Eugene B. Sledge, A Marine We Should Know
Marines should be familiar with Eugene B. Sledge's book about his personal experience in ground combat in the pacific called With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa.
Born in 1923, Mr. Sledge grew up in Mobile Alabama. He enlisted in the Marine Corps with the intent of becoming an Officer, but decided he didn't want to miss the war so he stayed enlisted. He eventually joined Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division where he served as a mortarman. He saw combat with Kilo 3/5 on Peleliu and Okinawa and was assigned to Beijing China following the war. Eugene Sledge was discharged as a Corporal in early 1946.
Following the war Mr. Sledge attended Auburn where he received his BS and Masters in Botany. He also attended the University of Florida where he worked as a research assistant and published numerous papers on helminthology. He received his doctorate in biology from the University of Florida in 1960. Mr. Sledge taught at the University of Montevallo from 1962-1990, where held the position of Professor of Biology when he retired in 1990.
Mr. Sledge published his memoir With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
in 1981. He was also featured in the documentary film Peleliu 1944: Horror in the Pacific. His second book, China Marine: An Infantryman's Life after World War II
, was published posthumously after his death in 2001. Along with Robert Leckie's book Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific
, Sledge's With the Old Breed is part of the basis for the 2010 HBO Mini-series The Pacific
. Resources by and about Eugene B. Sledge
The Pacific
Peleliu 1944: Horror in the Pacific
With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa
China Marine: An Infantryman's Life after World War II
Eugene B. Sledge on Wikipedia
Posted by Leading Marines.com at 3/14/2010 12:36 PM 
Categories: Marines you should know
Tags: USMC History combat leadership Marine Corps Legacy Marine Corps History
Categories: Marines you should know
Tags: USMC History combat leadership Marine Corps Legacy Marine Corps History
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