Guadalcanal Diary

 It was probably one of the main reasons I had an early interest in journalism. Journalist Richard Tregaskis' intense writing had me riveted, and staying up late because it was very hard to put down. I was only 12 when this book captured me.

Many things hung in the balance in that pivotal battle in WWII. The U.S. desparately needed a victory in that early chaotic phase of the war. None of it came easy as Japan had control of the sea and air when U.S. forces landed there. Those factors contributed to the misery Marines, soldiers, and airmen suffered to gain control of this key island in the Solomons.

His book was made into a movie in 1943 with the island only recently secured.

Tregaskis' journalistic career would be worthy of a movie, too. The tall 6-7 New Jersey native covered more of WWII before also reporting from Korea and Vietnam. Ironically, he died from drowning while swimming near his home, suffering a heart attack in Hawaii at age 56.