God Isn't Here: A Young American's Entry into World War II and His Participation in the Battle for Iwo Jima

A stunning book about surviving the battle for Iwo Jima, from the perspective of a Navy Corpsman. When Richard Overton returned from Iwo Jima in March of 1945, he thoughtfully noted his day-by-day experiences. These detailed notes were used to compile the most gripping personal account yet of a combatant on Iwo Jima. As part of the 2nd Battalion, 26th Regiment, 5 Marine Division, he briefly describes his training at Camp Pendelton and Camp Tarawa, and quickly delves into the action when he landed on D-day, February 19, 1945.

Each day brought new horrors, and heartbreaking decisions to either stay up with his unit, or stay behind to treat the endless casualties. The cumulative effects of sleep deprivation, adrenaline overload, and overwhelming fear ultimately lead to his being evacuated, but not before enduring unimaginable horror.