audiobook The Forgotten - Volume One by William A. Cummins in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Old men;Old war;Old memories!By Old Rotten BillThe Forgotten - Volume One The concept of attempting to tell a story in the words of the participants after so many years gone by is rather daunting. In that the author was not in that conflict even further makes for mistakes. The chronological setting of stories is somewhat confusing and have no apparent set pattern. The initial story in re the Marine and the flag at Seoul is great in that it explains the mental state initiated in basic training to all Marines. His exploits and that of his comrades in arms during and after the initial invasion that lead to horrendous losses is well written. However I feel personally that his actions and life after Korea although exemplary are covered to excess. From the stand point of "been there;done that" I arrived in The Land Of The Morning Calm well before the USMC came ashore at Masan. This during the rather rapid southerly "advance to the rear" of our forces that evolved into the Pusan Perimeter. When it appeared that maybe we would need a whole fleet to get our buns out of the fire. I was in Tac Air Control Squadron and was actively engaged with the Army ground units hightailing out of harms way. My team had the honor of covering the Marines arriving as they entered the fracas prior to their controllers being available. My admiration for the American Dog Faces and what they accomplished is without equal. Later during this "Police Action" I was assigned to the Thirteenth Bomb Squadron; Third Bomb Group; and flew combat sorties in the Douglas Invader; B-26; aircraft. My story is included in this tome for which I'm duly proud. On the whole what Cummins has tried to do is commendable but the participation of other early birds to the fray is needed to flesh out the job the American G.I.s did in the first four months. Now friends that was scary!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. THE FORGOTTEN Review 5 starBy John R. KennedyTHE FORGOTTENIt is my opinion that the Book entitled "THE FORGOTTEN" is the finest book ever written and published about the Korean War; and it rates a 5 star status. I am honored that I served with Charlie Company of the Fifth Marine Regiment; and I will never forget my participation nor will I forget the wonderful group of Marines that I served with in Korea during December 1950 through September 1951. Sometimes we felt like our country did not support us during the Korean War; and it seemed like we were only fighting for the glory of The United States Marine Corps. This book makes me feel like our efforts were not in vain; and the generations to follow will be given their grandfathers memories of Korea with "THE FORGOTTEN".This great book has three parts. Section I is The Forgotten Flag a very important planting of the American Flag by Marine PFC Luther R. Leguire over the American Ambassador's residence in Seoul after the invasion by the First Marine Division. It also covers his platoon being ambushed in Koto-ri near the Chosin Reservoir; and being the only survivor he prayed to live so he could serve God the rest of his life. Luther Leguire kept his promise and with much struggle became a very successful Pastor in Lake City; Florida. He also developed Camp Montgomery for young boys and girls that modeled the discipline of a Marine Boot Camp.Section II covers The Forgotten War and contains the Inchon Invasion; the Chinese Intervention; the Stalemate at the DMZ and 35 stories that are personal memories from veterans of the United States military. You will learn about the antics of General Fred "Boots" Blesse the great Army Air Corps fighter pilot. Hear about Cpl Robert McGuire of the United States Army 7th Division talk about his adventure at the Iron Triangle Hill. You will read about how SSGT Andrew B. Jackson; USMC could not drive trucks of ammunition to the Chosin Reservoir because it was surrounded by the Chinese Army. He had the Greeks fly their boxcars at ground level over the reservoir. They opened the back door; took the plane straight up and let Andy and his passengers; along with War Correspondent Maggie Higgins and her crew; slide out with the ammunition on a mound of 7 feet of snow.Section III- The Forgotten Victory. This became a United Nations event when North Korea invaded South Korea. Twenty-two nations responded to the call of the United Nations to defend freedom. South Korea is now known as the Asian Tiger; and its capital Seoul is the second largest metropolitan city in the world. South Korea is now leading several key industries in the world in the field of science and technology. Without the United States intervention during the Korean War there would be a tragic domination of Communism throughout the Pacific nations.After reading the marvelous publication by William Cummins from Port Orange; Florida called "THE FORGOTTEN" it becomes apparent to me that the most important contribution by me in my lifetime and the one thing that I am most proud of is that I served in a rifle company in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.Rick Kennedy3780 S Clyde Morris Blvd Apt 503Port Orange FL 323129386-761-09120 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Korean War Veterans Tell Their StoriesBy Rodman L. UnderwoodSometimes you can't tell a book by its cover. So it is with "The Forgotten." On the cover a soldier is raising a US flag above the American Ambassador's residence at Seoul; Korea in September 1950. The photograph mimics a similar event on Iwo Jima in 1945. The symbolism of both events is quite different. The flag is raised temporarily in Korea because Seoul is reoccupied by the enemy in less than four months. The Iwo Jima event symbolized the fall of the Island to the US. One might assume this book is about the American flag and patriotism. Not so!Instead the focus is upon the stories of 35 Korean War Veterans. These narratives are the reason for writing this book and the misplaced focus on the flag serves to distract the reader. The focus is dimmed further by the author's decision not to commence these narratives until reaching about one-quarter of the way into the book. These stories are interesting and provide insight into the conduct of this war. Some accounts are mundane; some are horrific. But the common thread is that all these men carried out their tasks to the best of their abilities.The veteran's stories are placed randomly with no organized thread. Comprehension could have been improved by placing the stories chronologically. Strangely the author has chosen not to place the stories in that sequence although he has written chronological historical material elsewhere that would serve as framework for a systematic presentation.The author states that "the purpose of this book is to educate; inspire; and entertain." In large part he has achieved this goal through publishing the veteran's stories in their own words. "The Forgotten" stands as an adequate supplement to standard history texts on the Korean War.