Journey to War
The Thomas Stewart Story
by
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I was leaving the bank with a sack of cash to be used in the cash register of my store. As I was climbing into the driver's seat of my green and white Chevrolet pickup, a man suddenly appeared from behind and stuck a .38 revolver into my left side. He pointed at the cash bag, and said, "I'll take that." Like any thinking person, I handed the money over in hopes that he would lower his gun, take the money and just go away. Instead, he shot a single round through both my legs as I sat in the driver's seat of the truck. The large femoral artery pooled blood between my legs, into the floorboard of the truck, and out into the street. The robber jumped into an awaiting car and sped away. I reached for my own revolver tucked under the seat, held it over the cab and fired four rounds at the car. I had trained for two years during World War II and had fired many shots, but never in combat. Now the combat was on the streets of Memphis. I had trained to defend the freedom of a thug who shot me. After spending a few days in the hospital, I recovered, but my legs would always be weaker. All of that is a memory now, but I have many more that linger more strongly in my heart, soul, and mind. This is my account of those memories during World War II.
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About the Book
World War II has left an indelible mark on the fabric of human history. The exploits of men like Hitler and Mussolini, Roosevelt and Churchill are chronicled in countless books and movies. Their names and their actions will never be forgotten—and for good reason. To gain a deeper understanding of the war’s impact, however, we must look beyond the names that grace the pages of textbooks and recognize the sacrifices of the anonymous soldiers who risked life and limb to serve the country they loved.
With each passing year, their stories—which persist only through the oral history passed from generation to generation—fade into the ether of time. As a boy, author William S. Murray listened to his grandfather’s stories about training as a pilot during World War II with rapt attention. In an effort to preserve these memories, Murray sat down with his grandfather, Thomas Stewart, to record these stories for posterity. Stewart shares memories both happy and bittersweet, from his beginnings in Byhalia, Mississippi, through his experiences as a pilot during the war years.
Journey to War is not the story of familiar heroes like Eisenhower, Patton, and MacArthur. This is the story of one ordinary man doing his part to serve his country during extraordinary times. This is the story of Second Lieutenant Thomas Stewart and the men with whom he served.
About the Author
William S. Murray wants to encourage others to document the experiences of their senior relatives. This is his account of his grandfather's experience during World War II. You may have a piece of history right in your own family, but never knew it. Sit down with your loved-one and a video camera and capture a family treasure!