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Resolve: From the Jungles of WW II Bataan, A Story of a Soldier, a Flag, and a Promise Ke pt
On April 9, 1942, thousands of U.S. soldiers surrendered as the Philippines’ island of Luzon fell to the Japanese. A few hundred Americans placed their faith in their own hands and headed for the jungles.
One of them was Clay Conner Jr.—a twenty-three-year-old Army Air Force communications officer who had never even camped before…
The obstacles to Conner’s survival were as steep as the Zimbales Mountains that Conner had to traverse among them, malaria, heat, jungle rot, snakes, and mosquitoes. Beyond that, the threat of enemy soldiers who would ultimately put a price on Conner’s head, and local natives and villagers who claimed to be his friends only to later betray him. And, finally, he had to overcome his own self doubts, struggle with the despair of having to bury dead comrades, deal with friction among his fellow American soldiers, and survive years passing with little hope of rescue.
But if conflict reveals character, Conner showed himself to be a man of iron will, unbridled boldness, and endless perseverance. Inspired by an unlikely alliance with a tribe of arrow-shooting pygmy Negritos, by the words in a dog-eared New Testament, and by a tattered American flag that he vowed to someday triumphantly fly at battalion headquarters, Conner would survive and fight for almost three years.
Resolve is the story of an unlikely hero who never surrendered to the enemy—and of a soldier who never gave up hope.
One of them was Clay Conner Jr.—a twenty-three-year-old Army Air Force communications officer who had never even camped before…
The obstacles to Conner’s survival were as steep as the Zimbales Mountains that Conner had to traverse among them, malaria, heat, jungle rot, snakes, and mosquitoes. Beyond that, the threat of enemy soldiers who would ultimately put a price on Conner’s head, and local natives and villagers who claimed to be his friends only to later betray him. And, finally, he had to overcome his own self doubts, struggle with the despair of having to bury dead comrades, deal with friction among his fellow American soldiers, and survive years passing with little hope of rescue.
But if conflict reveals character, Conner showed himself to be a man of iron will, unbridled boldness, and endless perseverance. Inspired by an unlikely alliance with a tribe of arrow-shooting pygmy Negritos, by the words in a dog-eared New Testament, and by a tattered American flag that he vowed to someday triumphantly fly at battalion headquarters, Conner would survive and fight for almost three years.
Resolve is the story of an unlikely hero who never surrendered to the enemy—and of a soldier who never gave up hope.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 6, 2012
16 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 21, 2018
This book is the remarkable story of one man experience in the Philippine Jungle of WW2. Lt Clay Connor Jr was a man who joined up just before the bombing of Pearl Harbour. The book is well written and researched and is a fluid read. The book describes the political situation both with the world and the importance of the the Philippines plus as does deeply into the political situation of the Filipino society and the struggles that this caused during the war. We watch as Clay Connor Jr develops into a leader through the trails and ordeals that he goes through. As he develops so does his purpose and understanding of what his role is in setting up a guerrilla band to harass the Japanese and support the Filipino people at the same time just trying to stay alive!
This book is a must read for those that want a moving true story full of action, adventure and well research historical events. 5 Star read beyond a doubt!
This book is a must read for those that want a moving true story full of action, adventure and well research historical events. 5 Star read beyond a doubt!
January 2, 2013
Resolve is the amazing story of Clay Conner Jr's Survival in the Philippines during WWII.
Watch this, it is amazing. http://www.nralifeofduty.tv/#!/patrio...
Watch this, it is amazing. http://www.nralifeofduty.tv/#!/patrio...
February 3, 2016
Recommended by a friend who knows the son of the main character. So hard to read when you know it really happened.
April 30, 2022
This was one of my Dollar Tree finds. I don't know how it makes the author feel...but I am happy I picked it up.
Clay Conner, Jr's story was riveting from beginning to end. You go along with him as he enlists, travels to paradise, then the reality of war hits, he finds himself in the jungle just trying to stay alive, gorilla warfare, and all the way to his life once he is back home. I really like when non-fiction writers tell the story with dialog. I feel like it makes it easier to follow along. Unlike your typical school History book that just lays out the facts for you.
I truly enjoyed reading this and was fascinated with everything that happened. Nothing came off like it was fabricated or too farfetched to have happened. You know Hollywoodified. Anyway, you get to read behind the scenes of Bataan and learn things that otherwise you would never know. 10/10 (another) would recommend for History buff or anyone just genuinely interested in the other side of WW2 that you don't really hear about.
Clay Conner, Jr's story was riveting from beginning to end. You go along with him as he enlists, travels to paradise, then the reality of war hits, he finds himself in the jungle just trying to stay alive, gorilla warfare, and all the way to his life once he is back home. I really like when non-fiction writers tell the story with dialog. I feel like it makes it easier to follow along. Unlike your typical school History book that just lays out the facts for you.
I truly enjoyed reading this and was fascinated with everything that happened. Nothing came off like it was fabricated or too farfetched to have happened. You know Hollywoodified. Anyway, you get to read behind the scenes of Bataan and learn things that otherwise you would never know. 10/10 (another) would recommend for History buff or anyone just genuinely interested in the other side of WW2 that you don't really hear about.
November 1, 2021
This book was given to me and I started it expecting a glossy story of a war hero. What I got was a raw and very real look inside the heroic and flawed natures of mankind. The book tells an amazing survival story, yes, but it also paints a backdrop of the people of the Philippines in individual accounts and broad sweeps. Clay Conner, Jr is heroic but also very, very human. His failures make his successes believable and relevant.
The book moves along quickly and is quite an adventurer. However, the post-story may be even more compelling. Conner's return from the jungles of the Philippines to America, though only touched upon in the book, reveals the larger challenges of life as he builds a worthy life and then upends it in his later days.
The book serves up many examples of bravery, betrayal, hope, and despair, and is a cautionary reminder of the light and the dark within all of us as we all must choose every day which path we will take.
The book moves along quickly and is quite an adventurer. However, the post-story may be even more compelling. Conner's return from the jungles of the Philippines to America, though only touched upon in the book, reveals the larger challenges of life as he builds a worthy life and then upends it in his later days.
The book serves up many examples of bravery, betrayal, hope, and despair, and is a cautionary reminder of the light and the dark within all of us as we all must choose every day which path we will take.
November 8, 2020
Great story and we'll written!
January 5, 2014
What a book! While leaving church a few weeks ago, I spotted a bumper sticker advertising this book. The title looked great, and when I looked it up on the web, the fact that it was a war story of survival and courage inspired me to read it. After my wife bought me a Kindle for Christmas ('13), it was a done deal. This book opened my eyes to some of the realities of war in the Philippines during WW2. It was an incredible story of perseverance, endurance, adventure, etc... The title is terrific for the book. The author's historical labor behind the book's writing is evident... The ties to the of the character's to the community in which I live brought a certain understanding and enjoyment to the reading of it as well.
June 24, 2015
During World War II when Americans forces in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese, several hundred Americans took to the hills instead or were able to escape during the Bataan Death March. Lt. Clay Connor, Jr., was one of those refusing to surrender. Resolve is the story of his struggel to survive and form a guerrilla unit. It provides a uniques cross section of the islands, pulling no punches.
May 29, 2015
Having two uncles who fought in the Philippines, with one of those enduring the Bataan Death March, I had a strong desire to read this book. Bob Welch does an excellent job putting us in the jungles with Clay Conner. To read about what Conner did to stay alive for almost 3 years was gut wrenching and yet heart warming.
Thank you Bob Welch for keeping alive what these incredible men accomplished in fighting for our country.
Thank you Bob Welch for keeping alive what these incredible men accomplished in fighting for our country.
December 28, 2019
Amazing story of bravery , loyalty and resourcefulness. A handful of US soldiers avoided the Japanese for two years in the Phillipine jungle, despite lack of food, illness and the need for constant relocation. This book is nicely written, though it is not destined to be a classic war memoir. Nevertheless, the story is compelling and the book is definitely worth reading for anyone with an interest in WWII.
November 7, 2013
Riveting in the first 2/3rds of the story. Seemed to run on a little too long in the end. Did a good job of explaining the different factions (Fillipinos, Negritos, and Huks) involved in the resistance. I was completely ignorant of the existence of the Negritos in particular, and have an even greater appreciation for how wonderful the people of the Phillipines are.
January 4, 2014
Interesting to me, I know most of the places in this book. I was able to visit many of them when I lived in the Philippines back in the mid-1970s. Besides that, this was a very good read, but not a complete history, since that is not possible. I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys the history of WW2 from the viewpoint of the individual soldier,
December 6, 2012
This book chronicles the life of Clay Conner, who (with permission from his superior officers) fled into the jungle rather than surrender to the Japanese when Bataan fell. It is truly an amazing story and a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
January 9, 2013
The inner strength of a college cheer leader and his ability to survive the atrocities that he is thrown into during World War II. This true story is another testament of why that generation of men and women are called 'The Greatest Generation'.
March 2, 2013
An amazing story. Well, amazing doesn't really cover it. Remarkable... Astounding... Unbelievable...
Pick your adjective.
Clay Connor Jr.'s story of survival in the Jungles of Bataan after the fall of Corregidor in World War II.
Wow.
Pick your adjective.
Clay Connor Jr.'s story of survival in the Jungles of Bataan after the fall of Corregidor in World War II.
Wow.
April 22, 2014
Well written story by one of our local newspaper writers. The philippines campaign always seems to get less info than the the European theater of WWII so there was some good historical knowledge here as well as a compelling story.
October 24, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book. Well-written! An amazing true story of a young officer fleeing into the jungle to avoid the Bataan Death March and surviving there throughout WWII. Truly an epic story.
April 8, 2013
Great book about a WWII hero in the Philippines during the Japanese takeover of the island and the American recovery of power later in the war.
August 21, 2014
Terrific story of Batan death march and survival of a few who spent 4 years in the jungle to survive WWII.
March 22, 2015
A well written, well researched story of how a man can not only change himself, but encourage others to dig the very best out from the very bottom of their being...amazing story.
May 23, 2016
I can tell you one thing for sure, Neal Shusterman was definitely inspired from this American hero in his Unwind trilogies. Conner, Connor the AWOL who saved the world. This book is alright.
February 8, 2013
This was a story about WW2 in Bataan that I was unaware of. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews