Customer Reviews

Lieutenant Ramsey's War (P)

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This book describes what barely can be described. The hardships, the fear, the exhaustion, the hunger, the brutality, the uncertainty of ones fate. It's all right here, and all are apt descriptions of the life of Lt. Ramsey from the fall of Bataan until the time in 1945 that Gen MacArthur returned to liberate the Phillipines.

Lt. Ramsey (who was promotoed to Lt. Colonel over the course of his service in the jungle) was a very important leader of the resistance. He personally exchanged a few messages over the radio with MacArthur himself, and it was years before Ramsey even knew that MacArthur was getting his messages, as he went without radio contact for the first two years of the war.

Many of Ramsey's fellow resistance leaders, some of them officers he served with, or under, prior to the war, were captured, tortured, and beheaded. Informants were everywhere, and every move was a risk. Yet Ramsey never sat still, and his years were spent traveling, at great risk, throughout the Phillipines and organizing the resistance. Many close calls with the Kempa-tei, the Japanese secret police, followed. Ramsey eventually became the most wanted man on the island, after many of his fellow leaders were captured. He eventually went on to command a force of 40,000 resistance fighters.

The leader of the Kempa-tei, General Baba, personally conducted many of the raids and had a picture of Ramsey on his desk. Many times Ramsey was only yards from Japanese troops.

Of course, when this all started, Ramsey had no clue how to wage guerrilla war. But he learned, through trial and error, and it is amazing that he even survived the war. If that isn't enough, this is a man who survived having his appendix removed in the jungle by a doctor who had no morphine to numb the pain!

This is the kind of stuff Hollywood needs to make movies about. Instead we are stuck with the same dumbed down, recycled nonsense that apparently someone finds entertaining. And sadly the exploits of this true American hero go largely unknown by the majority of this country. I'm glad I am no longer one of them.

It has been said, "Sad is a nation who has no heroes, sadder is a nation who has need of a hero." Lieutenant Edwin Ramsey was a hero when both the Philippines and American needed heroes. Lieutenant Edwin Ramsey relates the true-life experience of refusing to surrender after the fall of the Philippines in 1942. He helped organize and fought with a guerrilla army until the recapture of the Philippines in 1945. Lieutenant Ramsey's War is a "can't put it down book." This should be put on the reading list for all soldiers, sailors, marines, air force personnel, and anyone who enjoys an inspiring true-life story. Would make a great movie.

When writing of Edwin Ramsey one can only use the word HERO in all cap's. The pride one feels when reading of Ramsey leading the last cavalry charge in American military action contrasts with the disbelief that he was not given greater public adulation after the war. Ramsey was able to outfox the enemy behind and around the lines for four years. His incredible work in the Phillipines surely contributed to MacArthur's ability to "return." Personally, when I begin to stress over my daily concerns, career and money, I recall Edwin Ramsey, and my problems seem puny. Read the book!

This is one of the most inspiraional books that I have ever read. Well written with an attention to detail. I felt as if I was in the jungle reliving the events as they occured. After reading Lieutenant Ramsey's War I was reminded of the immense sacrifice many gave to the war effort. This book stands out as an example of true heroism and the spirt of freedom which refused to surrender to tyranny.

Col. Ramsey, on foot in the junlges of the Philippines, with only the help of the kind Philippine people----puts war in human terms and visions I can relate to. People suffer with death, starvation, torn off body parts, and disease. Horrible. As a teacher I may use this book to tap into my student's 'schema,' or mental map, to help them visulize the realities of war as being the dreadful scarifice it is, rather that some sort of unreal view of war as a "star wars" game.

Why this man was not awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor I'll never know. This book is a wonderful example of an American solider who personifies the attribute of selfless service.

Those words barely begin to speak of the sacrifices Lt. Edwin Price Ramsey gave for his fellow countrymen, the war effort against the Japanese in the Philippines, the behind the scenes guerilla movement, and the Honor he bestowed upon the United States of America through his actions and his command. This gentlemanly young officer went from the glory of Army Polo into the depths of an unsuspected Hell in a matter of months to become well known as the leader of the very last Cavalry Charge in United States Army History for which the Distinguished Service Cross was bestowed upon him, at the age of 24!

This in-depth bio eloquently traces the Lieutenants' life from childhood to the end of WWII. His remarkable true story has more twists than a licorice stick as well as plenty of eye filling emotional sledge hammers.

I recommend this book highly to anyone who would like to know what the phrase "sacrifice for country" really means.

Firsthand accounts of the war against Japan are not as common as those from Europe. Even more rare are the accounts of covert actions against the Japanese. This book is just that; a rare example of a real jungle warrior.

In another time, one might have suspected the author might have lived a more charmed life. He had plans of playing polo and chasing after girls that liked to be caught. But those plans were interrupted by Japan's invasion of the Philippine Islands. What follows is a firsthand account of Lt. Ramsey's war time experiences.

One of the most memorable passages deals with Ramsey's description of his Calvary charge. This description might very well the only written account of the last horseback charge in the history of the US military. While such skills have been displayed in places like Afghanistan...today's Calvary turned in their horses for armored vehicles and aircraft.

Of particular interest are the outstanding descriptions of war-time cities and the cloak and dagger arrangements that were required to manage thousands of revolutionaries fighting the Japanese. By the time the war was over Ramsey had his own private army. This was no small task and McArthur himself recognized Ramsey for his efforts with promotions and awards.

One of the more important parts of the book concerns the names of many of the soldiers who fought a similar covert war in the Philippines. Some of these men were captured, tortured and killed in the line of duty. In a way, this book stands as a memorial to those soldiers who's names are often overlooked but who are true national heroes to two nations.

After reading this book I was surprised to learn that Ramsey had been awarded every medal except the Medal of Honor. Why this honor was not bestowed on this hero is hard to believe. His exploits are almost unbelievable but surely led to MacArthur's return and victory in the Pacific. In view of recent movies about WWII, this would make a great movie. I could hardly put this book down. Great story - well told!

Lt. Ramsay of the 26th Cavalry Regiment led the last horse- cavalry charge in American history, in the ill-starred American defense of the Philippines in 1942. Narrowly escaping capture by the Japanese, Lt. Ramsey joined the guerrillas in the mountains and jungles of Luzon, fighting not only the Japanese but also starvation, illness, and loneliness. By war's end Colonel Ramsey (D.S.C., S.S. w/OLC) commanded 40,000 guerrillas and weighed 98 pounds. A remarkable record of bravery and endurance.