Old Glory Stories: American Combat Leadership in World War II

by Cole C. Kingseed

Rather than a history of battles and campaigns, this book is an analysis of leadership in combat over three continents and across two oceans. It looks at how soldiers react in war - how sergeants,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159114440X
• ISBN13: 9781591144403
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press
• Length: 345 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Brilliant End to Colonel Kingseed's World War II Trilogy

"The American army that fought World War II reflected both the strengths and weaknesses of a democracy at war...Although lacking the professionalism that marked the Wehrmacht in 1939, the individual GI proved a quick learner." Colonel Cole C. Kingseed's conclusion is proven again and again in this marvelous series of essays of some of the most remarkable, brilliant, brave, and very human soldiers in the history of this nation. This is the third of three recent combat tomes penned by the prolific Colonel Cole Kingseed in the last year. The first two were the inspiring personal stories of Joe Dawson of the First Infantry Division and Dick Winter of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II. Colonel Kingseed expands his knowledgeable reach in Old Glory Stories and covers U.S. Army heroes on both the European and Pacific theaters. The first half of this indispensable volume is dedicated to the commanders. The dash and flaws of Generals Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, Stillwell, Gavin, and MacArthur are well-told in concise profiles. The galaxy of stars reads like a West Point Alumni directory. In the second half of the book, Colonel Kingseed takes a look at the war through the eyes of GIs who were more on the level of Bill Mauldin's Willie and Joe. We again meet Dawson and Winters and still marvel at their leadership under harrowing conditions. One is left to wonder how different the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge might have turned out, if not for two citizen soldiers named Len Lomell and Lyle Bouck. Being at the right place and the right time does not do justice to their actions in those fiercely bloody struggles. It is also heartening to read about the courage of Vernon J. Baker of the Buffalo soldiers and Charity Adams of the Women's Army Corps. Not only did these two fearless soldiers endure the hardships of the war, they also overcame of ugly racism and gross bigotry from fellow American soldiers. Colonel Kingseed had the privilege and honor to interview many of these exceptional people. It's hard not to envy the time he spent in their presence. Not one of them claimed to be a hero. They were just doing their duty and hoped they measured up to their awesome responsibilities. It's very clear from these pages that they achieved their objective. Finally, Kingseed acknowledges the importance of Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall. "No officer had a more profound impact on the performance of the U.S. Army as a whole." It's just a shame Cole neglected to mention Marshall's alma mater, the Virginia Military Institute: the West Point of the South. Or perhaps West Point is the VMI of the North. The United States was blessed to have this pantheon of leaders in the field during our darkest hours of the 20th century. We pray that the nation's civilian leadership will be as wise when committing today's young men and women into harm's way. They are far to precious to waste under false and foolish premises.

A compilation of true stories of valor and especially leadership

Written by a thirty-year U.S. Army veteran, Old Glory Stories: American Combat Leadership In World War II is a compilation of true stories of valor and especially leadership. The first part of Old Glory Stories focuses on the American generals of WW II; the second examines junior leaders, dubbed "warriors" by the author, who fought German and Japanese armies on the front lines. By exploring American leadership in both the grand picture and gritty detail, Old Glory Stories offers a comprehensive view of the qualities that surfaced when they were most needed from the greatest generation.

Fasinating Story of What Makes for Leadership

Just how the U.S. Army was able to produce such qualified leaders to fight World War II amazes me. The qualifications for a 'between the wars' soldier had to do with playing polo, being very patient as increases in rank came very slowly, living very poor as Army pay was pathetic, keeping up with the right people, drinking enough but not too much, marrying someone who assist in working toward your promotions. And what we got out of that background came Patton and Stilwell, Bradley and Hodges, Eisenhower and MacArthur and of course Marshall. To be sure we also got Fredendall and Lucas, but they were quickly replaced. This book tells the story of the combat leaders. Not only the commanding generals but lower level commanders such as Dick Winters (of 'Band of Brothers' fame) and Audie Murphy, Paul Tibbets. I read the exploits of these men and stand in awe. How to understand what they did? I was reminded of Sherman's comment about Grant: 'Grant has 4 am courage, you wake him up at 4 am when a disaster is in the making and he is cool as can be, making decisions, the right decisions.' (I'm not sure of the exact wording.) From the Butter Bar Lieutenant to Eisenhower worrying about the weather this is what's required. But just part of what's required. Fascinating stories.