Lieutenant Ramsey's War

Ramsey spent three years as a guerrilla chief in the Philippines during WW II, directing sabotage against the Japanese and gathering intelligence against the day of Douglas MacArthur's return. When that day arrived in 1945, the general told the lieutenant, ``I am here by the grace of God and your good work.'' Ramsey's personal story, written with Rivele ( The Plumber ), is a gripping one. A hell-raising kid from Wichita whose parents sent him to military school to shape up, he became obsessed with horses and decided to make a career in the U.S. Army Cavalry Corps. Assigned to the Philippines, he was looking forward to living a country club life, playing polo, wearing a white dinner jacket in the evenings, when the Japanese spoiled his plans. Ramsey found himself leading the last mounted cavalry charge in U.S. military history, was trapped behind enemy lines and--despite malnutrition, dysentery, malaria, an acute appendicitis attack and two mild strokes--established a guerrilla force that grew to about 40,000. Photos. 40,000 first printing; $50,000 ad/promo; Military Book Club dual main selection. (Nov.)