D-Day Joke Becomes a Journey of Writing New World War II Memoir

D-Day. This important historical date that turned the tides of World War II has been the subject of many historical books, writings, songs and movies. However, for 12-year-old Ronald Powers who grew up decades after World War II, it was just another tidbit of information for history class and a subject for a joke. What he did not expect was that the joke would turn into a journey of discovering the heroic lives of millions of men and women who served in the war. Today, Powers shares his father's story of love and loyalty to country in his newly published book, One Man In Ten Million.

"Hey, Dad, what does D-Day stand for, 'Dumb Day?'" the young Powers once asked. Being a smart aleck at the time, he thought he was pretty funny. However, his father's fierce gaze pierced through his heart, and the accompanying threat to disown him, if he made another statement like that, rang loudly in his ears. Powers immediately apologized for his statement and learned a valuable lesson that impelled him to publish his book.

"This book is my feeble attempt at redemption for the statement I made as a young ignorant boy and as a tribute to the 10 million men and women who served our great country in such a distinguishEd Manner and who, through sheer willpower and guts, brought the most evil empire in human history to its knees," admits Powers. "My father was only one of those 10 million, but he was definitely cut from the same cloth: humble, patriotic, giving, compassionate, and courageous to a capacity I can only hope to reach."

The book reveals that the classes of 1942 and 1943 from America's high schools made up the largest percentage of the 10 million men that served in the American Armed Forces during World War II. Many were drafted, but many more freely enlisted because they felt it their patriotic duty. Powers' father served with the 104th Infantry Regiment as a part of the 26th "Yankee" Infantry Division. They fought as a part of General Patton's Third U.S. Army. Both he and his regiment experienced many firsts while fighting in the European Theater of Operations.

Eye-opening, evocative and inspiring, One Man In Ten Million is an exceptional story that educates present and future generations about the sacrifices of ordinary citizens who volunteered to be soldiers, and experienced the same privations, fears and terror as their professional comrades. Their sufferings and successes were a means to an end not to be displayed as a badge of honor. Readers will follow Powers' father from his decision to enlist to his return to the country he loved including the 202 days that the 104th Infantry Regiment spent in combat.

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About the Author
Ronald Powers was born and raised in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. Ron is an Air Force veteran and a recently retired high school administrator. He currently resides in Greencastle, Pennsylvania with his wife, Beth, and their four children.

One Man In Ten Million * by Ronald Powers
One Man's Tale of Serving with the 104th Infantry Regiment During World War II
Publication Date: January 31, 2013
Trade Paperback; $15.99; 88 pages; 978-1-4797-8733-3
Trade Hardback; $24.99; 88 pages; 978-1-4797-8734-0

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