Hear the Bugles Calling: My Three Wars as a Combat Infantryman [Paperback]

Lionel F. Pinn (Author), Frank Sikora (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

Sergeant Lionel "Chooch" Pinn was an American warrior, an Osage Indian whose career as an army sergeant met the high standards set by his father's example as a World War I veteran. Reared in the crucible of the Great Depression and case-hardened in hand-to-hand combat against the Imperial Japanese Army in WWII, Pinn went on to fight as a foot soldier in Korea, Laos, and Vietnam. Pinn recounts these wars as only an infantry soldier could. His gritty account of fighting in distant corners of the world is a journey through America's tumultuous last half of the twentieth century. Sgt. Pinn's memoir, exciting, horrifying, upsetting, is a testament to the uncompromising fighting spirit of U.S. soldiers.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: NewSouth Books (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588380602
• ISBN-13: 978-1588380609
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,873,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Dad's Book, June 14, 2002

By 

L. Francis Pinn "Little Eagle" (Napavine, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hear the Bugles Calling: My Three Wars as a Combat Infantryman (Paperback)

I am the son of Lionel "Choo Choo" Pinn and I am very honored by that distinction. Knowing my Dad as well as I did, I know he would be satisfied with this book and I am very happy to recommend it. It does a great job at sharing a little bit about a remarkable life. Reading the stories was like hearing him tell the stories. All my life I have been fortunate to get a glimpse into the world of my Dad. He did not share a whole lot when I was younger but as I got older he did finally begin to start telling the stories and I am glad I was there to hear them.

The book will weave you through three different wars (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) and his first hand account of the events of those conflicts, the big picture of the planning and strategies of war as well as the view point from the fox-hole. Dad was also on special assignment in Grenada in the early 1980's and traveled the world over in support of his MIA/POW comrades. At the age of 68 he tried his best to get to Desert Storm but was denied the opportunity. This book will also introduce you to some one-of-a-kind moments and people. These are "backs against the wall" kinds of situations that will never leave your memory. Chief Red Hawk, as he was know by his tribe, was also extremely proud of his Native American heritage and felt strongly that it was through those roots that he was able to survive all that he did. 9 Purple Hearts, the Silver and Bronze Stars, Distinguish Service Cross and Master Parachutist were just a few of the honors he worn over his heart but the one that he was most proud of, the one that he presented at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the one he had in his pocket the day I buried him at Arlington National Cemetery was the "Combat Infantry Badge" (CIB) with 2 Stars. To stand in the rarified air of a warrior who gave it all in three different wars had deeper meaning than anything else in his career.

Unfortunately his death in 1999 would never allow him the opportunity to see his finished product however; the stories live on in the book and hearts of all of us who knew him. He once told me as he approached the end of his life that "I was able to survive all these gun shots and hand-grenades because I could get my hands on them but I can't reach this damn cancer and that's got me worried." Co-author Frank Sikora does an outstanding job at letting that story be told.

Like my Dad's life, the only thing I regret about the book is that it was far too short. For those of you who have served and carried the torch of freedom for our country, I promise you will not be disappointed. For those of you who want to know more about this man and his life, beyond the book, please let me know, I would be happy to share!

Lionel Pinn, Jr.
[e-mail]

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for those that served, and those that didn't, January 25, 2003

By 

Howard Upton (Hope, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hear the Bugles Calling: My Three Wars as a Combat Infantryman (Paperback)

Once in a while a great man walks into our lives; a man whose very persona is exemplified in his very stare. One such man was Lionel Pinn. Master Sergeant Pinn served in not one, not two, not three, but four different combat areanas. WWII, Korea, Laos and Vietnam saw Mr. Pinn, or Choo-Choo as he was known to many, fight and overcome the enemy. In three different combat theaters Pinny was taken prisoner, and escaped each time. He met and knew Jacki Kennedy, drank whiskey with Ira Hayes-the native American Indian who was one of the infantrymen immortalized in the depiction of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, and worked security for Frank Sinatra. Lionel was half Micmac and half Osage Indian, and more importantly an American.

I was fortunate enough to know Lionel, and sat with him at his home on occassion listening to him talk about the weather and the "three old maids" building a house next to his. Never did he discuss his combat missions or time served in the military with me; never did I ask questions. I have known several war veterans, and knew better than to broach the subject--besides, I just enjoyed Lionel's company, and as he remarked in his book, "I don't discuss war with those that never fought. They don't understand."

Oftentimes, I remarked to my wife that I regretted not asking Lionel if I could take a tape recorder with me to interview him. Fortunately for us all a reporter had enough foresight to do that very thing. I recently finished the book published about this little known American icon, Hear the Bugles Calling (My Three Wars as a Combat Infantryman). Lionel was the recipient of three combat infantryman badges, and two silver stars abrazoned the metals on the blue ribbon. Lionel recently died of Leukemia in 1999, the result of being present in Nevada for the witnessing of four atomic bomb detonations.

His is a story for anyone interested in courage. I'm lucky to have called him friend.........

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Going Places no one Dared!, February 15, 2003

By 

Nicole Barnes (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hear the Bugles Calling: My Three Wars as a Combat Infantryman (Paperback)

What great story!... I was taken places no one dare go. As a young person, I never had to deal with war and the faces of war. Like me, the readers will find themselves right in the middle of it war with all it's force, fear and gallantry. Mr. Pinn also reveals an Infantry mans view of histroy and troubled times. For those of you who may be wanting to know more about war, ... you must read this book. Mr. Pinn represents your husbands, your sons and all those who may be called to serve. As fearful as it was it also contained a lot of lighter moments. Funny stories and amazing encounters. A must read!