The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-day Sacrifice 1st Da Capo Press Ed Edition, Kindle Edition

Not only have I read this book twice, but I have purchased extra copies and mailed them to friends. The story of the Bedford Boys needs to be told. Not enough people know about them. I have read many books on the topic of WW2. However, this is the best one at linking the events, the soldiers and their families together. You really get a feel for what everyone involved went through. In June, I am going to Normandy for the 74th anniversary of D-Day. I rented a house in the little town of Vierville mur sur, which is the town the Bedford Boys were tasked with capturing. I have also been to Bedford Virginia where the Bedford Boys grew up together. If you ever pass through Virginia, stop and visit the National D-Day memorial in Bedford. It was built there in part to honor of the Bedford Boys and their families. You wont regret the visit. Also, it is a beautiful little town, and the people are very gracious to the many visitors they get.

I purchased this book when it was first published. I am native of Bedford, Virginia. I am part of the infamous "Mud Alley Gang", the neighborhood where many of those "Bedford Boys" written about were raised and some families still live there. We have an annual dinner for members of the old neighborhood. It is held the Friday before Thanksgiving each year, and last year we had a discussion about those old days and Alex Kershaw's book. I think it is the most definitive story of our situation. It rates an excellent 5 stars for those of us who lived this story. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kershaw last year when he was the Speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the National D- Day Memorial there in Bedford. I had Mr. Kershaw to autograph my copy and I hope to have it signed by all who attend our dinner this year. I have purchased several others over the years to give to my children and grandchildren, as this story should never be forgotten. ... I will again in a couple weeks urge others who have not yet read the book to please do so. It is indeed "our story" too. .Respectfully SubmittedDale Wilson, Sr.

As a fan of Alex Kershaw, I knew his books were poignant & well-written, but I was a bit hesitant before I bought this one because I've read many books on D-Day/WW II. However, I'm very glad I bought this one because reading 'The Bedford Boys' is so visceral, emotional and compelling that I finished it in one sitting. The author's extensive research and interviews with their contemporaries in Bedford, along with his admiration and compassion for these men, their famiilies & friends, makes their individual lives, personalities and tremendous sacrifices come palpably alive. In my opinion, this book is on par with other WWII (and other war) classics like 'Band of Brothers', 'The Good War', etc.

This is a great story of a group of men from Bedford, Virginia that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The men from Bedford, Virginia joined the local national guard with no intention of going to Europe or anywhere else to fight a war. They only joined to earn a little extra money during the depression era. They eventually became hero's as they were part of the first wave to hit the Normandy beaches on June 6,1944. This book follows them from the time they joined the service, when they were crossed over into the army,trained to go to Europe,then all of the training and waiting for D-day in Europe. Then that lead to D-Day and what happened to them all that day. Nineteen from Bedford were killed that day. Three more died in the ensuing days. That was by far the most loss per capita of any town in America. The aftermath and how the families of these men dealt with this loss is also told in a very sympathetic way. This is just a very well told story that will keep you interested and engaged all the way through the book.

Fortunately, Mr Kershaw undertook to write this book while there were still many primary sources alive to interview. There are many books that detail the horrors of war in general and D-Day in particular. This book does that as well, but it is a rarity in that it is a non-fiction that also recounts the drama that unfolded at home in such a way that you feel it. Be warned, it will break your heart.

Riveting account of the young men from one small town in Virginia who gave the ultimate sacrifice in WWII. It was amazing to learn the back story not only of the young men, but also the women who loved them and watched them go off to war. I am familiar with this group as I live in Virginia but have yet to see the Memorial in Bedford. Like so many who fought in WWII, these were normal young men, trying to make a living in the newly post Depression Era. What they endured is amazing and to have lost so many of them in one battle adds a depth that many communities will never know. If you enjoyed Saving Private Ryan, then this is a book you will definitely not want to miss.

Interesting read on how the young men of a small community entered World War II. It heralded their sacrifices, It chronicled personal stories of the those young men of this county. All across the United States the military age men of this country answered the call. {Many women also}. This is not to say that all went willingly or accepted the military stance of the US at this time. I think it is important for individuals to read many type of historical history and learn about how this country has defended itself for centuries.

I am Virginia resident...several years ago I visited the magnificent memorial in Bedford. This book is not only a history lesson but also a poignant true story of those brave young Bedford boys, their families and friends. The author's ability to bring all of his research and interviews together is truly amazing. I highly recommend this to one and all.

‘The Bedford Boys’ tells the true story of a group of 30 young men from Bedford Virginia, a town of 3,200. All of whom had joined the National Guard before the outbreak of WW2 and had then been incorporated into Company A, 116th Infantry, 29th Division. Prior to D-Day, they were chosen to be the first wave to land on Omaha Beach, which was the best defended and toughest of the five invasion points on that historic day. Of the 30 young men who had grown up and trained together, 22 were killed in the Normandy campaign, most of whom were machine gunned down on Omaha beach. The book does not ignore the sacrifice of the rest of the 116th Infantry, whose casualties included 375 killed or missing in action. In fact the Regiment received a Distinguished Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance. However, by focusing on the lives and families of this group of young men, Kershaw has managed to write a moving account of how war has a lasting impact on families and whole communities. We get to know the young men through their experiences in the National Guard and their time in England. We also get to know their families, wives and girlfriend. The historical facts in the book regarding D-Day are arcuate, although the main voices telling the story of the landing on Omaha and the whole Normandy Campaign are the survivors themselves. We then hear further accounts from those who made it home, and the emotional impact of war upon their lives. We also hear of the impact this episode placed on the partners and families of the fallen.For those who have read a variety of books on the European Campaign in WW2, this is still worth reading, as it is probably the most personalized & moving that I have read on this subject by the ordinary or should I saw extraordinary soldier.

If you have ever seen Saving Private Ryan-this is one book im sure said film is based on

Bought for my husband at a used cost of 19 pence plus postage. It is the best value I have had for a long time. He couldn't put the book down until he had finished reading it. We also have local knowledge of the area the book is written about, and are old enough to remember the time of "The Bedford Boys"

I could not help but be moved by the story of these band of soldiers from Bedford, who fought & gave their lives in Normandy. We should all remember the sacrifice that these men (and thousands like them) made.

Excellent read. Like other true stories of this kind it's very sad to read of a close community ripped apart by war. Reminiscent of WW1 when every town and village lost a lot of the men folk.