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It is FINALLY here! And I am SO excited to share my big news with you!
Over the past year I have spent a bazillion hours reseaching, writing, and compiling my new book: A Marine by Monday: A Hard of Hearing Man’s Journey in World War II. After all of that work, I cried when I finally declared the book complete.
A Marine by Monday
That handsome man in the photo above is my grandfather, M.B. Hamby. Isn’t he cute?! He looks so calm and collected just leaning up against his plane; you’d never know he was in the middle of fighting a war!
The handsome man in the photo left behind a life of comfort and convenience to strap himself into the back of a plane and dive 32,000 feet at 275 miles per hour. He must have had nerves of steel! In fact, M.B. and the men and women just like him are truly what made them the Greatest Generation.
Writing the Book
I have always been interested in World War II and, in particular, my grandfather’s service. Despite my interest, I never really knew a lot about his service. In fact, I knew he was a tail gunner (ie radio gunner) and that he was in Midway, but my knowledge ended there.
But two things happened to change that: the passing of my uncle and the Monument Builders of North America MBUniversity. What a random combination, right?!
My Uncle, the Family Historian
Every family has a designated historian. Mine was my highly disorganized uncle.
Never married or having had children, he lived life his way- in an array of chaos and clutter. Collections of all kinds were scattered around the house, leaving my sister and me discovering new “treasures” everywhere we turned.
Most items were treasures in the sarcastic sense. But some were true treasures that we will forever cherish. Amongst those items was our Grandfather’s collection of memoriabilia and photos from his service in World War II. We were thrilled!
The Monument Convention
Just a few short weeks after our discovery, I jetted off to San Diego for the Monument Builders of North America MBUniversity. Little did I know the event would change my life!
While wandering the rows of vendors, I discovered a booth call World War II Research. Of course this book peaked my interest! So I stopped by.
While visiting with the team at the booth, I shared my interest in discovering more about my grandfather’s World War II service. As it turns out, they were able to help and I soon enlisted their services.
Some say my encounter with them was destiny- I say it was a blessing. No matter what you call it, Bill Beigel and the team at World War II Research were phenomenal! If you need information regarding a loved one’s service, I highly recommend reaching out to them.
Putting ALL The Pieces Together
It took nearly a year to piece together a true timeline of my grandfather’s service. Although he had labeled many of his photos, building a timeline with them was a challenge.
Hours upon hours were spent sorting and organizing photos. The photo above is just a little snippet of what that looked like. And, while it was a TON of work, I loved every minute spent piecing together the timeline of my grandfather’s journey.
I will share more details on how I pieced together this timeline (believe it or not, there is an art to it!) on my A Marine by Monday store and blog.
Check It Out!
Of all the memorials I have made- this one is my favorite. And I am so excited to share it with you. I hope you will visit A Marine by Monday and check out the information about Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 333. It is truly a historical gem!
(photo below taken after the VERY FIRST copy arrived in the mail)
Book Description
An incredible documentary, A Marine by Monday, follows the first-hand accounts of a hard of hearing Marine determined to serve his country.
Dreams of leaving the small town of Weleetka, Oklahoma, danced in M.B. Hamby’s head. They seemed so real and attainable, yet they never came true. Instead, he managed a local department store, earning wages to support his widowed mother and two older brothers. After all, Wally, the oldest, was on track to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon and required funds to get through school. Heaven knows their mother couldn’t help, and the middle child, Alex, simply wouldn’t.
But when the U.S. entered World War II on December 8, 1941, M.B. saw an opportunity to get paid, get out of Weleetka, and experience the thrill of a lifetime.
But there was just one problem: he could barely hear.
Despite the muffled sounds of the world around him, the call of duty rang loud and clear. It pulsed through his veins and fueled his determination. And when his military entry physical revealed a failed hearing test, he became more resolute than ever before.
Experience M.B.’s journey through the pages of his first-hand accounts as he navigates the thrilling and challenging adventures that await him in the United States Marine Corps.
His stories will take you from the lines of a crowded boot camp to far-off lands filled with adrenaline-pumping missions and unexpected friendships forged. Get ready to be immersed in a world of bravery, sacrifice, and camaraderie as you follow M.B.’s footsteps through his time in the Corps.
Packed full of treasured, first-hand accounts, A Marine by Monday is a beautiful reminder of both the opportunity and heartbreak that comes with being a nation at war.
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