Invisible Hero: Two Boys and an Exciting Tale of Honor and Valor (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781720050810)

From a small-town childhood to the bloody shores of Iwo Jima and a flag-raising that would be seen around the world, follow the exciting true story of Ernest "Boots" Thomas and Jim Sledge in this action-packed adventure of bravery and self-sacrifice. "Invisible Hero" captures the thrilling and dramatic story of two boys and their lives and adventures in the Second World War. Follow Boots Thomas and his best friend Jim Sledge and experience what life was like growing up in a small town in the shadow of the Great Depression, and then see firsthand how the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and World War Two transformed these boys' lives forever. In this gripping tale of valor, self-sacrifice, and supreme love that lays down everything for a friend, learn the true meaning of loyalty, responsibility, and the solemn duty of honoring those who have fallen. The history of Platoon Sergeant Ernest "Boots" Thomas has inspired people of all ages for generations. His small-town childhood, the unswerving dedication he brought to every task, and his heroic desire to protect his family and home-joined with the wartime fame of raising a historic flag on the bloody sands of Iwo Jima-make the story of Boots Thomas an exciting and inspiring tale for young and old alike. As a young man who refused to glamorize his part in a justly historic battle and who bestowed all credit on his comrades instead of himself, Boots Thomas truly encapsulated the words of Solomon: "let another praise you, and not your own mouth" (Prov. 27:2). The history of his short life provides a stirring model for children of all ages. Thomas' diligence in even the little things, his responsibility in positions of authority, and his willing acceptance of the difficult tasks laid before him are all examples from which generations of children can learn. As his company commander Captain Dave Severance said of him on Iwo Jima: "I know of no more appropriate praise than to say that Boots Thomas] was a credit to his parents who raised him." Alongside the history of Sergeant Thomas flows the story of Jim Sledge, Thomas' closest friend. Raised in a little town in rural Florida, the two boys grew up together like brothers. When their paths diverged with college training and the coming of World War Two, they remained in contact through letters and visits. Boots joined the Marines and Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After the war, Jim returned to Monticello alone. Boots' death on Iwo Jima at only twenty years of age could easily have been regarded as the last tragic scene in a tragically short life, but for Jim Sledge the solemn duty of honoring the memory of his fallen friend drove him to a lifetime of preserving the history of Boots' life and work and the lessons it provides to the rising generations. Jim's selfless dedication of keeping alive his friend's memory for over seven decades of life beautifully captures the truth of Solomon's words: "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). Within "Invisible Hero" the history of Sergeant Boots Thomas and Jim Sledge (previously published under the title "Call Me No Hero") has been condensed and rewritten for a younger audience. Though the story has been greatly abridged, the facts remain the same, preserving the historicity of the book for younger readers.

Author: R. A. Sheats
ISBN-10: 1720050813
ISBN-13: 9781720050810
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 09/04/2018
Pages: 176
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.59lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.41d