book, you are able to follow his actions and also know some of his thoughts. The battle of Iwo Jima was not an easy battle as well and it had a lot of casualties. Overall, this book was a great book to help me learn more about my Great-Grandpa and I'm glad I read it.
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October 29, 2019Great book
Good read, didn't know this story. Love to learn about our nation's heroes. Too often these stories are lost forever
Good read, didn't know this story. Love to learn about our nation's heroes. Too often these stories are lost forever
May 2, 2023
I loved this book so much, it is based on a true war hero they dedicated the Utah veterans hospital after him. It was an amazing read on a true local hero.
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January 29, 2022I know this author!
January 9, 2015
The book that I have choose to read is absolutely one on my favorite books that I have ever read. This book is about a man named George Edward Whalen, and about how he grew up and decided to go into the US marines. George first started out as a nurse in California then was deployed to Iwo Jima to be a medic.George grew up in northern Utah and was raised in a small house.
The reason I choose to read this book was because my father had grown up down the street from George's son Broc whahlen. they soon became very good friends from a young age, and have always been friends since. Broc one day came over to my house, and gave me a sighed copy of this book. I also got the chance to meet George before he died in 2010, and I will testify that he is a great man.
The thing that I really liked about this book is that it showed what a true hero is, and what it takes to be one. I also liked this book because it shows a true hero that went above the call of duty, and saved many lives in the war, and had respectfully earned the medal of honor. The living style that he had to live in while in Iwo Jima was horrible. sleeping on the cold hard ground, and wet and scared to death that there might be a night raid and will die.
I didn't really think that there was any boring or bad parts about this book. It was full of action and intensity. one thing I have to admit is during the end after the war, and he goes back to his normal life it can get kind of boring.
My overall impression of this book is that I would recommend it to anyone. even if you do not like action and adventure I still think that you should read it to learn about a true hero. I will testify that you will no regret reading this book.
the people I recommend to read this is people who enjoy action and adventure. If you would like learn about the terrible living conditions in the war I would recommend this book.this book is truly a great book and even if you don't like that kind of stuff you should still read it you wont regret it I promise.
The people that I recommend not reading this book is if you do not know about the war of Iwo Jima. The book will be very hard for you to understand if you do not have any back ground knowledge of it. I also must warn you if you are a person like me who find intensity in books very addicting, you will lose sleep just like I did once I started this book.
The reason I choose to read this book was because my father had grown up down the street from George's son Broc whahlen. they soon became very good friends from a young age, and have always been friends since. Broc one day came over to my house, and gave me a sighed copy of this book. I also got the chance to meet George before he died in 2010, and I will testify that he is a great man.
The thing that I really liked about this book is that it showed what a true hero is, and what it takes to be one. I also liked this book because it shows a true hero that went above the call of duty, and saved many lives in the war, and had respectfully earned the medal of honor. The living style that he had to live in while in Iwo Jima was horrible. sleeping on the cold hard ground, and wet and scared to death that there might be a night raid and will die.
I didn't really think that there was any boring or bad parts about this book. It was full of action and intensity. one thing I have to admit is during the end after the war, and he goes back to his normal life it can get kind of boring.
My overall impression of this book is that I would recommend it to anyone. even if you do not like action and adventure I still think that you should read it to learn about a true hero. I will testify that you will no regret reading this book.
the people I recommend to read this is people who enjoy action and adventure. If you would like learn about the terrible living conditions in the war I would recommend this book.this book is truly a great book and even if you don't like that kind of stuff you should still read it you wont regret it I promise.
The people that I recommend not reading this book is if you do not know about the war of Iwo Jima. The book will be very hard for you to understand if you do not have any back ground knowledge of it. I also must warn you if you are a person like me who find intensity in books very addicting, you will lose sleep just like I did once I started this book.
May 19, 2011
Much of the writing of this book is gripping and graphic. I felt as if I were on Iwo Jima, alongside the main character, George Wahlen. In the end, however, I found this book disappointing. Yes, Wahlen is a courageous hero, but unlike Louis Zamperini, the hero of Unbroken, Mr. Whalen, as portrayed by the author Gary W. Toyn, is one-dimensional.
But I suspect in real life Wahlen wasn’t. Most of us have fears, doubts and character defects - defects that certainly would be magnified by trauma, such as experiencing brutal combat. Truly interesting characters would then struggle to overcome their defects and find some sort of redemption. In this book, Mr. Wahlen has no negative character traits. I never once got the feeling that he was ever afraid. Therefore - and it pains me to write this about such a decorated veteran -I didn’t feel he is a real person or someone I saw a part of myself in. If I had, his story of courage would be deeply dramatic and convey an important message.
But I suspect in real life Wahlen wasn’t. Most of us have fears, doubts and character defects - defects that certainly would be magnified by trauma, such as experiencing brutal combat. Truly interesting characters would then struggle to overcome their defects and find some sort of redemption. In this book, Mr. Wahlen has no negative character traits. I never once got the feeling that he was ever afraid. Therefore - and it pains me to write this about such a decorated veteran -I didn’t feel he is a real person or someone I saw a part of myself in. If I had, his story of courage would be deeply dramatic and convey an important message.
October 2, 2007
OK, I am definitely biased about this book. A good friend of mine wrote it and gave me a copy. I did enjoy reading about George Wahlen though, especially life after WW2. He didn't even tell his wife that he won the Congressional Medal Of Honor, after like 20 years or something like that. That's crazy.
Gary, Thanks for the book. Whenever you're in New England look me up in Maine, not too many Wong's in the Phone book, and my treat for dinner.
Gary, Thanks for the book. Whenever you're in New England look me up in Maine, not too many Wong's in the Phone book, and my treat for dinner.
April 21, 2015
The reason why I decided to read this book was because Gearge Wahlen is my son-in-law's grandpa and he recently died. I wanted to learn more about him and what he went through at Iwo Jima. This was a true biography of what really happened and his experiences. He was a brave and couragous man who cared for others more than himself. What an example to the younger generation how rich their heritage is. There is a park in the Layton area named after him as well as a Veteran's hospital.
August 14, 2008
Wahlen was a Navy corpsman inside a Marine unit on Iwo Jima. I enjoyed this book but wished that there had been more details about the battle itself and what Wahlen did as a corpsman. We owe these selfless men so much. It's good to remember what they did.
December 29, 2010
This one really reaches your heart. It's gruesome...very gruesome, so be prepared. I mean, it's war. But the guy literally risks everything to save others and his friend. It really makes you appreciate soldiers at war.
December 6, 2010
This is the story of Brock's grandfather and the events during WWII on Iwo Jima that deemed him worthy to receive the medal of honor. I had heard some of the stories from George but reading it gave me the full reality of what he did. He was a very good man.
February 17, 2016
Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. George Wahlen, a Navy Corpsman fighting with Marines on Iwo Jima, selflessly saved the lives of dozens of men and earned our nations highest military honor. Great quick read about a great man.
March 7, 2008
He is our own quiet hero.
May 14, 2009
This is the story of a US Navy corpsman who saved countless lives at great risk to his own.
October 16, 2010
Quite graphic, as many pictures show violent death, so be warned. All in all, a great story, well documented, and worth every penny.
August 4, 2011
Amazing story about an American hero - what this man went through is just unthinkable to us now - but he did it in service to his country. Really humbles you!
August 24, 2011
it just might be the best book i've ever read!!!!
November 16, 2013
The story of George Wahlen (from my hometown of Ogden, Utah) who won the Medal of Honor for his part at the Battle of Iwo Jima in WWII.
July 5, 2015
Well written. George was/is a modest hero. Did his job and more. The type of person I would like to meet.
September 8, 2011
best book I've ever read!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews