DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY The eighty-four men and women who tell their stories exemplify these words. From the home front to the battlefront and from behind the lines, their words speak of loss, pain, fear, loneliness, selflessness, faith and hope. As one veteran said, “World War II caused me to understand that I served my country for a purpose greater than myself.” Many of these soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines served in nearly every major battle in Europe and the Pacific including: Pearl Harbor, the invasion of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Their sacrifice for our country is a debt which cannot be repaid. They represent the best of “The Greatest Generation.” "This book is a fitting tribute to those Hoosiers who gave their all for the cause of freedom during World War II. The personal stories of those who served offer a window into a time that should be remembered." -Ray Boomhower, Indiana historian and author “Hodgin and Hardwick have produced an interesting and informative compendium of World War II stories of veterans that should instill a sense of pride in students and adults of all ages. The book has a readable style of a period in our history that we would do well not to forget.” John Shively, M.D., Author and WW II historian “A must read for both historians and those desiring to learn more about one of the most decisive periods in our nation’s history. The authors have not only captured the veterans’ stories but also the sights and sounds of what many were thinking when facing death, hardships and struggling to survive.” J. Stewart Goodwin, Brig. Gen., USAF (Ret), Executive Director, Indiana War Memorials “This book is an absorbing collection of stories from the men and women of the “Greatest Generation.” Their stories illustrate some of the pain and incredible atrocities they witnessed, and at the same time, the friendships and joys they experienced. A must read for every person who wants to know what it was really like during WW II.” Charles “Tom” Applegate, Director, Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs