Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

Iron and Fire

The Pacific War Story of Destroyer Captain Bruce McCandless

Av Bruce McCandless, Bruce McCandless III

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Iron and Fire is a newly recovered firsthand account of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific war, told by a Medal of Honor–winning officer who fought from Pearl Harbor through Okinawa. Offering an unfiltered view of combat at sea—its decisions, costs, and consequences—the memoir preserves the lived experience of naval warfare through one of the most punishing operational tempos in American history. In 1941, the fire of war met the iron of duty, and a generation of heroes was born. Iron and Fire is the newly discovered World War II memoir of Bruce McCandless—a Medal of Honor recipient, career naval officer, and firsthand witness to the U.S. Navy’s most punishing campaigns in the Pacific. Written by an officer who fought from the opening moments of the war through its final battles, this recently recovered account offers an unfiltered view of the naval war in the Pacific.McCandless was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when the fleet burned and the United States was thrust into global war. From that day forward, he served aboard the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA 38), which became one of the most decorated ships of the war, and later commanded the destroyer, USS Gregory (DD 802). The memoir follows a relentless operational tempo—from the uncertain weeks after Pearl Harbor through the grinding campaigns that carried American forces across the Pacific.McCandless captures both the strategic scope and human cost of the war at sea. The narrative traces his path from a childhood shaped by naval service, through the U.S. Naval Academy, and into sustained combat. He fought in convoy operations, night surface engagements, and survived the violence of Cape Esperance and Guadalcanal. As the war progressed, he went on to help force Japanese withdrawals from Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians and faced kamikaze attacks during the bloody invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following the war, McCandless continued his naval career until he retired in 1952 at the rank of Rear Admiral.Dictated later in life to his daughter as wartime injuries took their toll and set aside for many years, this remarkable firsthand account offers a unique and authentic voice that, like those of E.B. Sledge or William Leckie, echoes across time.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum: 2026-11-26
Mått: 152 x 228 x 25 mm
Vikt: 521 g
Format: Inbunden
Språk: Engelska
Antal sidor: 288
Förlag: Naval Institute Press
ISBN: 9798892410458

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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.

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“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“This memoir was a pleasure to read, and once I opened the cover, I couldn’t put it down. For anyone interested in naval history, World War II, military history, or just history in general, this is definitely one you’ll want to add to your library. . . .The book completely fits into the story of World War II for American sailors, showing the hardships, the horror, the successful changes, and ultimately the victory. . . . If you’re a military history buff, or even just looking to read a wonderful human story, I couldn’t recommend Iron and Fire enough.” — History on a Whim: Military History of the Modern Era"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

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