Gyrene: The World War II United States Marine

This book is individual history at its best. The author has interviewed, either personally or through written statement, many hundreds of former Marines, and ably synthesized their remembrances into an exceptional work on the Marine Corps in World War II. There is no doubt that this book was a "labor of love", and that love for the men involved shines through on every page. It's a complete catalog of the Pacific war, with sole emphasis on the men who fought, not the strategy and tactics involved in its winning. From beginning to end the reader feels involved with the subjects of the work, and there will be laughter and tears aplenty during the reading. At the dawn of this new century, we can only look back with awe at these unassuming heroes who risked everything, and often gave their lives, so that we might live in peace and freedom today. Monuments are not enough; books such as this are the truest, and best, legacy of their valor and self-sacrifice.

At the time when World War II movies are at their best, Wilbur Jones has written a book that is the difinitive word on how it really was for the heart of the Marine Corps - the enlisted man. Topics have been covered in Gyrene that don't appear in the regular history books. Accounts of hundreds of Marines experiences in the jungles of the South Pacific, and their story of how they got there in the first place. This book is the result of years of research to find out just how young men of pre-war days decided to join the Corps, and what they found once they did. It's a story that every former Marine of that time period must read to see how many of his buddies experienced the same occurances. Stories that will make you cry, some that will have the opposite effect. Well worth the price of admission.

This is an important book for anyone interested in the history of WWII especially the average guy who fought it-Few books tell the story of the average fighting man this one does-- buy it- and the photo of the babe on the cover is more than worth the price.

This story is so well researched that a World War II enlisted Marine will recognize himself immediately. Having spent four and a half years talking to hundreds of Gyrenes, Wilbur Jones has become an "Honorary Marine" by many reunion associations. Jopnes has organized his interviews along with narrative to make smooth reading, taking the reader through a myriad of emotions from humorto tears from poignant tales to raucous bar-room lies. He has covered subjects no other historian has ever thought of. Gyrene is a compilation of stories explaining the generation that underwent the great depression, how boys were transformed into Marines. Esprit de Corps is highlighted, as well as pride in unit. Little if anything has been left out, the culture of Marines, camp life, recreation, discipline, leadership, and morale.Expressions of sorrow when close friends are killed, when "Dear John" letters were received, and homesick views from Marines too young to be away from home that long.The author tells of "million Dollar" wounds, just enough to be evacuated, but not enough to be permanently scarred; and wounds that got Marines patched up and returned to combat. Vile ailments from Malaria, to Filariasis, and back to The Shakes, Crud and Jungle Rot. It wasn't a pretty war, and when you read about "The Thousand-Yard stares" and combat fatigue, you'll wonder how so many are still normal today - over fifty years later. Many personal stories are quoted, and 80 personal pictures are spliced in. Not only the infantry, but those who served in aviation, artillery, tanks, amphibious tractors, engineers, and support functions, both overseas and stateside. The great liberties in Australia, and New Zealand show why many young Marines married women from down under, while most waited to return home to marry childhood sweethearts. It's a book that every World War II Marine will thoroughly enjoy, feeling that his story is being told for the first time. It's a book that covers the common Marine(if there ever was such a thing) and a book that those gallant guys of the 1940s children will want to read to find out why they and their children have been influenced by a lifetime of hearing one former Marine greet another with a sincere "Semper Fi."