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Comes a Soldier's Whisper: A Collection of Wartime Letters with Reflection and Hope for the Future
“The Golden Warrior and the bravest man I ever knew.” “When Dave and I fought together, no matter how severe the action, he would put his hand on my shoulder, and it gave me a calming effect.” “He was as fi erce in battle as he was gentle in friendship.” ―Charles E. Eckman, 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles Holtwood, Pennsylvania “I remember David as a kind, soft-spoken man and was intrigued that he was also Colonel Michaelis’ radio operator. All of these men were larger than life! Little is known about Michealis because he was in command of the 502nd for such a short, yet important, time.” ―Peter J. K. Hendrikx, author of Orange is the Color of the Day Pictorial history of the 101st Airborne Liberation of Holland www.heroesatmargraten.com Madame Rolle, owner of Chateau Rolle―a castle located in Champs outside of Bastogne, Belgium, and was designated as the headquarter command post for the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment when she was a young girl―remembered our father operating his radio in her foyer, and said, “He was a nice young fellow who kept talking to someone named Roger.” ―Madame Rolle This collection of letters, written by a young 101st Airborne paratrooper soldier to his sweetheart from 1943-1945, is so personal and matter-offact that I almost forgot that David Clinton Tharp was only one of millions of heroes made by World War II. David Tharp certainly deserves a book like this in his honor, and it deserves to be read and praised. It is a mustread for every American, and especially for veterans of war. ―Palmetto Review
256 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 6, 2023
what a gift Jenny has given us.
March 2, 2026
Good reference material
November 7, 2019
Beautiful and heartwarming
This was personal for me being a Vietnam war widow. Sadly all my letters were lost years ago. This brought back memories of a faithful love shared by two who were separated by war.
Seeing the change from an innocent boy to a man seasoned by the experiences of war was remarkable. It gave me an insight to the way my husband was being changed, that I never saw firsthand. Thank you.
This was personal for me being a Vietnam war widow. Sadly all my letters were lost years ago. This brought back memories of a faithful love shared by two who were separated by war.
Seeing the change from an innocent boy to a man seasoned by the experiences of war was remarkable. It gave me an insight to the way my husband was being changed, that I never saw firsthand. Thank you.
June 25, 2015
Comes A Soldier’s Whisper is comprised primarily of the letters David Clinton Tharp wrote home to Betty Lou, his future wife and the future mother of the children they would share together. He served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division during WWII. On D-Day, he was in the first wave of soldiers parachuting into Normandy, France.
His letters to Betty Lou are filled with valor in this way. Over and over, the stress of war seeps in, but he resists adding to her worry about him while he’s away. For instance, he mentions soldiers coming home without limbs, in a letter from November 8, 1944, and divulges his worry that were this to happen to him, she might marry him because she felt sorry for him, which he wouldn’t want. “Well, but enough of that.” He finishes abruptly and goes on to assure her he will return home. In another letter sent December of ’44, he writes: “I’ve changed some, not in my features, but inside. Well, so much for that, darling.”
The letters included many sweet moments that let you in to how vital this connection was for them both. As well as some funny moments, as in the joke he tried to tell her in a letter from June 22, 1945. But the recurring theme was the struggle they both endured: to find solace in an imagined future while separated by war. The author of Comes A Soldier’s Whisper, Jenny La Sala, David’s daughter, has created a wonderful tribute for her father with this book and given readers who enjoy personal accounts a fascinating glimpse into history.
His letters to Betty Lou are filled with valor in this way. Over and over, the stress of war seeps in, but he resists adding to her worry about him while he’s away. For instance, he mentions soldiers coming home without limbs, in a letter from November 8, 1944, and divulges his worry that were this to happen to him, she might marry him because she felt sorry for him, which he wouldn’t want. “Well, but enough of that.” He finishes abruptly and goes on to assure her he will return home. In another letter sent December of ’44, he writes: “I’ve changed some, not in my features, but inside. Well, so much for that, darling.”
The letters included many sweet moments that let you in to how vital this connection was for them both. As well as some funny moments, as in the joke he tried to tell her in a letter from June 22, 1945. But the recurring theme was the struggle they both endured: to find solace in an imagined future while separated by war. The author of Comes A Soldier’s Whisper, Jenny La Sala, David’s daughter, has created a wonderful tribute for her father with this book and given readers who enjoy personal accounts a fascinating glimpse into history.
May 29, 2014
World War II buffs can completely immerse themselves in the culture, customs and vernacular of young Americans during the War with this book. It sheds great insight into the morals and morality of America at the time as well as revealing the deepest desires and expectations of young men (as expressed by one young man) as they left home to fight for their country.
Mixed in with all of this is the compelling story of one proud young paratrooper whose letters home provide the basis for the book. Infrequent explanations provide some context for the letters as we are not privy to the letters David Clinton Tharp is answering but he was a prolific writer and the hundreds of letters he wrote to his girl (eventually to be his wife) and his mother provide the tapestry of a modern story of a sometimes confused, always questioning, love struck soldier that must be as old as time.
All of the action experienced by Tharp is subtly introduced well after it occurs and his wounds and hospital stays sneak up on the reader without warning. His struggle with "Shell Shock" (called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder today) and his regard for not alarming those he loved showed a maturity not often seen in 20 year-olds. We can all relate to his gripes and complaints, few as they were, as many of those issues still remain in the military of today.
Buy it. Read it. It will reach out and grab you and not let go until the end.
Mixed in with all of this is the compelling story of one proud young paratrooper whose letters home provide the basis for the book. Infrequent explanations provide some context for the letters as we are not privy to the letters David Clinton Tharp is answering but he was a prolific writer and the hundreds of letters he wrote to his girl (eventually to be his wife) and his mother provide the tapestry of a modern story of a sometimes confused, always questioning, love struck soldier that must be as old as time.
All of the action experienced by Tharp is subtly introduced well after it occurs and his wounds and hospital stays sneak up on the reader without warning. His struggle with "Shell Shock" (called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder today) and his regard for not alarming those he loved showed a maturity not often seen in 20 year-olds. We can all relate to his gripes and complaints, few as they were, as many of those issues still remain in the military of today.
Buy it. Read it. It will reach out and grab you and not let go until the end.
January 23, 2016
Another great read from Jenny, a great insight to the soldier that serves a great cause.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews