Customer Reviews

The War Journal of Major Damon "Rocky" Gause

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Major Damon "Rocky" Gause's "War Journal" chronicles his escape from the Philippines by boat to Australia at the outbreak of WWII. This heroic escape is outlined in detail in this fairly short, very readable account. It gives the reader a feel for the time as well as the incredible odds faced by Major Gause and his shipmate Captain William Lloyd Osborne. This book reads like a screenplay and I can't wait for the movie. Recommended to military and adventure buffs alike. A special thanks to Damon Lance Gause, "Rocky's" son, for sharing his father's heroic escape with the world.

This is an excellent adventure/survival story as much as it is a war story. You will like this if you have enjoyed Into Thin Air, The Perfect Storm, We Die Alone, and other survival tales, as well as WWII retrospectives like The Greatest Generation or Citizen Soldiers. Major Gause escaped Bataan and Corregidor in the Phillipines and then, with another officer, island-hopped in a small, leaky fishing boat all the way to Australia, avoiding Japanese airplanes and ships --and poor supplies of food, drinking water, fuel, and sunscreen - along the way. This is a first person account by Gause, and in the typical ways of his generation, he understates his accomplishments and adds humor to the story too. What's more, after reporting to General MacArthur in Australia, Gause didn't feel his duty was done. After a publicity tour of the States to help sell War Bonds, he demanded active duty again and was sent to Europe, where he lost his life testing modifications to the P-47 in preparation for D-Day. Sadly, Gause's dedication to service only allowed him to hold his newborn son a single time before he went off to war again. One is left wondering whether the Boomers and other post-WWII generations could ever be counted on to make the kinds of sacrifices in pursuit of freedom as did The Greatest Generation men like Gause. If you know a WWII veteran, take the time now to thank him or her for saving the world.

I couldn't put down this book. As a World War II history buff, and having lived in the Philippines as a young child, I was fascinated with Rocky Gause's escape from the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1942.

Gause attributed his successful escape to the Filippinos who helped him along the way. He acknowledged their courage and sacrifice in not only helping him, but in fighting for freedom. I have always considered Filippinos to be the friendliest people in the world. No doubt, their willingness to help soldiers like Gause stems from wonderful and powerful attribute.

I hope that more people read this book. Gause's record, along with the history of the Philippines in World War II, is one that needs to be heard.

I was seventeen when I joined the army during the Vietnam Era (I plead youth and insanity), and, after training at Fort Polk's 'Tiger Land' (Special Forces), I thought I was tough stuff. But, after reading what Major Damon Gause went through, I paled in comparison. This man dwarfs any other combat man (or woman) I have ever known. I doubt that even Rambo could have endured what this man experienced.

Damon Gause had the characteristics of Rambo: raw physical strength, mental toughness, the ability to withstand tremendous amounts of pain, discomfort, deprivation of food & water, toleration of the sight of gore and scores of gruesome deaths, plus one more - both he and the war he fought were real.

Beyond being a true warrior Damon Gause is also a very good writer. Most "journal" books have the prose of flour paste. This war journal is an exception. Gause brings you into the horrible moment of the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese. You feel the desperation, despair and dementia when the Japs took Corregidor. Continually through the book Gause praises the courage and loyalty of the Filipinos who fought with him and often helped him.

It would be easy to read this book as just an account of a courageous and extraordinary American solider whose feats of "heroism in action" awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross, but this book offers more. It offers a wealth of lessons that anyone could learn from, and apply to daily life.

Two truths that can sustain you in the `valley of the shadow of death': believe in your cause and hold to your ideologies. In the words of Winston Churchill "Never, Never, Never Give Up". And, despise the thought of surrender. Retreat yes, surrender no. Fight on, even when it looks impossible to prevail. Remember, that of those that surrendered, they were starved and mistreated, often kicked or beaten, and many who fell were bayoneted. 7,000--10,000 died on the way in the Bataan Death March.

Other axioms that are applicable for living and prevailing even today are found throughout the book: develop partnerships, remember your destination and stay focused, camouflage your intentions when the adversary is around, risk trusting others to help you - they will. For those that can, have faith in God's ability to provide and protect you. And finally, when a passing enemy ship's canons are trained on you and your rickety little boat, display their flag, zealously wave and smile, shouting, "long live Japan", and perhaps you too will live. Remembering that their day will come; a day when they will stand on your battleship, with their heads bowed, in defeat. Highly recommended.

In an age when many Americans cannot even conceive of life without McDonalds, TV and SUVs on demand, this fantastic story should be required reading. As well written as any adventure found anywhere in fact or fiction, this is an absolutely exhilarating read that will appeal to all generations.

Not only is Maj. Gause's story simply one of the most amazing true accounts of bravery and decisiveness in the face of staggering odds, it also serves as a grim reminder that our freedom came to us through the grace of God and the unrelenting determination of countless ordinary citizens to resist tyranny and terror, no matter what the cost.

This is one you will read not once, but many times. I have not read a better account of the interdependence and loyalty between the Americans and Filipinos in the face of ruthless oppression during the dark days following the fall of Corregidor. Mabuhay las Filipinos! (Long live the Filipinos!)

...the greatest generation is all around us and dying everyday. I am an active duty Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. My father is a retired Navy veteran. He served in the Navy from March 1942 until 1961. He entered the Navy on his 17th birthday in 1942. I have always been fascinated how a boy could go off to war for the "duration." In today's military we want to know when our rotation is up. This past 12-18 months I have read numerous Ambrose books, Citizen Soldier, D-Day, Eisenhower's Lieutenants, Brokaws The Greatest Generation and even Lavyrle Spencer's Morning Glory. All wonderful books. My wife insisted I read Morning Glory, a romance novel set in the 30s and 40s. I couldn't put the book down. The War Journal of Damon "Rocky" Gause have brought all the above books together for me. A friend sent me the book for Christmas and I couldn't put it down. The high adventure puts you on the edge of your seat through out the book. It almost doesn't seem real. It seems more like a movie. As we know art imitates life and in this book it really does. A must read for those who want to understand what dedication to country and family is all about. I'm proud to be an Amercian and very proud to serve our country in the United States Army. "HOOAH!"˙

"Rocky's" personal account sheds an important light on a very dark period in the Pacific, the opening days of the war...a time when America needed hope and heroes and got them in men like Major Damon "Rocky" Gause. A very interesting story of courage and determination. Add this to your required reading list.

Major Damon Rocky Gause's daring escape journey is a gripping narration about two man determined at all cost to beat the odds by choosing freedom over ruthless captivity. Major Gauze's exceptional writing skills turn his journal into a captivating and suspenseful flight amidst impossible adversities. The escape journey is exciting in its own right. But, this wonderful book transcends beyond acts of heroism and patriotism. It is a compelling tribute to courage, determination, and will to overcome adversity of all kinds. Furthermore, it is homage to human spirit, which can bring out its best in the worst of times. I strongly recommend this gratifying and inspiring book to everyone, young and old.

Written in the first person, this is one of the better personal accounts of WWII that I have read. Despite the the author not being a professional writer, Gause has the ability to tell a story. If some of the stories have perhaps become blurred with the passing of time, it does not distract one bit from the overall deeds of the author and him comrades. I have had the wonderful opportunity over the years of talking with and listening to many veterans of this war and others, and having spent over twenty years in the service myself, I can pretty well spot crap when I see or hear it. This is honest stuff. Recommend you read this one and also add it to your collection.

A book like this that is a factual account of the most remarkable escape of WWII is like finding a diamond in a bin of zircon. What makes this book so significant is that it is a parable about the true strength of this nation.Major Gause grew up in a small town and spent many hours of his youth in the woods and fields of his native Georgia. In a derelict boat with only a small compass and a crude map to guide them Major Gause, along with Captain Osborne, managed to cross over 3200 miles of hostile territory to report for duty in Australia. In one of the most remarkable episodes Major Gause, after escaping Corregidor, disguised himself as a Spaniard and actually has dinner with a Japanese colonel in a Manila restaurant while on a self initiated spying mission. This book is a fitting tribute to what Tom Brokaw has termed 'The Greatest Generation'. I think after reading this book that you will agree that Major Gause and Captain Osborne have certainly earned the utmost respect, admiration, and thanks of all of us who enjoy the freedom that is the fruit of their many sacrifices. My only question is, "Who is going to play the lead role in the movie that Miramax plans to make of this book?"