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Stay off the Skyline: The Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa - An Oral History

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Although as a participant I have a built-in prejudice, I feel compelled to comment on this notable example of the effectiveness of oral history. Ms. Lacey has combined her talent for conducting oral interviews with her ability to weave a most absorbing tale of the 6th Marine Division and its significant contribution to the Battle of Okinawa. She expertly and objectively explains the significance of the Battle of Okinawa and its influence on the decision to drop "the bomb." Her credentials are most impressive and she has gotten into the trenches for this endeavor. It's a MUST read, not only for military historians and history buffs, but those who want to learn what war is really like upfront and personal, with all the glory and hurrahs cast aside.

Oral histories from the men who where actually at places like Okinawa will soon be a thing of the past. Ms. Lacey has done a supurb job in tracking down and getting their histories from forth men of the Sixth Marine Division. And in the picture section of the book she shows pictures of several of the men, as they were during the war and as they are now. A surprising number of them then say something like 'Died in 2001.'

The Sixth was a division that came about as a result of the tremendous expansion of the Marines during the war. They were formed late in 1944, they were disbanded in 1946. They only had one big battle, but it was Okinawa where virtually all of the original front line riflemen, machine gunners, or anything else was killed or wounded, just about a hundred men per day.

Ms. Lacey is the official historian of the Sixth, and she has indeed done her job well with the publication of this book.

Stay Off The Skyline: The Sixth Marine Division On Okinawa is an oral history collecting the testimonies of the Sixth Marine Division in their own words. The Sixth Marine Division was formed of battle-tested veterans and fought its only action on the island of Okinawa from April to June 1945, capturing most of the ground in some of the bloodiest fighting of the war. A gripping compilation that immerses the reader in the experiences of those who laid their lives on the line for their country, Stay Off The Skyline is a primary source enthusiastically recommended for lay readers and military historians alike.

First and formost, my father was in the 6th Marine Recon. Co., and landed on April 1, 1945, and did not leave until it was declared secure,82 days later. I served in H/1/5 in I Corps in '71-'72. The author claims to come from a Marine Corps family. However, she repeats a "tall tale" regarding the actions of some Marines, which would be considered 'war crimes". Such tales should never be repeated, whether they are true, or just cheap talk. I will not justify the lie, and ruin the reputations of all Marines,living and dead. Coming from a Marine Family, the author should delete such lies from the next editions.
The Marine Corps has a ledgendary reputation enhanced by mythology. To repeat such stories which the teller obviously mistook for something that never happened, does nothing for the thousands of great Marines.Stay off the Skyline: The Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa - An Oral History

Thanks for a good copy of this book. Mail was prompt. The advertisement about the book's condition was accurate. I would buy from this vendor again.

I can't give you my experiences yet because it is not due in my course work yet. Sorry