Military Review English Edition July-August 2016 | Page 149

BOOK REVIEWS

This book is not just relevant to the historical community, but also to the security and logistical professions. Weintraub effectively depicts a mass offensive and
withdrawal that all field grade officers should study, a
mass withdrawal that did not result in a Dunkirk-style
catastrophe. While this story needed more maps to depict the movement of individual units, his use of sophisticated diction mapped out the scene in the readers mind.
Company grade officers should also take note of this book
as the author carefully balances the stories of battalions
and regiments with platoons and companies, highlighting
the heroes at the lowest level. Weintraub’s most important lesson is to never forget, regardless of rank, how to
be a soldier including the basic skills of how to fire a rifle,
communicate, and move tactically.
As our nation’s forgotten war, Weintraub reminds us
of the sacrifices made over sixty years ago. The failed UN
offensive should not be something we as combat leaders
forget, but rather something we learn from. The strategic
evacuation from Hungnam harbor is something that is logistically and tactically remarkable. Overall, Weintraub’s
book reminds soldiers their actions have a direct impact
on geopolitics and that they have a responsibility to make
well thought-out decisions.

Cadet Casey McNicholas, U.S. Army Cadet
Command, Washington State University,
Pullman, Washington

CHOOSING COURAGE

Inspiring Stories of What it
Means to be a Hero

Peter Collier, Artisan, New York, 2015, 240 pages

I

n Choosing Courage, Peter Collier takes the reader on an educational and emotional journey by
highlighting soldiers who received the highest
military award (the Medal of Honor) and civilians
who received the highest equivalent civilian award (the
Citizen Honors Award). For the inspirational stories of
the Medal of Honor recipients, he offers historical context from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan,
and Iraq. He tells the stories of civilian Citizen Honors
awardees who distinguished themselves during the
9/11 attacks and the Sparks Middle School shooting

MILITARY REVIEW  July-August 2016

in Sparks, Nevada, and others who worked with the
Doctors Without Borders relief organization.
In each illustrated account of courage, there are
graphic, inspirational, horrific, and emotional revelations that will keep the reader engaged to the end. In
addition, interviews with parents, spouses, children,
and friends provide insight into the character of each
hero. The stories present accounts of the background
and upbringing of these amazing people. They include first- and second-hand accounts of their bravery under the most dangerous and trying conditions.
Most revealing, each account provides the reflections
of the awardee, which will humble readers and instill
in them a renewed appreciation of life and the people
around them. These reflections exemplify the human
dimension of leadership and the inherent motivation
to survive. A statement by a former Vietnam prisoner
of war illustrates the power of these stories to inspire:
“You survive hard times by using your mind and your
imagination and by thinking about the good things
you’ve done. You survive and succeed by focusing your
mind on your life goals and never giving up.”
In another example, U.S. Army Lt. Vernon Baker,
one of seven African-Americans retroactively awarded
the Medal of Honor for their actions in World War II,
was asked what he learned during his military service. He said, “Give respect before you expect it. Treat
people the way they want to be treated. Remember the
mission. Set the example. Keep going.”
Finally, the author describes Dr. Jordy Cox, who
traveled all over the world to treat patients in developing countries during times of war and natural disasters.
When awarded the Citizen Honors Award, he stated,
“You do what your heart tells you. That’s what you are
supposed to do.”
The book is well written, well organized, and interesting. It provides studies in leadership, motivation, and
character building that are appropriate for any educational setting from middle school to university level. It
is not exclusively for military readers; there is a civilian
context for every account in the book. I recommend
Choosing Courage for anyone seeking inspiration in the
selfless actions of others thrust into situations where
life or death is a consequence of doing the right thing.

Col. Michael R. Martinez, U.S. Army, Retired,
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

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