Richard Bixby

What the Hell, We Won the War Anyway, Didn't We?: a Forty-two Month Autobiography Richard Bixby

When the Japanese brought the Unites States into World War II by bombing Pearl Harbor while their ambassador was pretending to be negotiating in Washington the reaction spread across the country like the aftermath of an atomic blast. Among those who were inspired to enlist in their country's defense was a big band piano player. It would be hard to conceive of a more drastic change than the conversion of that loose living civilian into a United States Marine but the DIs managed it. Instead of the combat duty he expected his superiors apparently found him more useful as a musical specialist. This book takes him through service at Parris Island, Camp Pendleton and Pearl Harbor. Some of his experiences and the associates he describes will bring you chuckles. They will also bring you an awareness that the Marine uniform you see has a human being inside it.