Need Help for a Research Project

[7eat51]

Hello Folks,

Recently, I have read a few books, that along with some discussions here with fellow members, have seeded a research topic I would like to explore. I teach several ethics courses, all of which have a strong emphasis on developing a virtuous character. Part of that character would be an orientation toward service, sacrifice on behalf of others, and fortitude or courage. I think it would be worthwhile to read accounts of such behavior and attitudes in military history, to look for common characteristics of those so engaged, and to assess such behavior, attitudes, and characteristic through the lens of virtue theory.

The following are some of the titles I own that would be useful in such a project. I would appreciate if you could recommend other titles, documentaries, etc. that you think might be beneficial.

Thank you for any help you are willing to offer.

Eric

WWI
Flight of the Eagles: The Story of the American Kosciuszko Squadron in the Polish-Russian War 1919-1920

WWII
A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II
The Few: The American "Knights of the Air" Who Risked Everything to Save Britain in the Summer of 1940
Moral Combat: A History of World War II

[BobP]

I have A Higher Call but haven't read it yet. Last book I read was Unlikely Warriors.

The book is about the Army Security Agency (ASA) in Viet Nam. This was the unit I was in so brought back some memories. The book deals mostly with DF/ARDF (directing finding/airborne direction finding) It starts from when the French were there and goes until the end. The first actual causality was an 054 (later 05D) who was killed in a ambush with some South Vietnamese while trying to DF a VC transmitter. The book goes through many things these guys did. We were not trained infantry but in some instances some fought like that. There is a story of when a DF Bird (Beaver) was shot down about the action of one of the crew. His name was Jorgenson. I didn't think about it until at the end of the chapter there was note about him. He was my 1SGT when I was stationed on Okinawa. These guys were dedicated in what they did. They were the ones that I had to keep faith with for what they did before me. I was at Phu Bai (8th RRFS) Aug 71-Aug 72.
Unit challenge coin


Patch and unit crests.


In the book they mention an APC that we used with the 5th Mech. This is a picture of that APC. That is not me but a friend. I took the picture.

I was lucky to get the book signed by the authors.
Feel free to ask any question you may have Eric.

[gully_raker]

One source you might like to consider Eric is the book covering Victoria Cross winners. I think it has been reviewed in the forum book section.
Also recommend "Black Fokker Leader" by Peter Kilduff. Its about Carl Degalow who told his Jasta to shoot the aircraft & not the pilot! Pretty impressive under the circumstances.

[7eat51]

Hi Folks,

I spoke with my Dean, and he has given me his support to start this research project, securing, for me, some funds for books. Our school librarian has asked for a list of books to order for the library. If you can recommend resources (biographies, documentaries, memoirs, etc.) on military figures or events that address, with some measure of depth, any of the following topics, I would be most appreciative.

Sacrifice
Heroism
Leadership
Decision-Making
Ethics
Evil

This will be a multi-faceted, multi-step project. I will explore the relationship between character and its impact on the above topics. Like any research endeavor, one starts, never knowing where it will, ultimately, lead.

I appreciate any suggestions you are willing to offer, whether resource titles or research ideas/avenues. Thank you.

[gully_raker]

G'day Eric! Again I do recommend the book on Victoria Cross winners as that will give you Heroism & Sacrifice.
For leadership you could read about Mick Mannock who was considered along with McCudden one of the best Flight/Squadron leaders of WW1
For evil none better than Herman Goring in WW2 or Adolph himself along with Gobbles, Himmler etc.

[7eat51]

Hi Baz,

Thanks for the suggestions.

After your suggestion for the VC winner book (in my queue on amazon), I remember seeing a couple of similar titles at a used bookstore in town, and picked them up.



I just ordered one on Himmler that looks pretty interesting:

[flash]

British VC's of World War 2 by John Laffin is probably the book Baz is referring to - if not it's a good one anyway !
Infantry Aces of the Reich by Gordon Williamson may have some interesting examples too.
Panzer Commander by Hans von Luck is very good too.

[Nightbomber]

Not to be suspected of supporting my national heroes, that are legion now I shall recommend Otto Kretschmer's biography written by Terence Robertson "Der Wolf im Atlantik" (PL: "Wilk na Atlantyku"), which English version is probably entitled "The Golden Horseshoe".



While his exploits in the Battle of Atlantic are quite commonly known, I was especially struck by the story of his war life spent in the POW camp and the attitude he presented there towards others. Excellent officer example.

[7eat51]

Thanks, Andrzej. That will make for an interesting line of study. I had not considered the attitude/behavior of PoWs.

[flash]

Have to consider Franz von Werra in that case Eric - The One That got Away by James Leasor - and what about The Boarding Party by the same author ...The movie was called 'The Sea Wolves'. The story of a group of Englishmen well beyond the age for active military duty - sounds a bit like some of us !!

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

We Were Soldiers Once: Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L. Galloway, an excellent read about US first major engagement in Vietnam.

Kitcheners Last Volunteer: Henry Allingham, who fought on Land, Sea and in the Air during WW1.

Band of Brothers: Stephen Ambrose. Leadership, courage, heroism, sacrifice at its best.

Pegasus Bridge: Stephen Ambrose. Leadership, courage, heroism, sacrifice at its best.

Marshal Zhukov's Greatest Battles: Georgi K Zhukov. Tenacity and single minded driving leadership with one goal.

The Trail of the Desert Fox: David Irving. Biography

Rommel, the Desert Fox: Brigadier Desmond Young. Biography

Serve to Lead (An Anthology): Compiled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Covers, Morale, Leadership, Discipline, Man Management, Duty and Service and Courage. Not forgetting the British Soldier. Qoautes and extracts from numerous military commanders.

[gully_raker]

Have to consider Franz von Werra in that case Eric - The One That got Away by James Leasor - and what about The Boarding Party by the same author ...The movie was called 'The Sea Wolves'. The story of a group of Englishmen well beyond the age for active military duty - sounds a bit like some of us !!

Yes Flash! The Boarding Party is great stuff.
Watch the movie if you want a fictionalized version but great fun with David Niven, Rodger Moore etc in full romp!

[csadn]

"ETHICS"!?

[traditional BBC "footsteps running away" FX]

[Zoe Brain]

Please PM me, and I'll put you in contact with a friend of mine, Lynette Nusbacher. Her knowledge of military history is encyclopedic.

Meanwhile, this one takes a few too many liberties with the facts -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-19:_The_Widowmaker

More factual data about the "Hiroshima" here:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/k1...html_main.html

[7eat51]

Thank you for your recommendations, Folks. I am compiling them into a resource list.

Zoe, PM is on its way.

Chris, the irony is that the U.S.A.F. was one of the most ethical sub-cultures I have ever been a part of. I had the privilege of working with and for truly extraordinary individuals. That was 20 years ago, so I am not making any claim about current military culture, though the Vets I have met in the past few years were quite impressive.

[csadn]

Chris, the irony is that the U.S.A.F. was one of the most ethical sub-cultures I have ever been a part of. I had the privilege of working with and for truly extraordinary individuals. That was 20 years ago, so I am not making any claim about current military culture, though the Vets I have met in the past few years were quite impressive.

Actually, I was referring to what happens when you put me, and Ethics, in the same room -- can you say "matter-antimatter reaction"? >;)