ONCE A LEGEND:
"RED" MIKE EDSON OF THE MARINE RAIDERS.
Jon T. Hoffman
Novato, California: Presidio Press, 1994. Fine/Fine. An as-new copy, with
jacket in mylar protector. Photographs, Essay on Sources, Index, 434 pages.
INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR TO CHARLTON HESTON: "To Charlton Heston, With appreciation
for all the great things you've done for this country. I hope you enjoy this
story of another outstanding leader of the NRA. Semper Fi, Jon T. Hoffman"
"World War II combat correspondent Richard Tregaskis, author of Guadalcanal
Diary, called MajGen Merritt 'Red Mike' Edson 'the best soldier I ever knew.'
Fitting praise for a hard-nosed general who earned an unmatched reputation for
fearlessness in a Marine Corps career that spanned thirty years. Edson earned
the Medal of Honor and lasting fame during a desperate, two-day defense of
Guadalcanal's vital airfield. The battle immediately became known as one of the
epic struggles in Marine Corps history, the Battle of Edson's Ridge. Edson
first gained renown in the Marine Corps for his exploits during the 'Banana
Wars' in Central America during the 1920s. He became an authority on guerrilla
warfare and went on to create and command the 1st Marine Raider Battalion.
After World War II, Edson demonstrated moral courage that matched his
fearlessness under fire as he fought to preserve the Corps's identity during
the service unification debates. In the political 'jungles' of Washington,
D.C., he used his unorthodox tactics to combat Army encroachment on Marine
Corps turf, and even took on President Truman, who was intent on disbanding the
Corps. ... Based on the general's recently unsealed personal papers, and
interviews with family, friends, and fellow Marines, this is the first
biography of the man described by former commandant Gen. Wallace Green as 'the
personification of the great fighting tradition of our Corps.' "
$150.00
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