Never before in the history of the world had there been such cataclysmic destruction until World War II. The entire face of the earth changed, as millions died and entire cities were razed to rubble. World War II was the harbinger of the Holocaust and the herald of the Atomic Age. For Americans, it was a time of intense patriotism and sacrifice in the cause of freedom throughout the world. Follow an American infantryman as he goes to war in the European Theater of Operations. Walk with him among the treacherous hedgerows of Normandy and through the bitter cold of winter in Germany. See through his eyes the death, destruction, and depravation of a world gone mad. From the beaches of Normandy to the gates of Nazi Germany, read of heroic deeds and ultimate sacrifice. The vivid accounts of 1Lt. Richard Blackburn represent history in its purest forma firsthand story of how The Greatest Generation stepped up to save the world and the freedom we cherish as Americans. I was no hero, but I am honored to have served in the company of heroesthose who gave the ultimate sacrifice and rest forever under white crosses in the far away places they helped to liberate. Richard M. Blackburn (U.S. Army, Ret.)

Major Dick Winters of the 101st Airborne gained international acclaim when the tale of he and his men were depicted in the celebrated book and miniseries Band of Brothers. Hoisted as a modest hero who spurned adulation, Winters epitomized the notion of dignified leadership. His iconic World War II exploits have since been depicted in art and commemorated with monuments. Beneath this marble image of a reserved officer is the story of a common Pennsylvanian tested by the daily trials and tribulations of military duty. His wartime correspondence with pen pal and naval reservist, DeEtta Almon, paints an endearing portrait of life on both the home front and battlefront—capturing the humor, horror, and humility that defined a generation. Interwoven with previously unpublished diary entries, military reports, postwar reminiscences, private photos, personal artifacts, and rich historical context, Winters’s letters offer compelling insights on the individual costs and motivations of World War II service members. Winters’s heartfelt prose reveals his mindset of the moment. From stateside training to the hedgerows of Normandy, his correspondence immerses readers in the dramatic experiences of the 1940s. Via the lost art of letter writing, the immediacy and honesty of Winters’s observations takes us beyond the traditional accounts of the fabled 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment’s Easy Company. This engaging narrative offers a unique blend of personal wit, leadership ethics, and broader observations of a world at war. Hang Tough is a deeply intimate, timely reflection on a rising officer and the philosophies that molded him into a hero among heroes. Hang Tough “will help people better understand the man I knew and respected so much. Folks should know what we all went through during the war.” —Bradford Freeman, Foreword

Never before in the history of the world had there been such cataclysmic destruction until World War II. The entire face of the earth changed, as millions died and entire cities were razed to rubble. World War II was the harbinger of the Holocaust and the herald of the Atomic Age. For Americans, it was a time of intense patriotism and sacrifice in the cause of freedom throughout the world. Follow an American infantryman as he goes to war in the European Theater of Operations. Walk with him among the treacherous hedgerows of Normandy and through the bitter cold of winter in Germany. See through his eyes the death, destruction, and depravation of a world gone mad. From the beaches of Normandy to the gates of Nazi Germany, read of heroic deeds and ultimate sacrifice. The vivid accounts of 1Lt. Richard Blackburn represent history in its purest form a firsthand story of how "The Greatest Generation" stepped up to save the world and the freedom we cherish as Americans. "I was no hero, but I am honored to have served in the company of heroes those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and rest forever under white crosses in the far away places they helped to liberate." Richard M. Blackburn (U.S. Army, Ret.)

Discusses the Allied invasion of Normandy, with extensive details about the planning stage, called Operation Overlord, as well as the fighting on Utah and Omaha Beaches.