The Last Lieutenant: A Foxhole View of the Epic Battle for Iwo Jima

The Last Lieutenant: A Foxhole View…
by: John C. Shively
New:$19.59
List:$27.95
“Shively has documented in a very readable fashion the transformation of a young Hoosier into a disciplined member of the United States Marine Corps. His book is a detailed and touching tale of one man’s experience of the battle of Iwo Jima, and the many excellent photographs and maps enhance the story.” — Major General Fred Haynes, USMC (Ret.)
The 36-day assault on the small volcanic island known as Iwo Jima resulted in more than 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 dead. Of the 20,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived. The Marines’ efforts secured what would become a vital emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. Twenty-seven Medals of Honor were awarded to Marines and sailors, many posthumously, more than were awarded for any other single operation during the war.
Jim Craig was a platoon commander with the Marines on Iwo Jima. This book presents his story, as told to his nephew, John C. Shively. A particularly vivid and exciting account of some of the most intense fighting of the Pacific War, the immediacy of the story is heightened by the detail that Shively’s research has added to Craig’s recollections. The result is one of the most realistic depictions of combat ever written.


October 2nd, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Must Read
This is an absolute must read for anyone interested in World War 2, the Pacific battles, the Battle of Iwo Jima, or close combat war stories of any type.
August 3rd, 2011 at 10:55 am
A pretty good view of one person’s view of a battle.
The Last Lieutenant was a book written by the nephew of the Marine that participated in this battle.
October 15th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Big Battle-Little Island=Casualties
Doc Bowen, who landed on Iwo Jima Feb 19,1945, loaned me this book after we attended the Iwo Jima 65th anniversary luncheon at the Marine’s Memorial Hotel in San Francisco.
October 19th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
The Last Lieutenant
I live in Indiana near the subject of this book and I was impressed by his bravery. One third of the Marines on Iwo Jima were either killed or wounded and he was the only…
August 23rd, 2011 at 2:24 am
OK book
This book is deffinitely not written by a historian but someone who is just interested in history. The story in itself is great but the author leaves something to be desired as…
September 26th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Excellent personal account of war
I really enjoyed this personal account of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Very well researched and a great look at life during World War 2.
Riveting Account
The Last Lieutenant is an epic tribute to a brave man thrust into the ***** of Iwo Jima. This book becomes a riveting read as you move from training to battle, to the savagery that…
August 1st, 2011 at 1:32 pm
A LITTLE DIFFERENT
Actually I enjoyed this book. It’s a pretty short read, but not short on content. It doesn’t contain as much vivid and gory details as most books on Iwo Jima, but what it does…
November 14th, 2011 at 3:19 am
I couldn’t put this book down
As with FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, I found THE LAST LIEUTENANT to be completely riveting. I’m a big fan of military books, and this is as good as it gets.