Immortal Valor: The Black Medal of Honor Recipients Of World War II


In 1945, when Congress began reviewing the record of the most conspicuous acts of courage by American soldiers during WWII,  they recommended awarding the Medal of Honor to 432 recipients.  Of those nearly 500 candidates and a total of more than one million African-Americans who served, not a single black soldier received the Medal of Honor. The omission remained on the record for over four decades.

In 1993, the U.S. Army commissioned a research team at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, to investigate the discrepancy and explore deserving black service members' records. The investigation uncovered seven incidents of uncommon valor that merited the Medal of Honor and, in turn, brought to light long-standing racial discrimination within the government to deny African-Americans their country's highest military honor.

In 1997, more than half a century after the war, President Clinton finally awarded the Medal of Honor to seven black Americans in a ceremony at the White House. 

These are their stories.


The Lost Eleven: The Forgotten Story of Black American Soldiers Brutally Massacred in World War II


Drawing on firsthand interviews with family members and fellow soldiers, The Lost Eleven tells the complete story of these nearly forgotten soldiers, their valor in battle and their tragic end. PURCHASE.

REVIEWS:

“A sad, chilling work that displays a vigorous buildup and suspense.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“It is because of men like these…that I could be a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. My success was enabled by their sacrifices. This book is a must-read.”

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West, US Army (Ret.), former Congressman

“The story of the Eleven should be a reminder to all Americans that the values of duty, honor, and service are not reserved to any one race, class, or ethnicity.”

Jim Gerlach, former Congressman

“Writes into history the forgotten African-American men who fought courageously in the Battle of the Bulge…A book that should be read by all because it speaks to the human spirit.”

Kara Tucina Olidge, PhD, executive director, Amistad Research Center at Tulane University


"A powerful and carefully researched book, this begins as an almost deceptively easy read--short chapters focused as much on character, highlights, and snapshot moment make it read quickly, more like fiction in some ways, and push the reader forward from the beginning of the soldiers' stories on to the end which is foretold even in the title. As the book moves forward, it gets heavier and gains weight, both with history and violence--almost forcing a reader to slow down, and the end is as brutal and surprising as, probably, it should be in a book such as this, to mirror the truth of what happened.

I can only applaud the efforts that went into this book's creation, and the careful research. I will admit, I wished for more from the endnotes--over and over again when I was first reading, I'd look to the back of the book to get more information on a particular bit of information, person, or moment in history, only to find that the endnote was nothing more than a citation for what I'd already read in the text. But that said, the authors have done an admirable job of including the appendices which bring some closure to the book, to the extent that it is possible, and to show how the story of these men finally came fully to light, to be re-told in this book.

For those interested, I'd recommend it, with the caveat that I had tears streaming down my face as I read the final chapters, and even the first appendix." ( 4 Stars ) 

Library Thing


Ghost Carrier: They Died to Fight Another Day   


Frank Rusk hasn’t been sleeping well lately. He’s approaching his milestone 70th birthday. Each night for the past two weeks indescribable scenes of horror have awakened him. He is on an exploding ship in WWII, which is sinking fast. Men are burning alive all around him. He hears sailors cry out, “A Japanese torpedo hit the bomb bay! We are all going to die!” 

In these nightmarish visions Frank realizes he is not a spectator watching but a sailor living them. Everywhere he turns he sees buddies he knows taking their last breaths. Frank decides this horrifying scene must be what his father Joe Rusk experienced in his last moments alive before perishing on an aircraft carrier in November 1943. The sinking occurred just two months after Frank was born. 

At his 70th birthday party before blowing the candles out on his cake Frank makes a wish he has kept secret his entire life; an impossible wish that defies time and the laws of the Universe. Frank yearns to rewrite history and have his Dad in his life. As Frank blows out the candles his father Joe's face materializes in the flames. Joe Rusk looks terrified and screams to Frank for help. 

Unbeknown to Frank his father did not die in 1943 but entered a parallel dimension when his ship sank. Joe Rusk and the crew of the carrier are trapped in time on a parallel earth fighting a far superior Japanese naval force and America is losing the war. Outnumbered and out gunned the crew’s only hope is the unbroken soul connection Joe and Frank share. But will the father and son bond be strong enough to bring the doomed crew home? PURCHASE.

 




Blood Betrayal


Purchase Direct from My Website

The bodies are piling high -- 36 unsolved gangland murders at last count -- and FBI Supervisor Hans Bauer has to do the unthinkable: put tough, independent Special Agent Frank Murray back on the squad he was twice kicked out of, Organized Crime.

Mafia Kingpin Nick Scarponi is back from prison and orchestrating the bloodiest reign of mob killings in Philadelphia history and Frank Murray, who tossed Scarponi in the can three years earlier, is his#1 target.

The taunt, tense, visually gritty story leaps off the page and grabs you by the throat. The action-packed tale could only be crafted by someone who knows the art of cinematic pacing--acclaimed Director and Emmy® nominated filmmaker, Robert Child.

Blood Betrayal is a classic, big city mafia crime story that cuts to the bone. It feels all too real because it is. The story is based on an historic FBI prosecution and investigation led by Charles "Bud" Warner the real life Frank Murray. FBI Director William Sessions, Attorney General Janet Reno and President Bill Clinton commended him for his extraordinary work on this case. PURCHASE.



Blood Betrayal is a thrill ride of twists and turns and vividly drawn characters such as "Center City" Charlie, mob con man Nick "The Crow" Consiglioni and Murray's wife, Marlene, a gold-digger whose affair with a doctor is brought to a screeching halt by Murray in a scene that has to be read to be believed.

Former Philadelphia resident and director David Lynch chillingly described the city during the time of Blood Betrayal: "It was a very sick, twisted, violent, fear-ridden, decadent, decaying place. I felt like I was constantly in danger. But it was so fantastic at the same time. The people had stories etched in their faces."


The Russian van Gogh

What if the most valuable painting lost in WWII was never lost at all?  


What if it were held for decades in a super-secret Russian warehouse. Seized in a German museum outside Berlin by the Red Army Trophy Brigade during the last chaotic hours of WWII the masterpiece by van Gogh, Painter on the Road to Tarascon, is part of a hidden stash of billions of dollars worth of stolen art the Russians want kept secret.

The Painter on the Road to Tarascon is worth $300 Million

Chechen terrorist Sergey Karpov now possesses the priceless van Gogh. Karpov former Soviet Army soldier and POW in Afghanistan plans to blackmail Vladimir Putin for leaving him and his men to rot in an Afghan prison after the Soviet pull out.
Karpov's plans to extort the Putin administration are met with an iron fist and he turns to the world stage releasing a shocking tape to the BBC declaring he will burn the van Gogh and other paintings if his ransom is not met.

International Race Against Time

The van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam posts a $10 Million dollar reward for the captured painting's return. And British Secret Service along with WWII stolen art recovery experts, The Monuments Men, all join the hunt.

Introducing Forensic Art Detective, Dr. Riley Spenser

The Monuments Men, founded at Harvard University, dispatches Harvard Art History Professor and Forensic Art Detective Riley Spenser, the world's leading expert on the paintings of van Gogh to authenticate the painting. If it is truly the lost van Gogh from WWII it's value could reach $300 million. Riley teams with British MI6 Agent, Justin Watson, and together speed to Moscow and eventually to the most dangerous city in Russia to find the painting.

Highly Rated by Readers

The first thriller novel from Robert Child has received 4 and 5 Star Reviews from readers.

A Fast-Paced Ride

From first page to last the story is a gripping intelligent page-turner filled with intrigue and peppered with cinematic action that jumps off the page like a major motion picture. Get your copy today!


The Story of Alexander Hamilton's Rise to Greatness as a War Hero

As the story opens, young Alexander Hamilton marches with the Continentals at Fort Lee, New Jersey. He is frustrated by being relegated to the end of the line and missing out on the action. He desperately wants to make a name for himself. His fortunes soon change at the Raritan River when the vanguard of British infantry catches up to Washington's army.

Hamilton, and his cannons are the only defense line available to prevent the army from being destroyed. Successfully protecting the Continental army and allowing their escape with his rear-guard action, Hamilton catches the attention of George Washington.

Learn How the Youngest Founding Father was set to Overthrow Congress

The future President asks the twenty-year-old Hamilton to join his staff. Sent on one daring mission after another Hamilton s stature grows, creating great political mistrust among his rivals. When ambition overtakes Hamilton, he threatens to overthrow Congress, which he sees as corrupt. Challenging a Congressman to a duel who views Hamilton as treasonous immigrant his world nearly self-destructs.

Hot-Tempered, Ambitious, Hamilton was always the 'smartest man in the room'

Washington recognized that Hamilton was the only man who could write in Washington's "own voice" in important military correspondence with Congress and the French. Hamilton had no equal in this regard.

George Washington's Real Right-Hand Man

In this narrative history you'll discover
  1. How he saved Washington's retreating army at the Raritan with only two cannons.
  2. How he dressed down a victorious General to get the reinforcements his Commander needed.
  3. How he led a nightime attack against the British armed only with the bayonet.

The book has been favorably reviewed by Hamilton's own descendents

Douglas Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's 5th Great Grandson highly recommends the book!
 "A must read for all my family to better understand the history of our most famous ancestor."

Buy now at a new low price

Don't spend another minute not knowing how Hamilton forged his name and built his character in war. He was highly respected, feared and even hated by some of his contemporaries. Learn why.



Washington Crossing: America's First D-Day

A Story of Bravery, Seduction and Saving a Revolution

George Washington's Finest Hour

Our first President is often remembered as a humble, grey wigged, elder statesman.  But by the end of 1776 the American Revolution almost came to an end. General Washington made a bold move that saved the American cause. The Continental Army Crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day to attack the Hessians in Trenton. This was America's First D-day.

The Dark Days of 1776

In a clear concise narrative this book transports you back to the early days of this nation when America's future hung in the balance.

The book Highlights little known facts about the Crossing

  1. The Marbleheaders saved the Revolution twice, once at Brooklyn, New York and once again crossing the Delaware River.
  2. A beautiful widow seduced a Hessian Colonel and kept him busy for three days preventing reinforcements from arriving in Trenton.
  3. A leader of a loyalist gang swam across the Delaware river on Christmas Eve to warn the Hessians that Washington was planning to attack Trenton.
  4. Three different crossings were attempted on Christmas Day and only Washington’s group made it, the other two crossings had to turn back due to ice and severe weather.
  5. Washington used a network of spies to insure a successful surprise attackIf the attack on Trenton was not successful the American Revolution would have come to an end.

Purchase the book today and learn the real story.


There are few adjectives, which have not been applied to the combined
amphibious and airborne assault operation that took place on June the 6th 1944. Two and a half years in the planning, Operation Overlord, the invasion of German occupied France would require every tool in the allied arsenal.

In this concise history authors, William R. Bradle and Robert Child examine the invasion from multiple angles from what planning was required to what tough decisions had to be made. The book contains first person accounts as well as many photographs.

"Stirring eyewitness accounts woven into a compelling narrative you can't put down."

A stirring collection of first-hand accounts from Privates on up to the commanding Generals at the Battle of Gettysburg woven into a dramatic and compelling narrative. The reader is transported back to the chaos and uncertainty of the sweltering first three days of July 1863 when Lee's Army of Northern Virginia invaded the North threatening Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington itself.
Soldiers on both sides gave everything they had believing that Gettysburg would be the final epic battle in an already long and terrible war.


How Canada Won the Great War


For nearly 100 years Canada's role in ending WWI sooner than anyone thought possible has gone largely unrecognized. The Canadian Corp led by citizen soldier, Arthur Currie, became the premiere fighting force on the Western Front. The fact that Canada was not yet a formalized nation but a Dominion at the close of the war may be the reason for the absence of recognition yet the record of the Canadian WWI military accomplishments is irrefutable.



Weather and Warfare


Weather and Warfare dramatically retraces the meteorological forces during battlefield engagements that doomed or saved civilizations. In 1588 more than half of the Spanish Armada, on its way around northern Britain, was destroyed by storms in retreat back to Spain. Napoleon’s attack on Russia was stopped cold by winter weather, as was Hitler’s siege of Leningrad. In WWI, it was all-quiet on the western front during mud season. The miracle at Dunkirk took place under cover of heavy fog, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was launched under cover of Pacific storms and the D-day invasion of Normandy was launched based on the most critical weather forecast in history.


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