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The New York Times bestselling memoir of survival and heroism at Pearl Harbor"An unforgettable story of unfathomable courage." - Readers DigestIn this, the first memoir by a USS Arizona survivor, Donald Stratton delivers an inspiring and unforgettable eyewitness account of the Pearl Harbor attack and his remarkable return to the fight. At 8:06 a.m. on December 7, 1941, Seaman First Class Donald Stratton was consumed by an inferno. A million pounds of explosives had detonated beneath his battle station aboard the USS Arizona, barely fifteen minutes into Japans surprise attack on American forces at Pearl Harbor. Near death and burned across two thirds of his body, Don, a nineteen-year-old Nebraskan who had been steeled by the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, summoned the will to haul himself hand over hand across a rope tethered to a neighboring vessel. Forty-five feet below, the harbors flaming, oil-slick water boiled with enemy bullets; all around him the world tore itself apart. In this extraordinary never-before-told eyewitness account of the Pearl Harbor attack - the only memoir ever written by a survivor of the USS Arizona - ninety-four-year-old veteran Donald Stratton finally shares his unforgettable personal tale of bravery and survival on December 7, 1941, his harrowing recovery, and his inspiring determination to return to the fight. Don and four other sailors made it safely across the same line that morning, a small miracle on a day that claimed the lives of 1,177 of their Arizona shipmates - approximately half the American fatalaties at Pearl Harbor. Sent to military hospitals for a year, Don refused doctors advice to amputate his limbs and battled to relearn how to walk. The U.S. Navy gave him a medical discharge, believing he would never again be fit for service, but Don had unfinished business. In June 1944, he sailed back into the teeth of the Pacific War on a destroyer, destined for combat in the crucial battles of Leyte Gulf, Luzon, and Okinawa, thus earning the distinction of having been present for the opening shots and the final major battle of Americas Second World War.As the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack approaches, Don, a great-grandfather of five and one of five living survivors of the Arizona, offers an unprecedentedly intimate reflection on the tragedy that drew America into the greatest armed conflict in history. All the Gallant Men is a book for the ages, one of the most remarkable - and remarkably inspiring - memoirs of any kind to appear in recent years.



About the Author

Ken Gire

Ken Gire attended Texas Christian University where he earned a degree in History and Speech. In 1978 he graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Masters in Old Testament Literature and Exegisis. From there he embarked on a career of fulltime writing which has resulted in the publication of more than twenty books, several of which have won prestigious awards. He has worked with well known names such as Chuck Swindoll and Eugene Peterson. As well, Ken serves as a speaker in a variety of settings such as the Billy Graham Training Center, Young Life and Bill and Gloria Gaither's Praise Gathering.

Ken has a heart for helping individuals create space for reflection so as to develop their personal relationships with others and God. While his books speak to the deep seated need of individuals to slow down and live more reflective lives, Ken has also founded a nonprofit ministry to address this issue. Reflective Living works with individuals, helping them to develop a more reflective lifestyle in order that they might experience radical change, authentic relationships and most importantly: a deeper walk with God. You can reach Ken on his Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/kengire.



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