July 08th, 2016

Dennis Blocker has dedicated years into researching this book about World War II and Iwo Jima, specifically the story of the crew of Landing Craft Infantry 449. He traveled across the United States where he was able to interview men who knew his grandfather and had served with him in the Navy. The research has spanned over 14 years and has seen over 100 people interviewed. The research brought to light an amazing tale that had never been covered in detail. With these interviews and hundreds of WWII era letters in hand Dennis approached author Mitch Weiss and asked if he would consider writing the book. The next two years saw great collaboration between these two men and the result is a fabulous manuscript that will astound.

His research revealed a connection to Bath Township in Leroy Young, a Bath Schools alumni.

Dennis is the Pacific War Historian for the National LCI Association and is affiliated with the National Museum of the Pacific War, working with the museum in preserving history. Mitch Weiss is a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist for The Associated Press.