The Good Soldier: The Story of a Southwest Pacific Signal Corps Wac

Rating:
Summary: The REAL South Pacific WWII WAC
Review: I doubt if any living American over the age of 21 is completely ignorant of the halcyon vision of WACs in the South Pacific during WWII. Well, that vision isn't very accurate. Selene Weise knows; she was one of very, very few WACs to actually serve in the area.

A cryptographer, Weise found herself in seemingly endless mud, rain, stifling heat, and misery living in tents with no creature comforts, mind-blowing boredom, and even some danger. With grossly inadequate food, an Army totally unprepared to meet even minimal needs of women, and supply lines that were often non-existent, the WACs just had to hunker down and endure. But through it all, Weise and her fellow WACs did just that. In the end, she came out of it with three battle stars; a rare thing for a woman soldier.

The book is remarkable not only for its unique story, but for the riveting method Weise uses to tell it. With only minimal fill-in, Weise reconstructs her experiences from letters she wrote home to her mother during the war. This gives the work a immediacy and sincerity that would be difficult to match. While trying hard to remain upbeat and positive about appalling conditions, Weise maintains a sense of humor and perspective that is commendable.

WWII is passing into history with fewer and fewer who remember. Of those, even fewer are aware women served too, let alone served in the South Pacific. Not only is this book a splendid history lesson, it's an outstanding good read. Brava!