The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America's Unknown Soldier and WWI's Most Decorated Heroes Who Brought Him Home
May 2018 · Atlantic Monthly Press
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The award-winning combat historian and author of Washington's Immortals honors the Unknown Soldier with this "gripping story" of America's part in WWI ( Washington Times).
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery. Originally constructed in 1921 to hold one of the thousands of unidentified American soldiers lost in World War I, it now receives millions of visitors each year. "With exhaustive research and fluid prose," historian Patrick O'Donnell illuminates the saga behind the creation of the Tomb itself, and the stories of the soldiers who took part in its consecration ( Wall Street Journal).
When the first Unknown Soldier was laid to rest in Arlington, General John Pershing selected eight of America's most decorated veterans to serve as Body Bearers. These men appropriately spanned America's service branches and specialties. Their ranks include a cowboy who relived the charge of the light brigade, an American Indian who heroically breached mountains of German barbed wire, a salty New Englander who dueled a U-boat for hours in a fierce gunfight, a tough New Yorker who sacrificed his body to save his ship, and an indomitable gunner who, though blinded by gas, nonetheless overcame five machine-gun nests.
In telling the stories of these brave men, O'Donnell shines a light on the service of all veterans, including the hero they brought home. Their stories present an intimate narrative of America's involvement in the Great War, transporting readers into the midst of dramatic battles that ultimately decided the conflict.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery. Originally constructed in 1921 to hold one of the thousands of unidentified American soldiers lost in World War I, it now receives millions of visitors each year. "With exhaustive research and fluid prose," historian Patrick O'Donnell illuminates the saga behind the creation of the Tomb itself, and the stories of the soldiers who took part in its consecration ( Wall Street Journal).
When the first Unknown Soldier was laid to rest in Arlington, General John Pershing selected eight of America's most decorated veterans to serve as Body Bearers. These men appropriately spanned America's service branches and specialties. Their ranks include a cowboy who relived the charge of the light brigade, an American Indian who heroically breached mountains of German barbed wire, a salty New Englander who dueled a U-boat for hours in a fierce gunfight, a tough New Yorker who sacrificed his body to save his ship, and an indomitable gunner who, though blinded by gas, nonetheless overcame five machine-gun nests.
In telling the stories of these brave men, O'Donnell shines a light on the service of all veterans, including the hero they brought home. Their stories present an intimate narrative of America's involvement in the Great War, transporting readers into the midst of dramatic battles that ultimately decided the conflict.
The award-winning combat historian and author of Washington's Immortals honors the Unknown Soldier with this "gripping story" of America's part in WWI ( Washington Times).
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery. Originally constructed in 1921 to hold one...
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Ratings and reviews
3 reviews
A Google user
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August 29, 2018
Okay as a light review if the AEF in WWI... misleading in its title.
1 person found this review helpful
Al Russo
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October 12, 2023
Great insight and personal history
About the author
Bestselling author Patrick K. O'Donnell is a combat historian who has written nine books, including the William E. Colby Award winner Beyond Valor, Dog Company, and We Were One (selected for the Marine Commandant's Professional Reading List). The author is the recipient of numerous awards include the prestigious OSS Society's John Waller Award. Visit him at patrickkodonnell.com and Facebook.com/patrickkodonnell.
Bestselling author Patrick K. O'Donnell is a combat historian who has written nine books, including the William E. Colby Award winner Beyond Valor, Dog Company, and We Were One (selected for the Marine Commandant's Professional Reading List). The author is the recipient of numerous awards include...
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