The Quack Corps [Paperback]

Arthur W. Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 2001

This is the Second Edition of THE QUACK CORPS. It is the story of a Marine's War - Pearl Harbor to Okinawa. A fast moving narrative with hundreds of battle, humorous and other tales and is an historically accurate WWII bio beginning with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, where he was serving in the Marine Detachment, USS PENNSYLVANIA. After repairs and installation of new anti-aircraft guns in San Franciso, the ship returned to Pearl Harbor in August, 1942. In September, a transfer to USS NEW MEXICO, as senior Marine NCO with Admiral Pye's Flag meant a South Pacific cruise of several months. The ship returned to Pearl Harbor, March 1943, and he became a beach Marine with short hitches at the Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor and with the 1st Defense Battalion on Palmyra Island. After returning to the US in late August, he returned, in December 1943, to Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, with the Second Marine Amphibian Truck (DUKWs) Company. In May 1944, the company sailed with the Fourth Marine Division and participated in the capture of Saipan and Tinian, Mariana Islands. After their capture, the company transferred to the Second Marine Division and remained on Saipan, and Tinian, until the division boarded ships in March, 1945, to join the battle for Okinawa. The full division didn't land but his company was detached and remained on Okinawa until its capture, then rejoined the Second Divison on Saipan. Shortly after war's end, he boarded ship with his company to participate in the Occupation of Japan but he was ordered back to the US for discharge before the ship sailed.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

He was born January 20, 1922, on a farm near Dixon, Missouri. After graduation from high school in 1939, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps a year later, serving from July 1940 until November 1945. His postwar career was spent as a Chico, California retail store owner, featuring mens work and casual clothing, footwear, general sporting goods with a winter sports and snow ski shop. After selling his business in 1978, he was an almond orchadist in the Chico area until 1987. His first newspaper byline appeared in 1939 while he was a high school senior but he didn't write again for publication until retirement from retailing. He and his wife, Dolores, of 56 years, still live in Chico.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Dolart Pub; 2nd edition (December 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963363123
• ISBN-13: 978-0963363121
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,662,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Quack Corp - an incredible book, September 9, 2002

By 

R.D. Schwermann (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Quack Corps (Paperback)

I recently read Mr. Wells' book retelling his experiences in the Pacific during WWII. I was very impressed with his story telling ability and thoroughly enjoyed the book. I have known Mr. Wells most of my life and had no idea that he had been, seen and done the things that he described. This book makes you realize just how great the heroes of WWII are, and how everyday "Joes" rose to the occasion that was presented by just being there. They made us all proud of their tencaity, grit and courage. I am an avid reader and highly recommend this book. I read it on a cross country airline flight..I just couldn't put it down. What a wonderful reading experience.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent first person account of a Marine in the Pacific, March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quack Corps: A Marine's War - Pearl Harbor to Okinawa (Paperback)

Art Wells, a Marine on the USS Pennsylvania on December 7, 1941 relates his experiences on that day and during the rest of the Pacific War in "The Quack Corps." Included are Mr. Wells Pearl Harbor experience, where he was wounded, his time on the Pennsylvania after her repair, time on the USS New Mexico and the time he spent with DUKW's in the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa. An extremely interesting and informative book, one that is not to be missed!

5.0 out of 5 stars Semper Fi, October 29, 2011

By 

robbie331 (Beaufort, SC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Quack Corps: A Marine's War - Pearl Harbor to Okinawa (Paperback)

This is a genuine memoir of one Marine at war. He is one of those people who can keep you spellbound with accounts of his numerous and varied experiences, from Pearl Harbor to Okinawa and all points between. It is, I am sure, gratifying to the men who served in the DUKW's to have their story told so well. These guys had balls of brass as they repeatedly exposed themselves to hostile fire in order to deliver the grunts safely to the beach. We Marines pride ourselves in knowing our history but I never before knew just what these guys contributed to our victories in the Pacific. My pisscutter is off to these stars.