Islands of the Damned

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This remarkable eyewitness account details the brutal combat of the Pacific War, focusing on R.V. Burgin, a World War II Marine Corps hero featured in HBO's The Pacific. When the young Texan joined the Marines in 1942, he faced unimaginable challenges in the Pacific, where he encountered a fierce enemy in the Japanese. Amidst steamy jungles, Burgin engaged in some of the war's most grueling and deadly battles. His memoir reveals the life of a special breed of Marine, trained by veterans of Guadalcanal. Burgin's company faced snipers, jungle ambushes, and howling banzai attacks as they island-hopped through relentless combat. Over two years, he rose from a green private to a seasoned sergeant, fighting from New Britain through Peleliu to Okinawa, where he earned a Bronze Star for valor. With unforgettable drama and understated elegance, Burgin's gripping narrative stands alongside classic Pacific chroniclers like Robert Leckie and Eugene Sledge, who was also his platoon sergeant. This deeply moving account brings to life the hell of the Pacific War, showcasing the courage and resilience of those who fought.