Solo Soldier S Stories

Stories of individual soldiers throughout history.

Soldier of Courage, Soldier of Compassion is drawn from the letters and diaries of Captain Bennett L. Munger of company C, 44th New York state volunteer infantry. Munger's regiment was known as "Ellsworth's Avengers", in honor of their fallen comrade, Col. Elmer Ellsworth. The regiment was a seasoned fighting unit, and saw action in many important battles during the civil war. Munger's career would eventually place him in the position of prison inspector for the north's most notorious, Confederate prisoner of war camp, "Elmira". Elmira was little better than a death camp, that in some ways was on par with the horror of Andersonville. Munger's letters and diaries give an important firsthand account and insight into a moment in time that otherwise would be lost without this small volume that is dedicated to his unwavering service to his country and his steadfast compassion to ease the sufferings of his fellow man.

When two half brothersone an Akron detective and one a Chi-town hoodset out to destroy each other is when all hell breaks out. This tale of two cities runneth over with blood, guts, and glory. This writing was inspired by the streets, and for the streets, I bring to you a soldiers story, full of witty thinking, honor and dishonor, family and values, love and hate, and pleasure and pain, all wrapped in an ongoing narration that is sure to be a pleaser.

Arthur Sullivan is best known as W. S. Gilbert's collaborator in the Savoy Operas. Sullivan was regarded as the nation's leading composer of sacred oratorios on a par with Mendelssohn and Brahms. Ian Bradley provides the first detailed, comprehensive, critical study and review of Sullivan's church and sacred music.

Jerry Thigpen's study on the history of the Combat Talon is the first effort to tell the story of this wonderfully capable machine. This weapons system has performed virtually every imaginable tactical event in the spectrum of conflict and by any measure is the most versatile C-130 derivative ever produced. First modified and sent to Southeast Asia (SEA) in 1966 to replace theater unconventional warfare (UW) assets that were limited in both lift capability and speed the Talon I quickly adapted to theater UW tasking including infiltration and resupply and psychological warfare operations into North Vietnam. After spending four years in SEA and maturing into a highly respected UW weapons system the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) chose the Combat Talon to lead the night low-level raid on the North Vietnamese prison camp at Son Tay. Despite the outcome of the operation the Talon I cemented its reputation as the weapons system of choice for long-range clandestine operations. In the period following the Vietnam War United States Air Force (USAF) special operations gradually lost its political and financial support which was graphically demonstrated in the failed Desert One mission into Iran. Thanks to congressional supporters like Earl Hutto of Florida and Dan Daniel of Virginia funds for aircraft upgrades and military construction projects materialized to meet the ever-increasing threat to our nation. Under the leadership of such committed hard-driven officers as Brenci Uttaro Ferkes Meller and Thigpen the crew force became the most disciplined in our Air Force. It was capable of penetrating hostile airspace at night in a low-level mountainous environment covertly to execute any number of unconventional warfare missions.

Part coming of age story, part immigrant tale, part World War II adventure, Immigrant Soldier, The Story of a Ritchie Boy follows Herman as he evolves from a frightened and frustrated teenager, looking for a place to belong, into a confident U.S. Army Intelligence officer who struggles with the conflicting emotions of hate and forgiveness.