Helmet for My Pillow

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Helmet for My Pillow is the personal narrative written by World War II United States Marine Corps veteran, author and military historian Robert Leckie. First published in 1957, the story begins with Leckie enlisting in the United States Marines shortly after the 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor. In 2007, it was announced that Helmet for my Pillow would be the basis of the new HBO mini-series The Pacific.^[1][2]

Contents 1 Story 2 About the Author 3 Notes 4 References

[edit] Story

Beginning with boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina, the story follows Leckie through basic training and then to New River, North Carolina where he is briefly stationed.

Leckie is assigned to the 1st Marine Division and is deployed to northern Australia, eventually landing on the islands of the South Pacific and the shores of Japan. "Helmet for My Pillow" is the personal story of a Marine fighting for survival with the Japanese at the Battle of Guadalcanal, the first major battle between US Marines and Japanese Soldiers.

[edit] About the Author

Date of Birth 18 December 1920, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Date of Death 24 December 2001

Leckie began his professional writing career at age 16 as a sportswriter in Hackensack, New Jersey. Helmet for My Pillow, first published in 1957, was his first book. He then went on to write over 40 books.^[3]

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Abbruzzese, Kelsey (February 9, 2007). Miniseries 'The Pacific War' to feature alum war hero. The Bowdoin Orient. Retrieved on 2007-12-21.

• Martindale, Stone (July 26, 2007). 'Band of Brothers' producers cast 'The Pacific' series on HBO. Monsters & Critics. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.

• Leckie, Robert. Interview with Brian Lamb. Booknotes: 'The Last Battle of World War II' by Robert Leckie. C-SPAN. September 3, 1995. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.

• Leckie, Robert — Books and Biography. All Media Guide LLC. Retrieved on 2007-12-22.