135-pound child to a hardened Purple Heart winning sergeant *A unique view of the heat of battle experienced by an under-aged non-commissioned officer *A critical narrative set against a carefully researched background Wurst spent the most of World War II in the European Theatre of Operations as a squad leader or platoon sergeant in Company F, 505. He made three of the four regimental combat jumps, dropping into Italy, Normandy, and Holland. Highlights include his baptism of fire in Italy during the Battle of Arnone, D ...
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135-pound child to a hardened Purple Heart winning sergeant *A unique view of the heat of battle experienced by an under-aged non-commissioned officer *A critical narrative set against a carefully researched background Wurst spent the most of World War II in the European Theatre of Operations as a squad leader or platoon sergeant in Company F, 505. He made three of the four regimental combat jumps, dropping into Italy, Normandy, and Holland. Highlights include his baptism of fire in Italy during the Battle of Arnone, D-Day jump and the liberation of Ste. M�re Eglise for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. Wurst also details his grueling month of combat in the hedgerows of Normandy (a second Purple Heart) and the ferocious battle with the SS for the highway bridge at Nijmegen, Holland (Silver Star). He also survived in the Ardennes, where he found himself as point man on his twentieth birthday, in a long march toward the shoulder of the Bulge. Initial chapters chronicle his training before mobilization, when he lied about being 15 to the National Guard in Erie, Pennsylvania, and his later experience in a heavy weapons company of the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. In 1941, Wurst was on a truck returning from First Army maneuvers in the Carolinas to Indiantown Gap Military Reservation when he heard the news of the attack at Pearl Harbor. He recounts life at Camps Livingston and Beauregard in Louisiana, and at the newly formed Parachute School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was stationed in the infamous "Frying Pan" area. Descending From The Clouds portrays the passage from innocence to experience. Wurst tells his story as the coming of age of the American military: fewer than twenty men per company who started with the 505 in the Frying Pan returned home.
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Publisher:
Casemate Publishers and Book Distributors
Published:
2004
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17876777514
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Seller's Description:
Fine Condition. Dust jacket is fully intact. Internally, clean and fresh, with unmarked and uncreased pages. Overall, very sound and presentable. Size: 24 x 15.9 x 2.4 cm. 266 pp. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Biography & Autobiography; Wurst, Spencer; Wurst, Spencer F (Spencer Free); United States Army Parachute Infantry Regiment, 505th; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front; United States Army--Parachute troops--Biography; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; World War, 1939-1945--Regimental histories--United States; Soldiers--United States--Biography; Genre; Personal narratives, American; Biography; ISBN: 1932033319. ISBN/EAN: 9781932033311. Add. Inventory No: 240211RST005027.
Publisher:
Casemate Publishers and Book Distributors
Published:
2005
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17085338499
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Seller's Description:
Fair. This is a USED book, it is subject to external and interior wear including, underlining, highlighting, annotations, water damage, minor scuffs and tears. This is a donated book accepted as is. Stickers and sticker residue on the cover should be expected, as well as spine wear from use. There are NO codes or disc(s) included. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days. Thank you for supporting Goodwill of OC.
Publisher:
Casemate Publishers and Book Distributors
Published:
2004
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
17877249547
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Seller's Description:
Fine Condition in Fine jacket. Dust Jacket is in fine condition without tears or chips or other damage. Quantity Available: 1. Category: World War II; ISBN: 1932033319. ISBN/EAN: 9781932033311. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 6778.
Publisher:
Casemate Publishers and Book Distributors
Published:
2005
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
18080213106
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!