Guthrie County Iowa's Combat Veterans: Stories

"Soldiers of the Freedom Rock: Stories of Guthrie County Iowa's Combat Veterans" is a book that tells the historic tales of 26 veterans from rural, south central Iowa. The book, authored by Brick R. Imerman, a retired Navy F/A-18 Hornet squadron commander, was encouraged by local readers to write this book after penning a six-month veterans series, entitled "The Freedom Rock Series," which appeared in the local newspaper.

The battlefield dramas span from World War II through the most current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, including compelling stories in the air, on the ground, and at sea. Imerman's stories of local combat heroism were used as inspiration by nationally-renowned artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen for his artwork on the Guthrie County Freedom Rock Veterans' Memorial, which was painted in Guthrie Center, Iowa, during the summer of 2014.

"Soldiers of the Freedom Rock" intertwines the tales of combat heroism with the painting of the Freedom Rock to create a moving tribute, not only for the veterans described in the book, but for veterans and freedom lovers everywhere. The book is full color with over 100 historic photographs, documenting one small corner of the larger mosaic of combat heroism from our nation's military.

Included in the book are firsthand accounts from airmen in B-24 and B-17 bombers who braved the skies above Nazi-controlled Europe, some who gave their lives, and others who were shot down, but lived to tell about it. The book also features the story of a soldier who survived both his Sherman tank sinking off Omaha Beach on D-Day and blazing tank battles in the Ardennes, only to be killed mere weeks before war's end.

Additionally, the book includes a sailor's story of bravery firing from a tiny gun mount on the destroyer USS Hoel into the giant Japanese battleship Yamato before perishing beneath the waves at the historic Battle off Samar. The daring tale of a 15-year-old British girl who was nearly killed the first day Nazi bombers attacked London, who went on to serve her nation, ultimately becoming a U.S. citizen, is also featured.

"Soldiers of the Freedom Rock" has dozens of other riveting stories spanning through Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, including the stories of eight officers and 18 enlisted personnel - ranking from Private to Major General - from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force. This book has a story for every veteran, male or female.

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