D-Days in the Pacific with the U.S. Coast Guard

The Story of Lucky Thirteen

By: Ken Wiley

Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright

Winner of the 2008 Foundation for Coast Guard History Book Award

The images of soldiers and marines coming ashore on hostile shores are embedded in our collective memory of World War II. But what of the sailors who manned the landing craft, going back and forth under fire with nowhere to take cover, their craft the special targets of enemy gunners?

In this book, Ken Wiley, a Coast Guardsman on an Attack Transport in the Pacific, relates the intricate, often nerve-wracking story of how the United States projected its power across 6,000 miles in the teeth of fanatical Japanese resistance. Each invasion was a swirl of moving parts, from frogmen to fire support, transport mother ships to Attack Transports, the smaller Higgins boats (LCVPs), and during the last terrifying stage the courageous men who would storm the beaches.

The author participated in the campaigns for the Marshall Islands, the Marianas, the Philippines and Okinawa, and with a precise eye for detail relates numerous aspects of landing craft operations, such as ferrying wounded, that are often discounted. He conveys the terror and horrors of war, as well as, on occasion, the thrill, while not neglecting the humor and cameraderie of wartime life.

An exciting book, full of harrowing combat action, D-Days in the Pacific also provides a valuable service in expanding our knowledge of exactly how World War II's massive amphibious operations were undertaken.

©2010 Ken Wiley (P)2018 Tantor

Beautiful story

It’s hard to describe a book about WW2 as beautiful but that is the best word I could come up with.
A 17 year boy transition to a man as the book unfolds. Plenty of adventure without blood and guts. Truthfulness as he describes his feelings about girls, buddies and the war he is fighting.
Great book easy read.

Kept me well engaged

I think it started slow with early chapters about the authors childhood, but very glad I continued listening.

Exceptional story depicting the US Coast Guard

Great portrayal of USCG significant part in WWII. Should be made into a blockbuster movie

Past is Prologue

Excellent personal history of the Pacific war. A must-read for understanding "innovations" in current naval warfare.

Amazing Story from a different perspective of WWII

I highly recommend to this book for anyone looking for a just as dangerous, but different perspective of someone who served during WWII!