Paly ~ Class of '61
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REMEMBERING THE DISASTROUS BATTLE
OF ATTU ISLAND
Randall L. Got - Amazon
This historical novella begins with the graduation day of Albert P. Fong from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1941. He and two of his best friends Charlie Atwood and Tony Ricci decide to enlist in the Army. Because of their college educations they are admitted to the officer's training school at Fort Benning, Georgia. They call themselves the Springfield Musketeers and adopt the motto, "All for one and one for all". After they complete their training, they become 2nd lieutenants assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Motorized Infantry Regiment, 7th Army Divisionat at Fort Ord in California. They are trained in desert warfare in anticipation of fighting the Germans in North Africa to help Britain win the war against Germany and Italy in case the U.S. is pulled into WWII .
Unexpectedly, when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war on the Empire of Japan and its Axis Allies. Soon Japan invaded the islands of Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands which was an American Territory. It was the first time a foreign power did so since the War of 1812. Their occupation of those islands was unopposed by the American military as it established strongholds and airfields to protect their eastern flank of Japan and to gain strategic positions in the Pacific Islands. When the U.S. Army finally started to invade Attu Island on May 11, 1943, the Japanese had over 2,500 soldiers under the command of Colonel Yamasaki. The Springfield Musketeers must battle the most horrendous battle, suffering the second highest casualty rate next to Iwo Jima. Will Albert, Charlie, and Tony survive the Battle of Attu Island? Or will it be, "All for one and one for all", united we stand divided we fall?
ATTENTION - Paly Veterans et al: Hoping you can provide some additional information for this Paly senior who has done a yeoman's job researching and gathering photos and articles for his book. If you're interested in contacting him, you can use the Contact Us form and I'll send you his email address or for those who have my email address, contact me directly.
Many thanks in advance for being willing to help this student out. Pam
My name is Harvey Vostrejs. I am currently a senior at Paly, and am working on a book about Paly students who gave their lives during war, specifically WW2, Korea and Vietnam. I would love to hear some personal stories from alumni who experienced these times. Click on the link below to give it a look! Thanks so much, Harvey Vostrejs https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dFYhu75q9zHWK_NGTJNtrVI5KcpMUagh3ttz9vuYRRE/edit?usp=sharing |
Campaniles, Madronos, and more... click on > http://palyjournalismarchive.pausd.org/ ABOUT THE COLLECTIONThe Palo Alto High School Journalism Archive preserves over 120 years of student voices by digitizing award-winning Paly publications from 1895 to present day. Explore this unique collection, which offers student perspectives on important local, national and international events. All Madronos, available Campaniles and other publications are included in these archives. |
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