The Relentless Pursuit of the Truth: A Tribute to Jacqueline Jane Wurst, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, United States Navy [Paperback]

Thomas Brannon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2007

On October 5, 1980, Jacqueline Jane Wurst, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, United States Navy, left the Naval Hospital at the Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California to go on a four-hour break before her next shift. Her body was discovered the next day after having been brutally murdered, sexually assaulted and thrown into the water at the Kings River. The investigation went dormant for over two years, and only because of absolute determination by investigators would her killer be found and finally brought to justice in 1985.This is a true story of the tragic death of a beautiful, young, caring woman who was victimized on two separate occasions, the last costing her life. The story touches on how HM2 Wurst's life and murder affected her family, her U.S. Navy family and law enforcement investigators.The Relentless Pursuit of the Truth is an American story of one woman who was beloved by her family and valued by the military she served. The story will hold the reader spellbound, while serving as a tribute to a young woman so loved by all she came in contact with during her short life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom spent twenty-eight years with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, NCIS, with overseas assignments for sixteen years in Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Italy and England. He served as a Special Agent with a specialty of Polygraph Examiner for twenty-five of those years, during which time he earned a legendary reputation. His career in law enforcement has spanned more than forty-five years, and he is currently employed as a Senior Investigator with the Medical Unit of a State Governmental Agency. Tom served in the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was later commissioned as a Military Intelligence (MI) Officer with the U.S. Army. His awards include medals from the Japanese Government, the Government of Taiwan, Republic of China, The Vietnam Service Medal, and numerous U.S. Military awards and certificates for outstanding assistance in the resolution of sensitive high level matters. Tom has also received many awards and certificates from State and County agencies for the resolution of criminal matters. Tom is a graduate of St. Mary's College in Moraga, California.The story of Jackie Wurst is only one of the many homicide cases Tom worked during his career with NCIS. But in this case there were many similarities in both his and Jackie's background; both were from the same state; both with assignments in Japan and northern California during the same timeframe; and both with the same dedication to their respective careers. The more he learned of this compassionate and caring young U.S. Navy Corpsman the more determined he was to solve this horrific crime. As this case became colder and colder he felt compelled to find her killer and bring justice to Jackie and her family. Tom's persistence and constant awareness finally paid off and eventually led to the resolution of this cold case.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (September 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434328120
• ISBN-13: 978-1434328120
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,372,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unusual Approach to a Murder Case, November 30, 2007

By 

Carl W. Sundstrom "Carl Sundstrom" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Relentless Pursuit of the Truth: A Tribute to Jacqueline Jane Wurst, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, United States Navy (Paperback)

I have known Tommy Brannon since 1964 when we were both NIS special agents and I was sent to DaNang RVN to assist in the overwhelming case load building up there where Tommy was trying to keep his head above water. His reputation as an outstanding interrogator and polygraph operator were well-known even back then. After that first meeting and working closely with him on several cases over the years this reputation only continued to grow.

But this book was surprising to me. I was ready for an indepth account of a complicated murder investigation which eventually would result in the apprehension and conviction of the murderer, the type of book we see filling the non-fiction sections in bookstores today. But reading this book was a very pleasant surprise. Certainly, the murder case was solved and the suspect arrested and convicted, due to the dilligence of Tommy Brannon; however, this is only the skeleton for the real purpose of the book: the celebration of the life of a remarkable young woman who had great promise. We seldom are priviledged to come in contact with a person devoid of character flaws, but Jacqueline Wurst was definitely one of those rare individuals and the loss of her life was therefore even more tragic. If you can read this book without your eyes watering, you are a remarkable person. Reading it will make you sad that this fine young woman and U.S. Navy sailor never had the chance to become all that she could be (apologies to the U.S. Army) but conversely it will make you happy that you had the chance to meet her through Tommy Brannon's efforts. This is a very good book and a welcome departure from other non-fiction crime stories. Read and enjoy. Thanks, Tommy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well written, unique book about a young lady, not a crime, November 10, 2007

By 

Richard H. Stout - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Relentless Pursuit of the Truth: A Tribute to Jacqueline Jane Wurst, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, United States Navy (Paperback)

The author has taken a unique story line with this book, which was frankly very refreshing. Although this story could not have been told without also telling of the horrific and tragic murder of Jackie Wurst, the actual basis for the book is Jackie herself. It is evident a great deal of research was conducted in order to find out about the real Jackie Wurst, and the impact she had on a great many of people. Well done.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving well-constructed tribute to a murdered woman, April 3, 2008

By 

Blizzkin (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Relentless Pursuit of the Truth: A Tribute to Jacqueline Jane Wurst, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, United States Navy (Paperback)

This moving story of Jackie Wurst covers many years, locales and people - all part of the young woman's life in the handful of years she was in the US Navy. All of the pieces of her story, reconstructed 25 years after her death, come together month by month and friend by friend, culminating in Jackie's own words at her last assignment. A beautifully constructed tribute!