WWII

February 21, 2024

February 21, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new battalion on Anzio

In the middle of February, the weather turned rainy, and the wind was sharp and ice-cold. Phil and the other men were a miserable bunch, and […]
February 20, 2024

February 20, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero arrives at his new unit on Anzio

Phil was one of 182 men (17 officers and 165 enlisted men, including men returning from the hospital) who received slips indicating they would be replacements […]
February 19, 2024

February 19, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Anzio

On February 19, 1944, Phil received his orders to report to the 30th Infantry Regiment on the Anzio Beachhead. Late that afternoon, he hopped aboard a truck […]
February 18, 2024

February 18, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero rides a master dressage stallion — Magellan

Phil returned the next day and began instruction with the master and one of his apprentices, Antonio, who was bilingual. “He wants you to mount one […]
February 17, 2024

February 17, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero meets a dressage master

After arriving on the docks at Naples, the ever-present Army 6×6 trucks were waiting to take Phil and the other second lieutenants to the Replacement Depot, […]
February 16, 2024

February 16, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero’s future units pinned down on Anzio

On February 16, 1944, the Germans had completely surrounded the Allies that were pinned down on the Anzio Beachhead — which the men quickly named ‘The […]
February 15, 2024

February 15, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero ships out to Naples

In Oran, Phil was among 200 infantry lieutenants who boarded the Highland Queen, a small British steamer bound for Naples, Italy. He was part of a […]
February 13, 2024

February 13, 1944 – A teenage WWII hero rides a train to the war

Orders were issued for 1,000 men, including Phil, to board narrow-gauge railroad cars for a three-day train ride across Morocco and Algeria to Oran, a major […]
July 16, 2022

Saturday Book Videos – Coauthor Mike Yorkey referees a “fight” between fans AND the book trailer

I love my coauthor, Mike Yorkey. We’ve collaborated on two books over the last two decades: God’s Design for the Highly Healthy Teen (2004) and At First […]
July 23, 2022

Saturday Book Report – Interview with Kristina Stanley, the CEO of “Fictionary” about “At First Light”

I was so honored to be interviewed by Kristina Stanley, the CEO of a wonderful writing software called Fictionary, about my WWII book, At First Light.
July 30, 2022

Saturday Book Report – If my WWII Book “At First Light” was a movie

If my WWII book, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse, was a movie, the […]
August 1, 2022

Monthly Family Update – August 2022

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: WWII book named a Military Writers Society of America Medal Winner A Nice Interview with Kristina Stanley, the […]
August 6, 2022

Saturday Book Report – CBS Photojournalist produces WWII book trailer

While Barb and I were in Baton Rouge in April for the World Premier of my new WWII book, At First Light: A True World War […]
August 13, 2022

Saturday Book Report – A Major Review in Army Magazine

I wanted to share some wonderful news with you! On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) pre-released a major review of […]