{"product_id":"now-hear-this-a-marines-diary-9798822970328","title":"Now Hear This: A Marine's Diary","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience a young marine's harrowing horrors and heartwarming honors in the 1940s through wartime and peace. His true account comes from the pages of a personal diary 60+ years old. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn August 21, 1942, 20-year-old Edward G. Waller enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Over the next three years, the memories created on distant foreign shores and seas will never be forgotten.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eNow Hear This: Secure From General Quarters A Marine's Diary\u003c\/em\u003e, Edward's family has released his personal accounts of World War II, and the unique part he had to play.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot only does \u003cem\u003eNow Hear This\u003c\/em\u003e cover Edward's service with the famed Black Sheep Squadron VMF 214 under the command of the legendary Major Gregory \"Pappy\" Boyington in 1943-it also includes the jaw-dropping account of surviving the worst naval disaster in the history of the United States Navy. He was aboard the aircraft carrier \u003cem\u003eUSS Franklin\u003c\/em\u003e on March 19, 1945, when the Japanese forces bombed and heavily damaged the ship, killing over 800 crewmen. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, it also chronicles the beautiful love story between Edward and Betty, who weathered a global crisis together before they got the chance to marry and start their family.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike many other servicemen, Edward's service was filled with many incidents, varying from laugh-out-loud moments of relief to the extreme horrors of war. Throughout his life, he never forgot the flashbacks, the painful experiences, or the emotional and physical scars he received through WWII. The personal experiences offered to readers in \u003cem\u003eNow Hear This \u003c\/em\u003eprovides an intimate look at the moments of war most are lucky not to endure. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWaller, Edward G.:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Edward G. Waller enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 20. Serving as ground crew for the legendary VMF-214 squadron in the Solomon Islands, he joined the USS Franklin in January 1945. On March 19, during a Japanese attack, his ship sustained catastrophic damage, claiming over 800 lives.Honorably discharged in October 1945, Edward returned home to his fiancée, Betty. They eloped shortly after the war ended. They raised five children and welcomed 12 grandchildren. Even after enduring wartime hardships as a young Marine, he was known as a loving husband and father. Edward passed from natural causes in 1994, leaving a legacy of resilience and love.","brand":"Palmetto Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51325187555602,"sku":"9798822970328","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_3828c51c-9065-4145-9b5b-19ac6921a41a.jpg?v=1748718598","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/now-hear-this-a-marines-diary-9798822970328","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}