As of this writing, another commemoration has passed of the day that Japan signed the surrender document ending World War II in Asia and the Pacific theater on September 2, 1945. And as that day in history continues to be remembered 70 years and thereafter, historians or the curious readers of the past cannot be denied, especially of the individuals that helped to keep the world at peace and who were not necessarily the larger than life figures that contributed to victory. Stephen Harding writes of that part of history seldom revealed to the general public during the time in which they occurred and years later in books such as Last to Die: A Defeated Empire, A Forgotten Mission, and the Last American to Die in World War II. Harding intertwines the monumental event of the end of World War II to the life of 18-year old Army Sergeant Anthony “Tony” Marchione and the men that boarded photo-reconnaissance one of four Dominators and accompanying B-32’s Hobo Queen II and Harriet’s Chariot that met its fate on August 18, 1945 days after Japanese Emperor Hirohito accepted the Potsdam Declaration and announced surrender to the people of Japan and the world.
The book provides interesting insight to the events leading to August 18 but begins and ends with Marchione’s story. One may ask of what the symbolic importance does this story possess versus what readers already know about the end of World War II within the Pacific theater, the signing of the document of surrender aboard the USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay and dignitaries within global and military proportions present to mark the end of one of the most tumultuous events in history. However, Harding writes with much respect and tribute to one of the unsung heroes that was not a high ranking admiral or general but one of thousands that had gone unnoticed for the past 70 years, the many young men and women called to duty that simply heeded that call without any reserve, especially at such young age of 18 years old; Marchione was that individual who unexpectedly died for his country when the war was already declared over, an originally did not have intention to serve in the military but wanted to be musician. It is this element that inspired Harding to write his story after finding information after 30 years of research to finally include Marchione’s place within history. The book begins with a brief biography and concludes with his story, but the proceeding chapters from three to six contain the backdrop to history and what prompted the indiscriminate small group of so-called diehards and disbelievers and disillusioned Japanese military fighter pilots that simply did not agree that the war was over after Hirohito’s speech and President Harry S. Truman's declaration of cease fire, Yoko Ku, Saburo Sakai and Sadamu Komachi veterans of the war from the beginning in battles at Coral Sea, Midway, and Rabaul; they continued to fight until the end off the coast of Okinawa and the Kanto Plain. Knowing what occurred, attempts were made by then Supreme Command Leader of Allied Forces in the Pacific General Douglas MacArthur to direct concerns to halt hostilities to Hirohito and the Japanese Imperial Government and Headquarters. The events that played out after the 18th remained hushed.
Harding includes great detail within the book to shed light on the life of Tony Marchione and the men of the Hobo Queen II and Harriet’s Chariot and their encounter and participation in the last air battle in the Pacific theater. And in addition, it is a history that breathes much irony of the United States role in the war and their initial involvement in in 1941 and the eerie end in 1945 that usually plays out in a Hollywood re-enactment.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
| Price | New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| $7.95 with discounted Audible membership | |
|
Paperback, Illustrated
"Please retry" | $12.49 | $1.35 |
|
Audio CD, Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" | $30.81 | $16.00 |
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
