I Will Hold

The Story of USMC Legend Clifton B. Cates from Belleau Wood to Victory in the Great War

By: James Carl Nelson

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

The incredible true story of Clifton B. "Lucky" Cates, whose service in World War I and beyond made him a legend in the annals of the Marine Corps.

Cates knew that he and his small band of marines were in a desperate spot. Before handing the note over to a runner, he added three words that would resound through Marine Corps history: I WILL HOLD.

From the moment he first joined the Marine Reserves of the American Expeditionary Force in World War I, Clifton B. Cates was determined to make his mark as a leader. Little did he know what he would truly accomplish in his legendary career.

Not as well known as his contemporaries, such as Alvin C. York, his fame would not come from a single act of heroism but from his consistent and courageous demeanor throughout the war and beyond. In the bloody second half of 1918, with the 6th Marine Regiment, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Silver Star; he was recognized by the French government with the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre; and he earned the nickname "Lucky".

I Will Hold is the inspiring, brutally vivid, and incredible true life story of a Marine Corps legend whose grit and unstoppable spirit on the battlefield matched his personal drive and sage wisdom off of it.

©2016 James Carl Nelson (P)2016 Gildan Media LLC

average

a little jumpy and hard to follow with a tendency toward the over-dramatic, but entertaining.

I don’t get the bad reviews.

This is an excellent WW1 book. Reader does a fine job too. If you like Scarlett Fields and Over the Top you’ll enjoy this one too. Get it. There are lots of combat narratives and this book unintentionally is one of the better flowing accounts of the fighting around Belleau Wood. I thought it was an excellent story and fitting tribute to one of the great Marine Corp commandants ever.

Very well told story or an American in WWI

Most WWI stories I've come across are... well... either boring or really poorly put together. This one reads well. Like a mix of Band of Brothers and All Quiet on the Western Front. The narrator is perfect for the story, the story has a good pace as well as being informative and detailed, and the overall story kept me entertained and curious about what was coming next.

Great book about a life well lived.

This is a great book about the life of one of the Marine Corps' finest. I enjoyed every minute of the book; unless you're a snowflake, you will enjoy it too.

Incredible Generation

Excellent read, the story was amazing. General Cates is a inspiration to all generations, his tenacity, his leadership, his compassion for his Marines.