Discover WWII Heroism with author Carole Avriett

author of Midnight in Ironbottom Sound

Author Carole Avriett will discuss her book, Midnight in Ironbottom Sound, the incredible story of the Black Mess Attendant who saved 15 men during the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II.

This event is kindly sponsored by the National Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States.

Books will be available for sale at this event.

Midnight in Ironbottom Sound is a captivating World War II narrative of an untold story in the Pacific theater. In the heart of the Pacific , where the tides of World War II surged, lies a tale of heroism on the high seas. This is the untold story of the USS Gregory (APD-3), a ship manned by unknown sailors whose bravery echoes through the annals of history.

Upon the decks of this vessel, Lieutenant Commander Harry F. Bauer and Mess Attendant Charles J. French, representing the highest and lowest ranks on the USS Gregory, become the focal points of this gripping narrative. In the turbulent waters of the Pacific, their stories, interwoven with the ship's saga -- whose vital mission was to transport Marine Raiders to bloody beaches -- emerge as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering commitment to duty.

Avriett unfolds a brief but catastrophic chapter of naval history that is often overlooked -- that of unremitting warfare during the first few weeks following the initial invasion of the Solomon Islands to the demise of the USS Gregory four weeks later. Within the crucible, the USS Gregory, marked as a "minor" player, takes center stage. The ship's designation as an APD, its brave crew, and the harrowing night of terror they faced, set the stage for an unforgettable story.

Avriett meticulously reveals their heroism and pays homage to the eternal truth that courage has neither color nor prerequisites, and that valor hails from within.

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