Military Writers Society of America

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Pacific Express: The Critical Role of Military Logistics in World War II by William L. McGee

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Author's Synopsis

PACIFIC EXPRESS is on the Marine Corps Commandant's Professional Annual Reading List for Logistics.
 
Under one cover, an edited collection of the best works by military historians on the importance of military logistics in WW II. 
 
Consider this: In World War II, 16.1 million men and women served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For every individual who served in combat, there were ten supportive personnel, both overseas and on the home front. Victory may be won or lost in battle, but all military history shows that adequate logistics support is essential to the winning of the battles. 


The editors profile the major components that made up the "Pacific express" in WWII including:

U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S.Marine Corps Engineers who built the Advance Bases.

U.S. Navy crews who manned the amphibious force and Fleet s floating mobile Service Squadrons throughout the vast reaches of the Pacific.

U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S.Naval Armed Guard who manned and defended the thousands of WSA cargo ships,transports, and tankers to "deliver the goods."

U.S. Coast Guardsmen who manned hundreds of U.S. Army and Navy long-haul vessels and thousands of battle-loaded amphibious landing ships and craft.

111 b&w photos, 7 maps, 21 figures, tables & charts, plus appendix, notes, bibliography, and index.

FROM THE FOREWORD:
"As the grandson of three World War II veterans, read this book and you will understand what it took to win this war and why the men and women who made it happen are called the Greatest Generation."
- Dennis R. Blocker II, Pacific War Historian, USS LCI (Landing Craft, Infantry) National Association

OTHER TITLES IN THE 3-VOLUME SERIES:
Vol. I, THE AMPHIBIANS ARE COMING! Emergence of the 'Gator Navy and its Revolutionary Landing Craft

Vol. II, THE SOLOMONS CAMPAIGNS, 1942-1943: From Guadalcanal to Bougainville, Pacific War Turning Point. Winner of the 2018 Military Writers Society of America Silver Medal Award for History