Tom Vander Veur

Terrific book. Great reporting. My father was with the 1st Marine Division landing on Guadalcanal. He made it back and told some of his experiences to me. Said he weighed 98 lbs. when he was relieved. Recuperated in Australia then went to Cape Gloucester for his next battle. He was 28 when he enlisted in the marines day after Pearl Harbor. Had malaria several times and died in 1992 at 78. A great dad and a great marine. He knew John Basilone. I have a book signed by Lt. General Chesty Puller titeled Marine! Dad met him years after the war in 1966. Guadalcanal Diary is a must read for anyone who likes authentic military works straight from the source.