“Indiana Jones” of Palatine, Illinois Publishes Riveting War Memoir
Palatine, Ill. (PRWEB) July 31, 2013 -- From the “Indiana Jones” of Palatine, Ill., Burton L. Showers’ “BURT, General MacArthur, and GHQ” is a compelling real life adventure that takes readers along the ups and downs, the serious and the hilarious moments of military life. Showers’ newly published autobiography is really about a teenager, graduating from High School in Waterloo, Iowa in 1943, and knowing that most likely he will soon be drafted into military service. It is a war memoir with lots of humor and countless personal experiences.
The book is the story of this kid’s “war time” life in the Army starting out in the Combat Engineers, at Camp Abbot, Oregon going through basic training in this branch and then going overseas to the replacement camp at Oro Bay in New Guinea and waiting assignment into combat. Being in the “combat engineers” is pretty serious stuff and the chances for survival are very slim.
It takes readers through more training and preparation for combat. The Buna campaign in New Guinea, and Guadalcanal in the Solomons, were either finished or winding down, and not a pretty picture for any future combat engineer. There were constant battles and campaigns along the northern coast of New Guinea—until the Japanese were totally defeated.
On his 19th birthday, he got his orders to fly to Brisbane, Australia to join General MacArthur’s Headquarters (GHQ). With so many courses in drafting in high school, and working in a defense plant as a draftsman after school each day during his senior year, he was prepared to be a draftsman (map-maker) and was assigned to G-3 Plans and Operations as a map-maker. He was in this (G-3) from Brisbane to Tokyo (the entire war).
BURT, General MacArthur, and GHQ shares many of the hundreds of happenings Showers experienced with many GI’s, and officers ranging to the five-star Commanding General. It was a job of ultra top secrecy, and great responsibilities—and, very fascinating. Even though there were tremendous demands, these soldiers also had many moments of fun and hilarity with their fellow GI’s, constantly living by the slogan of “Top Secret”.
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About the Author
Burton L. Showers went to college at Iowa State Teachers’ College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, after returning home after World War II. He became a very successful high school history teacher in Palatine, Ill. After “Sputnik,” he taught the first course in Russian history in the suburbs. He created a high school activities program which became the model for schools in Illinois. His specialty, the Student Council, provided excellent training for student leadership. He became recognized as “Mr. Student Council” in Illinois and throughout the country. With his background in history, he became a World Traveler to exotic places. Thus, he was called the “Indiana Jones” of Palatine. After retiring from teaching in 1983, Showers got very involved in genealogical/patriotic societies such as Sons of the American Revolution, Order of the Magna Charta, Crown of Charlemagne, and many others, becoming a national officer in most of them. After 35 years of being active in all of these, he has now chosen to be less involved and is resting on his laurels, but, is still involved with Veterans groups in the U.S.
BURT, General MacArthur, and GHQ * by Burton L. Showers
Publication Date: May 20, 2013
Trade Paperback; $19.99; 319 pages; 978-1-4797-7687-0
Trade Hardback; $29.99; 319 pages; 978-1-4797-7688-7
eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4797-7689-4
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