Baseball Battle And A Bride

Robert Freese was twenty-five when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. A month later, he was drafted. Following a few months of training in the States, Robert shipped out to Australia with the 32nd Infantry Division, the first US Army unit to take the fight to the Japanese. After playing baseball for the division and training for battle, Robert was transported north to New Guinea with the rest of the 32nd Infantry Division. In November 1942, after enduring a grueling two month journey through an unforgiving jungle environment just to get into position to attack, MacArthur's forces engaged the Japanese at the Battle of Buna, now known as Bloody Buna. Robert was in the thick of the action, as the mission of his regiment was to take the two Japanese airfields central to the whole operation. The title Baseball, Battle, and a Bride: (An Okie in World War II) comes from Robert's quest to play professional baseball before World War II and his place on the 32nd Infantry Division's team, his role in the Battle of Buna and two amphibious operations, and his romance of Leona Nievar, which resulted in their wedding in November 1944 and, to date, sixty-five years of marriage.

Robert Freese was twenty-five when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. A month later, he was drafted. Following a few months of training in the States, Robert shipped out to Australia with the 32nd Infantry Division, the first US Army unit to take the fight to the Japanese. After playing baseball for the division and training for battle, Robert was transported north to New Guinea with the rest of the 32nd Infantry Division. In November 1942, after enduring a grueling two month journey through an unforgiving jungle environment just to get into position to attack, MacArthur’s forces engaged the Japanese at the Battle of Buna, now known as “Bloody Buna.” Robert was in the thick of the action, as the mission of his regiment was to take the two Japanese airfields central to the whole operation. The title Baseball, Battle, and a Bride: (An Okie in World War II) comes from Robert’s quest to play professional baseball before World War II and his place on the 32nd Infantry Division’s team, his role in the Battle of Buna and two amphibious operations, and his romance of Leona Nievar, which resulted in their wedding in November 1944 and, to date, sixty-five years of marriage.

Harlequin Historical brings you two heart-racing World War II stories in one collection. Experience the epic love stories of two officers and the women they fall for, where every stolen moment together counts! Dance With Her Forbidden Officer Nurse Wendy Smith promised her mother she’d see the world, starting with beautiful Hawaii. Her promise to herself – to never depend on a man – is harder to keep when Navy Officer K.T. McAllister jitterbugs into her life. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked and, as Wendy nurses injured K.T., she learns he too has promises to people back home. Yet as K.T. grows stronger, so do her feelings, and her longing for the forbidden…? Previously published Diary of a War Bride July 1942 Dear Diary, despite the war raging around me I find I can’t stop thinking about the American officer, Sergeant Dale Johnson.? I’ve never known anyone as brave, kind and handsome! But I promised myself I wouldn’t care this much about a man again, and especially when he could be transferred at any time. Yet that only makes me want to relish our time together.? Now, fighting my heart feels like the biggest battle…? Previously published

“One word sums this book up for me; Magnificent! . . . this is right up there with the best war romances I have read . . . Just stunning!” —Chicks, Rogues and Scandals July 1942 Dear diary, despite the war raging around me, I find I can’t stop thinking about the American officer, Sergeant Dale Johnson. I’ve never known anyone as brave, kind and handsome! But I promised myself I wouldn’t care this much about a man again, especially when he could be transferred at any time. Yet that only makes me want to relish our time together. Now fighting my heart feels like the biggest battle . . . “An excellent WWII romance that is both sweet and well-researched. This book was a delight to read.” —Romantic Parvenu

On December 7, 1941, war came to Arroyo Grande when two local sailors were killed on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. People from the small town were thrust into great circumstances and quickly answered the call for action. A local storekeeper's son won the Silver Star after he brought his flaming B-17 safely back to base. A valley farmworker served with the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team, largely composed of soldiers of Japanese descent. Chinese guerrillas commanded by Mao Zedong--the future Chairman Mao--threw a birthday party for an Arroyo Grande soldier. At home, community groups like the Arroyo Grande Women's Club brought packed lunches for their Japanese American neighbors on the morning they were forced to leave for the internment camps. Local author Jim Gregory brings to life the sorrows and triumphs of a dramatic period in local history.

This authoritative and comprehensive survey features over 2,400 entries. Subjects range from battles, soldiers, and military activities to politics, culture, and the Holocaust. Enlivened by 85 illustrations, its panoramic perspective encompasses WWII's enduring influences on the American way of life. "A unique and valuable look at the war."—General James Doolittle