Family in Crisis: The United States, the Philippines, and the Second World War [Paperback]

John Fitzgerald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2002

The United States established a colony in the Philippines following the Spanish-American War and an unsuccessful revolution. Promising the Filipino people independence, they were on that road when the Second World War erupted in December, 1941. The Philippine Commonwealth had brought in retired Army Chief of Staff Douglas MacArthur to prepare themselves for self defense. He had a goal of self- sufficiency by April, 1944. Until then the under strength, poorly equipped, and in the Philippines, old American forces would protect them against the Japanese. Family in Crisis examines the heroic but futile efforts of the Americans and their fledgling allies, and then chronicles the superb guerrilla warfare efforts mounted by the Filipino people, aided by a small group of American survivors of Bataan and beyond. In many cases the Americans leading the effort were inexperienced reserve officers, many only Lieutenants. Their Filipino counterparts ranged from retirees to students, many of whom became the country's leaders after independence was achieved after the war. All the characters are there from MacArthur and his old Brigadiers in 1942 through the Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants who led the insurgent forces. Also on hand is Ferdinand Marcos who rose from 3rd Lieutenant to Lt. Colonel and ultimately to President and Dictator. The United States kept its promise, the Filipinos were fiercely loyal, and the Family in Crisis prevailed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Colonel John M. Fitzgerald was brought up in the Philippines as the son of attended career Army officer and the American School in Pasay, Rizal through the tenth grade before returning to the United States in 1949. Enlisting in the Army in 1951 he was selected for the United States Military Academy entering in 1952. Leaving the Academy for academic failure in 1953, he returned to the enlisted ranks and was commissioned from the rank of Staff Sergeant after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1955. He earned a MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 1969 and is also a graduate of the Air War College, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Defense Intelligence School. His thirty two years of military service included three years with special forces in Latin America, two tours in the Republic of Vietnam, and tours on both the Army and Joint Staff. He ended his career in 1983 following four years as the Army Attach to Singapore. Since that time he has taught at Jones College in Jacksonville, Florida and worked for twelve years for the Grumman Aerospace Corporation retiring again in 1998. His military service has permitted him numerous returns to the Philippines. Colonel Fitzgerald resides in Fruit Cove, Florida with his wife since 1955, Marianne Elizabeth Moren. They have four children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Product Details

• Paperback: 380 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; Revised edition (December 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403391556
• ISBN-13: 978-1403391551
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,921,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Written by an expert, March 1, 2003

By 

Mychelle Peterson (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Family in Crisis: The United States, the Philippines, and the Second World War (Paperback)

A lot of people think they know what went on, but this guy really knows his stuff! If you liked Ghost Warriors, you'll love this one...

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family in crisis, February 13, 2003

By 

Francis Belinne (Sparks,Nev) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family in Crisis: The United States, the Philippines, and the Second World War (Paperback)

Great insight into a long and sometimes difficult relatonship by someone with intimate knowledge.