An American Hero: Eugene Trowbridge Paperback – August 23, 2017

I bought this for my husband Bruce McFadzean. The review is from him! From 1960-1963 Gene Trowbridge was my junior high school band teacher/director. During those years, I set my sights on attending the USAF Academy and planned to become an Air Force pilot. Never, during that time, nor since (until I read this book) did I learn anything about Mr Trowbridge's military service nor his outstanding performance as a Marine fighter pilot. His service, valor, and amazing accomplishments came as a complete surprise to me, and I wish I had been able to visit with him, for having played the trumpet for most of my life, and having flown 154 combat missions in Vietnam, we had more in common than I could ever have imagined!This book is an exceptionally well written and researched and truly remarkable insight into the courage and accomplishments of a musician and school teacher who contributed greatly to America's success in defeating it's enemies in World War IIEveryone should read this book!

After interviewing veterans, studying and researching Pacific Air War history for more than 35 years, this is the best account of the early days on Guadalcanal I've read. Nelson takes you back and you can't help feel the dread and fear during the constant sniper attacks and bombings... let alone the desperate air battles fought during the day. I've read many accounts of this period before, none were as Vivid... made me shudder. Plus there were several things in the book that I hadn't known before. Every serious student of the war in the Pacific should know who Gene Trowbridge is. This book is a Must read.

Victor worked extensively to turn some material I had on my Dad into this very interesting, easy to read story of important period of my Dad's life. Supplemented with maps and pictures, the story told is of a real hero! To think that Victor was a student of my Dad, in 9th grade band, and after all these years he put in at least two years in writing this book! Thanks, Victor!

This is an interesting story of an unassuming hero from WW2. It took author Victor Nelson to bring the story to fruition. Well worth the read.

Gritty tales from times that must be remembered!

When this book came out I immediately bought a copy. 'Gene", as he preferred to be called by friends, was one of the few Marine Corps pilots who helped turn the tide in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Based primarily on then First Lieutenant Trowbridge's war diary and other primary sources, Dr Nelson brings to life the story of a young Marine Corps F4F Wildcat ace with VMF-223 who battled Japanese "Zero" fighters and "Betty" bombers over the skies of Guadalcanal and who was awarded The Navy Cross for his tireless gallantry during the crucial first year of the US involvement in WWII. Gene knew me from 1969 as a student musician and later as an active duty Marine Corps officer until his death in 1994. He was rather a gentle soul who possessed a keen sense of humor, a love of flying and a love of music as a school band instructor and conductor. He rarely spoke about his experiences during the war. So, Dr Nelson's book helps fill in the gaps and much more by telling the gripping story of Major Trowbridge's exploits in helping US air, ground and naval forces defeat the Japanese in The Solomons. Students of WW II Marine Corps aviation history will not be disappointed in reading not only about Major Trowbridge but also about his accounts of fellow VMF-223 pilots such as legendary squadron commander, John Lucian Smith; future Marine Corps general, Marion Carl, and; close friend, Orvin Ramlo, who survived fighting in both the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal; all three of these fellow Marine Corps pilots were aces as well. Before his deployment to China as a squadron commander after the end of WWII Dr Nelson also recalls how Major Trowbridge befriended the legendary Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. In short, this superb book is chock-a-blocked with priceless historical information written in a professional, personal and accessible manner. I highly recommend Dr Nelson's biography of a unassuming US Marine Corps "Flying Leatherneck" whose life truly mattered in shaping the outcome of the Battle of Guadalcanal during the desperate early days of America's fighting in WW II and in shaping the lives of countless young aspiring student musicians in a positive manner during his post-war career as a much-loved and much-respected band instructor and conductor.

It's a very interesting book, that put a person directly in the hart of one of the big battles in the Pacific during WW2. Interesting and well written story.