Soldier Extraordinaire

Soldier Extraordinaire
Author: Alfred E. Cornebise
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2019
Genre: East Asia
ISBN: 9781940804538

"Soldier Extraordinaire explores the colorful life and varied accomplishments of Brig. Gen. Frank "Pinkie" Dorn, an unusual player on the world stage during the 1920s and beyond World War II. Over the course of his 30-year Army career, Dorn manifested probing observations and analyses especially of Asia. He produced writings on subjects ranging from Philippine native tribes to Peking's Forbidden City and the origins of the Sino-Japanese War that began in 1937. Following the end of World War II, he was closely involved in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's brilliant occupation and pacification of Japan. Beyond his military successes, Dorn created world-class art, enjoyed cooking and writing cookbooks, was renowned for his cartography skills, and relished opportunities to comment on the frequent maelstroms and interplay of relevant personalities on social and military scenes."--Provided by publisher.

Soldier Extraordinaire The Life and Career of Brig. Gen. Frank Pinkie Dorn (1901-81)

Soldier Extraordinaire The Life and Career of Brig. Gen. Frank Pinkie Dorn (1901-81)
Author: Alfred Cornebise
Publisher: Independently Published
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2019-05-11
Genre:
ISBN: 9781097897759

Students of history are taught historiography; while it's one thing to discuss the course and nature of history, it's quite another to focus on the individuals, the dramatis personae who are its heroes and victims, and the revealing details of their lives. One unusual player on the world stage during the years from the 1920s and beyond World War II was a member of the US Army who is the main subject of this multi-faceted study. He was Brig. Gen. Frank "Pinkie" Dorn (1901-81), whose nickname (sometimes spelled "Pinky") stemmed from his cadet days at West Point from 1919 to 1923. Certainly Clio, the goddess of history, must have been at her best when she inspired Dorn to embark upon the venture of writing about his life and the era and locations in which he lived and served.Whether Dorn might be considered a "great man," as suggested in the epigraph, his account is especially relevant regarding the presence of the United States military in Asia in the twentieth century and his own varied and involved Army career from 1919 to well after World War II. In the course of his years of service, Dorn manifested probing observations and analyses especially of Asia, where he was mainly stationed. During this time, he produced writings on numerous subjects such as his knowledge of Philippine native tribes and, through extensive explorations, much else about the islands. Also of importance were his detailed studies of Peking's Forbidden City, the origins and course of the Sino-Japanese War that began in 1937, and Burma's history early in World II. Throughout, his great love of China-especially Peking-and his mastery of the Chinese language were paramount. He always seemed to recognize and absorb various aspects of Pen-wei wen-hua, "China's own culture" as distinct from that of the West.Another perennial aspect of his career was his close contact with Gen. Joseph Warren Stilwell, who was the major commander of the Allied China-Burma-India (CBI) theater of operations in World War II and hence also closely involved in China and its struggles. Stilwell had studied the Chinese language in the 1920s; then in the late 1930s, he was the US xiv military attaché in China. Dorn was one of his assistant attachés and later in World War II, was Stilwell's aide for several years and commander of Chinese troops in the re-conquest of Burma. Following the end of World War II, Dorn was closely involved in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's brilliant occupation and pacification of Japan.Beyond these prime considerations, though, this study covers several books. It includes Dorn's basic biography, with some mention of his Irish and especially Dutch forbearers; his deep interest in lives of those with whom he was in contact; his world-class art; and even his cooking interests and writing of cookbooks, his considerable skills in cartography; details of life on several military cantonments in the United States and abroad at various times; and his close interrelations with various people of all walks of life.Dorn was also quite knowledgeable about the endemic folkways and Philistine culture of the US military establishment at all levels during his years of service. He especially focused on the frequent maelstroms and the interplay of relevant personalities on social and military scenes, revealing thereby layered dimensions. In any case, his account is a veritable tour de force. Dorn's autobiography, then, features a blend of varying depths and frequently sharp contrasts-extending from the frivolous to the sublime and profound. A rich tapestry, his work reveals that his insights were more than adequate for this rather grandiloquent, yet humbling, task. To be sure, it exudes much of the extraordinaire.

Fighting Blind

Fighting Blind
Author: Ivan Castro
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2016-11-15
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1466887982

Fighting was a practiced routine for Lieutenant Ivan Castro. But when a mortar round struck the rooftop of his sniper’s post in Iraq, he found himself in a battle more difficult than even he could have imagined. The direct hit killed two other soldiers and nearly claimed Castro’s life as well. Mangled by shrapnel and badly burned, Castro was medevac’d to Germany more dead than alive. His lungs were collapsed. He couldn’t hear. One eye had been blown out, the nerve to the other severed. In the weeks and months that followed, Castro would find that physical darkness was nothing compared to the emotional darkness of loss and despair. Desperate for a reason to live, he eventually fought his way back to health through exercise and a single-minded goal: running a marathon. Once he set his course, there was no stopping him. Stubborn to a point that at times bordered on insanity, he managed not only to recover but to return to active duty. Since 2007, he has run over two dozen marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2013, where he was one of the runners diverted when the bombs exploded. Today, Castro helps prepare soldiers for combat, working exactly as if he were “sighted.” Fighting Blind, this frankly told account of his struggle through adversity, the highs and lows and the always bumpy road in between, is a story of hope and perseverance against the odds: an Unbroken for the present generation.

Unbowed

Unbowed
Author: Billy Hedderman
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2019-10-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 1922265500

‘I woke to the sight of a hospital ceiling. For that first blissful second, I forgot that I was paralysed.’ On 31 December 2014 Billy Hedderman suffered a catastrophic injury to his spinal cord while body-boarding on the Sunshine Coast, paralysing him almost completely from the neck down. When asked if he would walk again, his doctor simply said, ‘I dunno … maybe.’ Yet, incredibly, within just seven months of his injury, he was able to beat the odds and run a 10km race in under an hour. This is the powerful story of Billy’s recovery and a fascinating account of his service as an Officer in the elite Special Forces unit, the Army Ranger Wing of the Irish Army. It was from this service that he took the never-say-die attitude that helped him prevail against all medical expectations to recover and serve as an Infantry Officer in the Australian Army. It is a story of almost unbelievable personal resilience and mental toughness, which will amaze and inspire.

Roughneck Nine-One

Roughneck Nine-One
Author: Frank Antenori
Publisher: Macmillan
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2007-07-24
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780312353339

A decorated combat veteran and an seasoned author of military books take a powerful look inside a Special Forces A-Team and its dramatic and controversial battle against a huge opposing force in Iraq. 16-page photo insert.

8 Seconds of Courage

8 Seconds of Courage
Author: Flo Groberg
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 197
Release: 2017-11-07
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1501165895

In an inspiring story of valor and the making of a hero, Florent Groberg—who grew up in France and emigrated to the US—becomes the first immigrant in forty years to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor after he tackled a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. Florent “Flo” Groberg was born in the suburbs of Paris and moved to the US with his family in middle school. He became a naturalized citizen in 2001. After attending the University of Maryland, he joined the US Army and twice deployed to Afghanistan. In August of 2012, Flo was guarding a high-level US-Afghan delegation and noticed someone suspicious: a local man stumbling toward his patrol. Flo reacted quickly and ran to tackle the man—who was wearing a suicide vest. Four people died in the subsequent explosion, but many others were spared. Flo himself spent the next three years undergoing surgeries at Walter Reed Medical Center, and in 2015 he was given the nation’s highest military award, the Congressional Medal of Honor—the first immigrant to be so recognized since the Vietnam War. What prepares a soldier for those critical moments in combat? 8 Seconds of Courage tells Flo’s story from his childhood in France to his decision to enlist and the grueling training he underwent at US Army Ranger School. As a field commander on the front lines in Afghanistan he formed close and lasting bonds with his fellow soldiers. It was this powerful sense of responsibility that compelled him to take action to save lives, even at the risk of his own. “Flo’s incredible tale of bravery and service is also a stark reminder that for many of our warriors, coming home is not the end of the fight. Flo finds a way to live…Truly an inspiration” (Jon Stewart). In his own words, Flo provides that essential insight into his selfless act while remembering his four fallen brothers in arms. 8 Seconds of Courage is a story of heroism, sacrifice, and camaraderie in wartime.

Without Warning

Without Warning
Author: Damien Thomlinson
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Total Pages: 311
Release: 2013-10-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1743099800

Private Damien Thomlinson is a former member of the elite 2nd Commando Regiment of the Australian Army who was terribly injured in after a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. His inspiring journey back from the dead stands as proof that no challenge is too great and that the ANZAC spirit is truly alive and well. After losing both his legs in an accident in Afghanistan, Special Forces soldier Damien thomlinson was determined not only to survive, but to meet life head on. this is an uplifting story of guts, drive and exceptional resilience. Without warning, Private Damien thomlinson's life changed forever. On a night patrol in Afghanistan in 2009, his vehicle drove over a taliban explosive device. His right leg turned instantly to red mist and his left leg was severed below the knee. His arms and hands were shattered and his nose smashed. Blood poured into his lungs. He was as close to death as you can get. Damien's story could have been a tragedy, but because of his enormously optimistic spirit it is instead one of triumph and inspiration. Once a commando, always a commando. Damien was determined not to be defined or limited by his injuries. With dogged focus and commitment, he set about reclaiming his life - on his own terms. His extraordinary drive and willpower saw him walking again on prosthetic legs just eight weeks from the time of his accident, ready to stand and welcome his unit home from Afghanistan. He set himself extraordinary challenges including walking the demanding 96km Kokoda track in honour of a fallen comrade and becoming the public face of the Commando Welfare trust. Damien is now an aspiring Paralympian, determined to represent Australia in snowboarding. His life has irrevocably changed, but he believes it has changed for the better.Damien's positive attitude and larrikin, never-say-die spirit are an inspiration to all of us, and the story of his journey is humbling, heartbreaking and truly awe-inspiring.

Soldier Extraordinaire

Soldier Extraordinaire
Author: Alfred E. Cornebise
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2019
Genre: East Asia
ISBN: 9781940804538

"Soldier Extraordinaire explores the colorful life and varied accomplishments of Brig. Gen. Frank "Pinkie" Dorn, an unusual player on the world stage during the 1920s and beyond World War II. Over the course of his 30-year Army career, Dorn manifested probing observations and analyses especially of Asia. He produced writings on subjects ranging from Philippine native tribes to Peking's Forbidden City and the origins of the Sino-Japanese War that began in 1937. Following the end of World War II, he was closely involved in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's brilliant occupation and pacification of Japan. Beyond his military successes, Dorn created world-class art, enjoyed cooking and writing cookbooks, was renowned for his cartography skills, and relished opportunities to comment on the frequent maelstroms and interplay of relevant personalities on social and military scenes."--Provided by publisher.

The Warrior Inside

The Warrior Inside
Author: J. R. Adams
Publisher:
Total Pages: 58
Release: 2019-11-13
Genre:
ISBN: 9781707966721

In this unfiltered look at the life of a Soldier, you will see the trials and victories that define the experiences of thousands of Soldiers. You will see that there is no such thing as an ordinary Soldier. This is the autobiographical tale of a Soldier, who served 10 years in the U.S. Army and deployed twice to Iraq. On his first deployment, he was involved in a catastrophic incident that caused him to be badly injured and sent home from war. On his second, he was thrust into a leadership role that he wasn't expecting after his leader was injured and returned home. After two deployments filled with a constant barrage of enemy attacks, we will also see how a Soldier copes with the haunting memories of war that never leaves their mind. This book starts with the life of a civilian that transitions into the military and fulfills a lifelong goal of becoming a Soldier and police officer, simultaneously. We see how an ordinary Soldier navigates through life, love, and combat. What most of us call extraordinary, is just another day at work for many servicemembers.This true story highlights the highs and lows of the life of a Soldier, and how one must strive to be victorious even after leaving the service.

Valor in Flight

Valor in Flight
Author: Millard Foulk
Publisher: Independently Published
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2024-03-12
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN:

"Valor in Flight: The Extraordinary Military Career of Brigadier General John C. Bahnsen Jr." is a captivating exploration of one man's journey from humble beginnings to battlefield heroism and beyond. From his early days at West Point to his daring exploits as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, Bahnsen's story is a testament to courage, leadership, and sacrifice.In this compelling biography, readers will follow Bahnsen's rise through the ranks of the United States Army, witnessing firsthand his unwavering dedication to duty and his remarkable achievements on and off the battlefield. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, author [Author's Name] brings to life the gripping moments of combat, the camaraderie of military service, and the profound impact of Bahnsen's leadership on those around him.But Bahnsen's story doesn't end with his military service. As he transitions to civilian life, his legacy of service continues to inspire future generations of soldiers and leaders, leaving an indelible mark on the Army and the nation. "Valor in Flight" is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, leadership development, or the enduring spirit of those who serve their country with honor and distinction.Here are five compelling benefits of reading this book1. Gain insight into the life and experiences of a decorated military leader: Readers will gain a deeper understanding of Brigadier General John C. Bahnsen Jr.'s remarkable journey, from his upbringing in Albany, Georgia, to his distinguished career in the United States Army.2. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of military service: Bahnsen's story provides valuable insights into the realities of military life, including the sacrifices, hardships, and moments of triumph faced by soldiers in combat and peacetime.3. Discover the importance of leadership and courage in the face of adversity: Through Bahnsen's experiences, readers will learn valuable lessons about the qualities of effective leadership and the courage required to overcome challenges on and off the battlefield.4. Explore the evolution of Army aviation and armored warfare: The book offers a detailed look at the development of Army aviation and armored warfare tactics, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of these critical aspects of modern military operations.5. Gain inspiration from acts of valor and selflessness: Bahnsen's receipt of the Distinguished Service Cross and his numerous acts of heroism serve as powerful examples of courage, sacrifice, and dedication to duty, inspiring readers to emulate his example in their own lives."Join us on a gripping journey through the remarkable life and career of Brigadier General John C. Bahnsen Jr. in 'Valor in Flight.' This captivating biography offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the courage, leadership, and legacy of a true American hero.Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, this book brings to life the harrowing experiences of combat, the bonds of camaraderie forged in the heat of battle, and the profound impact of one man's dedication to duty and country. From his daring exploits as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam to his leadership roles in the Army's highest echelons, Bahnsen's story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the American soldier.Whether you're a history buff, a military enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates stories of courage and sacrifice, 'Valor in Flight' has something to offer. Join us as we honor the legacy of Brigadier General John C. Bahnsen Jr. and gain inspiration from his extraordinary life.Don't miss your chance to experience this compelling tale of valor, leadership, and legacy. Order your copy of 'Valor in Flight' today and embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of American military history."