RADM Bruce McCandless, USN (Ret) was a career U.S. Navy officer and Medal of Honor recipient. Commissioned in 1932, he served aboard two cruisers and destroyers before assignment to USS San Francisco in 1939. He later commanded USS Gregory. He retired in 1952 and is buried at the Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.Bruce McCandless III graduated from the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to earn an M.A. from Reading University in England and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He is the author of the memoir Wonders All Around and—with space journalist Emily Carney—Star Bound: A Beginner’s Guide to the American Space Program, From Goddard’s Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything in Between.

“Iron and Fire is simply majestic, an outstanding testament to patriotism, service, the horrors of war, and, above all, the bonds and unconditional love of family…McCandless and his engaging action story will inspire YAs interested in the military.” — Booklist, starred review"Iron and Fire provides a compelling first-hand chronicle of Medal of Honor recipient Bruce McCandless's harrowing World War II experiences. It provides unique insights into McCandless's exemplary character and conduct, and deepens our understanding of the U.S. Navy's war in the Pacific."  — Edward G. Lengel, Ph.D., author of Make a Hero: The Audie Murphy Story“Iron and Fire provides a rare and candid perspective from Bruce McCandless, whose manuscript has been diligently brought to life by his grandson. From Pearl Harbor to the end of the war, the McCandless story combines wit and humor with a deep understanding of the war’s significance and his role in it, creating a moving reflection of the war in the Pacific.” — Kali Martin Schick, Senior Historian at The National Medal of Honor Museum“Vivid and concisely written, McCandless’s near-photographic memory paints for us an unstinting portrait of sailors and ships in combat. His wry voice likewise reveals an individual of profound wit, humility, and humanity. Highly recommended.” — Jon Parshall, author of 1942: Crux of War“Bruce McCandless III offers a gripping account of life in the World War II United States navy as told through the eyes of his grandfather, Captain Bruce McCandless. This book allows readers to appreciate and feel the critical roles that destroyers, moved here rightfully to the forefront of the action, played in naval battles across the Pacific.”— Andrew Lannen, Associate Professor and Chair of History, Stephen F. Austin State University"Rear Admiral Bruce McCandless’s memoir of military service during World II is an extraordinary contribution to the literary corpus of the Greatest Generation. From the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Okinawa, McCandless fought in major conflicts during World War II with remarkable valor, and was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Silver Cross, and the Purple Heart. Packed with vivid narrative detail and incisive analysis, Iron and Fire is a gripping and deeply moving first-hand account of a watershed period in American history."— Janet M. Davis, Professor of American Studies and History at the University of Texas at Austin, and author of The Gospel of Kindness

RADM Bruce McCandless, USN (Ret) was a career U.S. Navy officer and Medal of Honor recipient. Commissioned in 1932, he served aboard two cruisers and destroyers before assignment to USS San Francisco in 1939. He later commanded USS Gregory. He retired in 1952 and is buried at the Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.Bruce McCandless III graduated from the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to earn an M.A. from Reading University in England and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He is the author of the memoir Wonders All Around and—with space journalist Emily Carney—Star Bound: A Beginner’s Guide to the American Space Program, From Goddard’s Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything in Between.

“Iron and Fire is simply majestic, an outstanding testament to patriotism, service, the horrors of war, and, above all, the bonds and unconditional love of family…McCandless and his engaging action story will inspire YAs interested in the military.” — Booklist, starred review"Iron and Fire provides a compelling first-hand chronicle of Medal of Honor recipient Bruce McCandless's harrowing World War II experiences. It provides unique insights into McCandless's exemplary character and conduct, and deepens our understanding of the U.S. Navy's war in the Pacific."  — Edward G. Lengel, Ph.D., author of Make a Hero: The Audie Murphy Story“Iron and Fire provides a rare and candid perspective from Bruce McCandless, whose manuscript has been diligently brought to life by his grandson. From Pearl Harbor to the end of the war, the McCandless story combines wit and humor with a deep understanding of the war’s significance and his role in it, creating a moving reflection of the war in the Pacific.” — Kali Martin Schick, Senior Historian at The National Medal of Honor Museum“Vivid and concisely written, McCandless’s near-photographic memory paints for us an unstinting portrait of sailors and ships in combat. His wry voice likewise reveals an individual of profound wit, humility, and humanity. Highly recommended.” — Jon Parshall, author of 1942: Crux of War“Bruce McCandless III offers a gripping account of life in the World War II United States navy as told through the eyes of his grandfather, Captain Bruce McCandless. This book allows readers to appreciate and feel the critical roles that destroyers, moved here rightfully to the forefront of the action, played in naval battles across the Pacific.”— Andrew Lannen, Associate Professor and Chair of History, Stephen F. Austin State University"Rear Admiral Bruce McCandless’s memoir of military service during World II is an extraordinary contribution to the literary corpus of the Greatest Generation. From the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Okinawa, McCandless fought in major conflicts during World War II with remarkable valor, and was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Silver Cross, and the Purple Heart. Packed with vivid narrative detail and incisive analysis, Iron and Fire is a gripping and deeply moving first-hand account of a watershed period in American history."— Janet M. Davis, Professor of American Studies and History at the University of Texas at Austin, and author of The Gospel of Kindness

RADM Bruce McCandless, USN (Ret) was a career U.S. Navy officer and Medal of Honor recipient. Commissioned in 1932, he served aboard two cruisers and destroyers before assignment to USS San Francisco in 1939. He later commanded USS Gregory. He retired in 1952 and is buried at the Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.Bruce McCandless III graduated from the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin. He went on to earn an M.A. from Reading University in England and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He is the author of the memoir Wonders All Around and—with space journalist Emily Carney—Star Bound: A Beginner’s Guide to the American Space Program, From Goddard’s Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything in Between.

“Iron and Fire is simply majestic, an outstanding testament to patriotism, service, the horrors of war, and, above all, the bonds and unconditional love of family…McCandless and his engaging action story will inspire YAs interested in the military.” — Booklist, starred review"Iron and Fire provides a compelling first-hand chronicle of Medal of Honor recipient Bruce McCandless's harrowing World War II experiences. It provides unique insights into McCandless's exemplary character and conduct, and deepens our understanding of the U.S. Navy's war in the Pacific."  — Edward G. Lengel, Ph.D., author of Make a Hero: The Audie Murphy Story“Iron and Fire provides a rare and candid perspective from Bruce McCandless, whose manuscript has been diligently brought to life by his grandson. From Pearl Harbor to the end of the war, the McCandless story combines wit and humor with a deep understanding of the war’s significance and his role in it, creating a moving reflection of the war in the Pacific.” — Kali Martin Schick, Senior Historian at The National Medal of Honor Museum“Vivid and concisely written, McCandless’s near-photographic memory paints for us an unstinting portrait of sailors and ships in combat. His wry voice likewise reveals an individual of profound wit, humility, and humanity. Highly recommended.” — Jon Parshall, author of 1942: Crux of War“Bruce McCandless III offers a gripping account of life in the World War II United States navy as told through the eyes of his grandfather, Captain Bruce McCandless. This book allows readers to appreciate and feel the critical roles that destroyers, moved here rightfully to the forefront of the action, played in naval battles across the Pacific.”— Andrew Lannen, Associate Professor and Chair of History, Stephen F. Austin State University"Rear Admiral Bruce McCandless’s memoir of military service during World II is an extraordinary contribution to the literary corpus of the Greatest Generation. From the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor to the Battle of Okinawa, McCandless fought in major conflicts during World War II with remarkable valor, and was awarded the Medal of Honor, the Silver Cross, and the Purple Heart. Packed with vivid narrative detail and incisive analysis, Iron and Fire is a gripping and deeply moving first-hand account of a watershed period in American history."— Janet M. Davis, Professor of American Studies and History at the University of Texas at Austin, and author of The Gospel of Kindness