Life of a Dogface WWII Combat Infantryman

by Bill O'Brien

Bill O’Brien was drafted for World War 2 and sent to the European Theater just weeks after D-Day, replacing the dead and injured from the first wave of soldiers . Born in 1924, he watched the advent of movies, television, the telephone, and the automobile. As a young teen, he struggled with his family through the Depression and along with most of the nation anticipated helping our European allies fight back against the maniac Hitler. When he was called, he answered; he trained, he survived, and when he returned home in almost one piece, he went to college to become a teacher on the G.I. Bill.

Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2019

Reviews

[William L. McCracken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviews can be misleading

The reviews I read lead me to believe I was going to read about a combat infantryman's life during the march across Europe and about ten percent of the book did just that. The rest of the story was an ego trip down memory lane and the bitter hind sight of decisions made in a war torn world. In the author's view, all the leaders that were in command of D-Day and the battle of the bulge were wrong and In his simple world should never have happened.

[Becca O · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a book

This is a group of scattered memories put down by a man looking
back at almost 100 years of life. It gives an interesting glimpse into how America was before and after WWII, but jumps all over, is at times inaccurate and rambling. Still, Mr. O'Brien has led a unique life and I thank him for his service.

[Gregory R. Whitlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Life story of an amazing American that this generation needs to learn, that life owes you nothing, what you get you work for. He was a part of that greatest generation like my Dad and his siblings so I can really appreciate his experiences.

[Scott Caswell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased this book based on a misunderstanding. I thought it was strictly a WWII memoirs, but instead, it proved to be an autobiography. The book is divided into three main parts: the author’s childhood in Depression-era Indiana, his service during WWII, and his postwar life. It’s a very short book and, when one considers that it encapsulates one man’s entire life, it easily seen how his military service plays a relatively small role. Perhaps that could be easily overlooked, save for the fact that the small portion on WWII is extremely basic and hurried. It reads rather like a conversation you might have with a veteran in a bar, “I was in the War once. I fought in Europe, got shot in the leg, was scared as hell.” It really is that simple. Rather than a chronological narrative, beginning with his first day in combat and describing all subsequent days, it really just comes down to the author relaying a few disconnected stories. I have a particular interest in the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest, but sadly, the author barely devotes more than a page to his time fighting there. Strangely enough, near the end of the book, after writing at considerable length about his teaching career, the author lists some complaints about the conduct of WWII and it is the only time he provides any appreciable details on the fighting on the Hürtgen. Even then, he offers nothing original, but states he doesn’t have the words to describe the battle and, instead, quotes another veteran’s work from a magazine. I don’t mean to denigrate the author’s life or his service as a soldier and an educator, but as a history of WWII this work is very thin gruel indeed.

[Terence Lionel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book

I love this book and the author discussion of the battles of Normandy and Hurtgen Forest remanded more of the Wilderness during the Civil War. US Army should have learned from the past. Many authors argued that the Naval bombardment was too short and US launch its landing craft to far out. The author’s brings the reader grim picture of war. This a great book. I the author writes more books.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great surprise to find this book while searching combat infantry first-person memoirs! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Bill O’Brien captured succinctly what going out onto the front lines felt like in WW2, and what he experienced. (I never even knew they were called dogfaces!)

Editing was great, and in spite of its size (well under 100 pages, all in), the author’s writing & sense of humor flowed smoothly throughout. After reading his memoir, I had a smile on my face - it felt like I had gotten to see a glimpse of a war hero. (shrapnel and all!🤭)

I highly recommend this book. Kudos again to the author! 👏🏼

[Al Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read..

Truth in the first person. Truth about how blundering some military commanders can be. Especially swivel chair commandos in their safe ivory towers. God bless our enlisted men and women. The true heroes of any conflict.

[Martha McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

Bill O'Brien book was great. I really enjoyed. I was infantry in Vietnam as I can relate. Thank you bill once agajn.