Book Gifts for World War II Veterans

My Grandfather was a sailor in World War II, and every year since the end of the war, his fellow sailors have gotten together to reminisce about their time together and to share stories with wives and children. Last year, he came back from the meeting, and when I asked him how it went, he said, “There aren’t many of us left, Sam.”

Last year was the last time that they will ever meet annually, because there aren’t enough men left to constitute a large gathering. This was a difficult truth for my Grandfather to accept, because he is very attached to the history of the country he served so proudly, and because he gained a certain amount of comfort from meeting with his fellow sailors each year.

If you have a parent or a grandparent who served in World War II, you may not be aware of how strongly they feel about the war. Of all the men whom I’ve met who served during that time, they almost always collect mementos and memorabilia to remind them of how awful and terrible war is for both sides, and of the wonderful people they met during their tours of duty.

For this reason, World War II gifts are excellent ideas for Christmas and birthdays because it shows that you care and that you understand how much it means to them. I’ve found that books make excellent presents, but there are other things – posters, flags, weapons, etc. – that will show your veteran friends and family how much you appreciate their participation in the fight for freedom and liberty.

BOOKS

Beyond Valor: World War II’s Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat

This was put out in 1999, and is one of the most touching, heartwrenching books I have ever read. It contains more than one hundred anecdotes and vignettes from various Rangers and Airborne veterans who tell their stories with startling clarity. They recount acts of heroism, compassion, and triumph among fellow soldiers, and they admit terrible tragedies that they were forced to witness while surging across the battlefield. It has a beautiful cover and makes a great nightstand or coffee table book.

Rangers in World War II

This book must have taken years to create, because it contains extensive research and anecdotes about the Rangers of the second world war. From first-person interviews to accounts of battles and missions, it displays an inordinate understanding of what happened during the war, and of the people who gave their lives to fight for the American cause.

Biggest Brother by Larry Alexander

This book spans the time from D-Day until the end of the war, and tells the story of Major Richard Winters, who was famous for his integrity and compassion on the battlefield. Told is biographical form, Alexander pursues the valiant actions of commanding officers during the second world war, and gives an accurate portrayal of the United States Army sixty years ago.

World War II, Day By Day by Michael Armitage

For history buffs and for men and women who enjoy recounted versions of what they saw and did during the war, this is an excellent, accurate, sometimes-violent portrayal of every major event during World War II. It is a comprehensive assortment, arranged by date, of things that soldiers and officers did during their tours of duty. It talks about uniforms, weapons, day-to-day activities, and military strategy. It has been called a “see-it-again” experience for veterans.

World War II: A Photographic History by David Boyle

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this book proves that theory over and over again. It captures the essence of World War II in ways that other pictographic literature does not. More than 900 photographs make up this volume, each of which come from various museums and International archives. The infamous D-Day invasion, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the bombing of Nagasaki are all included.

Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II’s Most Dramatic Mission by Hampton Sides

In a more prose-like fashion, Hampton Sides paints a haunting picture of life during World War II in three separate and highly evocative stories. The first tells of Japan’s initial military successes in Asia and the South Pacific, and of the emergency evacuation of Allied troops from Bataan in 1942. The second describes the horror faced by the survivors of the terrible Bataan Death March as they fought for their lives in the POW camp at Cabanatuan. And lastly, Sides goes back tothe daring liberation of the 513 British and American soldiers who struggled for survival at the jungle’s edge.

MEMORABILIA

There are two websites that I wanted to list which have an amazing assortment of gifts for veterans of the second world war. I have used the services of both, and they have excellent customer service with extremely fast delivery.

www.cafepress.com/shop/military

This is the place to go for World War II prints. I have found the quality available here only in antique shops across the United States, and they have available thousands of gifts that will bring back memories for any veteran. The have “Buy War Bonds” prints and “Women In War” framed posters. They also have mugs, t-shirts, and other collectible gifts. You can search for any war – including the Korean War and World War I – and they ship within 1-2 business days.

www.gdmilitaria.com

This is a more serious site dedicated to weapons, uniforms, and decorative memorabilia. They have authentic uniforms from the second world war, bayonets, guns, daggers, swords, and medals. They also sell jewelry, plates, pins, buttons, and coins.