From One Hero to Another: Medal of Honor Recipient Supports Gift Project for America's Wounded Warriors

George E. Wahlen, Medal of Honor recipient, and subject of the recent book "The Quiet Hero" is spearheading a project to give a signed copy of his book to all 680 patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. The project not only seeks to raise the spirits of these wounded warriors, but it will also give individuals an opportunity to express their gratitude to the combat veterans of the War on Terror.

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) November 29, 2006 -- For many wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the upcoming holidays will be spent in a lonely hospital bed. Killing time is now one of their biggest obstacles, while they endure the often lengthy rehabilitation process. As a gift to these wounded warriors, Medal of Honor recipient and World War II hero George E. Wahlen hopes to enlist the support of Americans world-wide by sending a signed copy of his bestselling biography "The Quiet Hero" to each patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC).

The idea for the project emerged when Wahlen and author Gary W. Toyn recently paid a brief visit to WRAMC where they signed copies of the book for a handful of patients. The books were very well received, and additional books were requested. Seeing the opportunity to fill a need, Wahlen, Toyn and their publisher, American Legacy Media, now aim to send a signed book to all 680 patients of the medical center.

To reach this goal, Americans everywhere are being asked to contribute $12.50 (regularly $21.95) to send a book to a wounded warrior. Books can be ordered online at http://TheQuietHero.com, or by calling toll free 1-866-233-8165. Wahlen and Toyn will donate their royalties to the project. All proceeds will help defray shipping, printing and other related costs. The books will be shipped from Utah to Washington D.C. in time for delivery on Christmas Day.

Wahlen commented about the project "Many of these brave soldiers and Marines have lost an arm or leg. All we're doing is foregoing our royalties as a gesture of our appreciation for their service."

Wahlen's respect among today's combat-hardened veterans is easy to understand. Now 82-years-old, Wahlen was a Navy corpsman on Iwo Jima, the greatest battle of the modern era. He is the only Medal of Honor recipient to have served all four branches of the military, and to have served active duty during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Wahlen is credited for saving countless lives, often carrying men twice his size to safety. He was injured on three separate occasions but refused to leave the battlefield until an artillery shell almost severed his leg. President Harry Truman presented the medal to Wahlen in 1945. The official citation reads like a rejected John Wayne movie script too grand to be believed.

Since shaking hands with President Truman, Wahlen has spent a lifetime trying to forget about Iwo Jima. He told no one he possessed the nation's highest honor. Even his wife, Melba, didn't know he was a national war hero until years after they were married, only learning of it when she curiously opened an invitation for them to attend the inauguration of President Eisenhower. Wahlen recently agreed to divulge the details of his personal experience on Iwo Jima, and Toyn was asked to write this historic, untold story.

Background Information: "The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima," $21.95, American Legacy Media. By Gary W. Toyn, Foreword by Bob Dole, Introduction by Orrin Hatch. ISBN 0976-1547-14, An online media kit is available at TheQuietHero.com. Journalists: To arrange for an interview with Mr. Wahlen or the author, please contact Bill Wood, Senior Publicist, at (toll free) 866-233-8165 or via e-mail.

# # #