William H. Rupertus is known for writing the “Rifleman's Creed”. Here in this book, you find out more about the man, the man who lost his first family when he was in China only to find love again years later and together they had a son. He would write her and his son while away preparing for and then commanding the landing and invasion of Guadacanal and the surrounding Islands. The author takes you the training and then the days of the invasion, his discussions with staff and also with other personnel. Again like other WWII books about the Pacific, I am less and less a fan of MacArthur and still don’t get what people see in him just my opinion. Once they are done with that then they move on to Peleliue which was not good at all if you have read anything about that battle. You still get a behind the scene look at things as how they went down and how planes needed to be changed as they went along.
Really a wonderful story and by the time he finally gets home for a break to see his wife and son in a few short days he passes away, not in battle but with friends and in the arms of his wife sad, tragic but fitting I think passing away with the person you love. Overall a very good book which I had heard, and read the name before but did not know anything about the man. A wonderful book and very much a hero for the U.S. This book is a must-read. I received this book from Netgalley.com

I love reading memoir and biographies of WWII heroes especially Marines because my favorite part of WWII history is the Pacific theater which unfortunately didn't learn about in my high school or college history classes. I also enjoyed reading about the Marine that gave us the Corps Rifleman's Creed. As the daughter of a Marine that Creed along with the Marine Corps Hymn has long since been committed to my memory. What makes this book even more special is that General Rupertus's granddaughter wrote the book.

General Rupertus Old Breed General indeed. Mrs. Rupertus Peacock has done Military Historians a service by re-introducing us to the pre-World War Two Marine Corp and how the lessons learned in far away uncomfortable places were adapted on a global scale. The Marine Corp has always been the most adaptable of organizations while maintaining its ethos of Light, Austere and Lethal.

This is just a good WWII read! I read an early pre-edited copy. Editing issues aside, this book told the detailed story of Marines of the 1st Marine Division "the Old Breed" and their leader Maj.Gen. William Rupertus. The author's tells of the personal side of Rupertus' life, including the loss of his first wife and two children while stationed in China in the 1930's.They go on to give an in-depth look his leadership in the island hopping campaign from Guadalcanal to Peleliu, and some of the smaller, less reported battles of the war. The author's do an great job giving vivid details to events and Rupertus' decision making, One of the author's personal relationship to the General and her access to his personal writings and papers brought the story to life.
#rowman #netgalley

What a truly inspirational biography! This was truly one of America’s great military leaders in the Pacific in WW2. The hardships that he and his troops experienced were heartbreaking. This is a must read for the history enthusiast!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.