Bringing Mulligan Home: The Other Side of the Good War

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dale Maharidge sets out to uncover the truth about his late father Steve's traumatic experiences in World War II's Pacific theater. Steve Maharidge served as a Marine sergeant in the Battle of Okinawa and returned a changed man, haunted by his wartime past and prone to violent outbursts. The author traces his father's footsteps across the Pacific, tracking down and interviewing surviving members of Love Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Marines. Through extensive research and conversations with veterans, he reconstructs the brutal 82-day campaign on Okinawa and its lasting impact on the men who fought there. The investigation becomes both a quest to understand a father and a broader examination of war trauma passed between generations. Maharidge documents his conversations with aging veterans and their families while weaving in historical context about one of WWII's bloodiest battles. This work challenges the simplified narratives of "the Good War" by revealing the complex psychological toll of combat on soldiers and their loved ones. The book stands as both a personal memoir and a wider meditation on how war's effects ripple through time.

Readers appreciate the detailed investigation into WWII veterans' untold stories and trauma, particularly how Maharidge pieces together his father's military experience. Many note the book provides a raw look at war's psychological impact across generations. Readers highlight: - Personal interviews with surviving veterans - Research into military records and battlefield locations - Connection between wartime trauma and family dynamics - Historical photos and documents Common criticisms: - Narrative can feel disjointed as it jumps between timelines - Some sections get bogged down in military details - A few readers found the author's personal journey less compelling than the veterans' stories Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (126 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (81 ratings) One reader noted: "This book shows the real cost of war - not just in lives lost but in the damage done to survivors." Another mentioned: "The interviews with aging veterans are the heart of this book, capturing voices that would otherwise be lost."

War Without Mercy by John W. Dower This examination of Pacific War combat trauma presents personal accounts from both American and Japanese soldiers who faced psychological scars similar to those explored in Maharidge's work.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien Through interconnected stories of Vietnam War soldiers, O'Brien explores the lasting impact of combat trauma and the complexities of memory that echo Maharidge's investigation of his father's war experiences.

Soldiers and Civilians by Michael S. Neiberg This collection of World War II personal narratives presents firsthand accounts from veterans and their families who struggled with wartime experiences and post-war adjustment.

The Greatest Generation Speaks by Tom Brokaw Letters and testimonials from World War II veterans and their families reveal the hidden burdens of war trauma that parallels Maharidge's exploration of his father's combat experience.

The War Within by Tom Wells This examination of World War II veterans' post-war struggles with PTSD provides context for the psychological impact of combat through personal accounts and military records.

🌟 Dale Maharidge began this journey of discovery after finding a photograph of his father with a fellow Marine named Herman Mulligan, who died in Okinawa during WWII 🌟 The author spent 12 years tracking down and interviewing more than 29 survivors from his father's unit, Love Company, traveling over 30,000 miles in the process 🌟 Steve Maharidge, the author's father, suffered from severe PTSD after the war and would often wake up screaming "I killed him!" though he never revealed who "him" was 🌟 The book reveals that many Pacific War veterans were exposed to horrific scenarios that were largely censored from wartime news reports, including widespread civilian suicides on Saipan 🌟 The research for this book led to the discovery that Herman Mulligan likely died from "friendly fire" during the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill, a fact that had remained unknown for over 60 years