Jon T. Hoffman

4917. Chesty The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC, by LtCol Jon T. Hoffman, USMCR (read 26 Apr 2012) This is a 2001 biography of LtGen Lewis Puller (1898-1971), written by a Marine officer. It quotes lots of favorable things about its subject, but also indicates flaws in his views and actions to some extent. I thought the account of his time in Haiti and Nicaragua was more detailed than necessary--though Puller obviously felt it very important. The account of his time in World War Ii and Korea was often exciting, especially the well-related account of the fearsome fighting on Peleliu. I also was not impressed by Puller's fierce efforts to not be found physically unfit for further service in 1954 and 1955 less than commendable. And after retirement he had some ideas which were less than admirable, I thought. But there are good parts in the book and Marines will no doubt be admiring of the book… (mais)

This was a very good read.

This booklet is one of the 25 in the "Marines in World War II Commemorative Series", published by the U.S. Marine Corps. It is about the operations by the four Marine Raider Battalions during World War II in the Pacific against the Japanese. The units were the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Marine Raider Battalions and the 1st and 2nd Marine Raider Regiments. There is no table of contents nor any index. There is a good bibliography in Sources, at the end.

Sidebars:
-- Major General Merritt A. Edson, USMC
-- Brigadier General Evans F. Carlson, USMC
-- Destroyer Transports
-- Raider Weapons and Equipment
-- Carlson's Patrol (actually more of a map with text)
-- The Raider Training Center
-- The Raider Patch

Some minor issues:
-- Page 20, the map needs 'N' for north, which I believe is to the right
-- Page 20, where is Tasimboko?
-- Page 21, where is Asamana?
-- Page 27, the regimental symbol needs to have the '03' changed to '103'
-- Page 30, the map, where are Zanana and Piraka (from page 27)? They should be on this map.
-- Page 27, there is reference to enemy machine guns, including .50-caliber models. They should be referred to as 12.7mm models (or possibly 6.5mm, 7.7mm or 13mm).
-- Page 27, where are Regi, Tombe and Tetemara?
-- Page 33, the map should appear earlier in the book. This is also true of other maps.
-- Pages 32 and 34, on the maps, label the Giza Giza and Tamoko Rivers.
-- I could find no mention of Navy medics.

Anecdotes:
-- Boys .55 caliber antitank rifles (the photo on page 28).

Read from November 18 to 19, 2010.… (mais)