Reading In Harm's Way

debazz · Newbie

Reading In Harm's Way

tbalunis · Member

If you enjoy In Harm's Way, look up a book I recently published entitled,
"60 YEARS LATER," a Small Town Discovers a Hero in Their Midst, by Tom Balunis. It is the story of William Van Wilpe - (whose name is mentioned in the book, In Harm's Way) Van Wilpe was a rescuer from the USS Bassett who dove into the shark infested water to save many of the Indy survivors that night. I am a Councilman in Wanaque that helped the Wanaque, NJ VFW obtain the US Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism for Van Wilpe in 2005. There is a lot of information on the rescue you will not get anywhere else - thanks to Bill sitting down for an interview with me in 2007.

usskittyhawk · Member

I have heard of Stanton's book In Harm's Way for many years, but don't really care to read "history" books. However, this holiday, I found it to be the only book in the house. I relunctantly picked it up and started reading it. I could not put it down. Now I read it every chance I get. I'm still not done yet - though I know how it ends - I can't wait every day to have a moment to keep reading it. I don't regret not reading it sooner, but now that I am reading it, I can't help but tell everyone about it. I think it is one of those stories that, thanks to this book, will continue to be rediscovered and told for a long time to come. My thanks to Doug Stanton for the exceptionally well-written story, but, moreover, my heartfelt appreciation to the crew and family whose lives made this story what America is today.

It is one of the most riveting books ever in my mind. Unfortunately, I don't have the book. However, I have it on cassette. Truly a masterpiece.

-- Edited by usskittyhawk on Tuesday 14th of July 2009 01:41:53 PM

garytayllor37 · Newbie

I had never heard of the story of the Indy until a recent night out.A mate lent me the book and I read it from cover to cover almost without putting it down.
A great injustice has been done to Captain McVay but also to the crew who were ledt by the incompetencies of the Naval command at the time.I have read and seen many books and films on the 2nd world war but this one really is the heart wrenchingtowrds the end.