David M. Shoup was a heroic and decorated military hero. After having served stateside and in China during the 1920s and 1930s, Shoup quickly moved up the ranks upon the outset of the Second World War. For his bravery and leadership in the victory at Tarawa in the Pacific, Shoup was awarded the Medal of Honor. Following the war, Shoup continued his service, eventually being named Commandant of the Marine Corps. Yet, despite this clear dedication to his life-long career in the armed services, Shoup became a fervent and outspoken critic of the Vietnam War. His very public opinions won him the respect of protesters and the loathing of many fellow officers and friends. In this fascinating new biography, historian Howard Jablon chronicles the career of this soldier turned war protester.

About the Author
Howard Jablon is professor of history and chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Purdue University North Central.

Reviews
'Quagmire' analogists about Vietnam and our second Iraq war should make this succinct study of David Shoup's career required reading. Skillfully blending biography and context, Professor Jablon illuminates core intersections of American diplomacy with economic factors and military power during the past seventy-five years. After rising from his 'Old China hand' interwar lieutenancy to overall command of his beloved Corps, Shoup, distressed by Vietnam, echoed anti-useless war positions expressed by other battle weary bestarred Marines, especially Generals Smedley Butler and Tony Zinni. -- Harold Hyman, Hobby Professor of History, Emeritus, Rice University
David Shoup received the Medal of Honor for his key role as architect and executioner of the assault plan for Tarawa Atoll in 1943. Howard Jablon captures the essence of this enigmatic Marine-a warrior who wrote poetry, disdained politics, and opposed the Vietnam War. -- Col. Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret.), author of Utmost Savagery: The Three Days of Tarawa
This biography, with its chronology of events, 1904-83, and handsome bibliography, would suit the general reader as a solid overview. -- Phyllis A. Zimmerman, Ball State University * Journal of Military History *
Howard Jablon has rescued David M. Shoup from historical obscurity and uses Shoup's service as a Marine officer from lieutenant to Commandant as a window on American foreign policy and wars. -- Allan R. Millett, Eisenhower Center for American Studies and The Ohio State University



Book Information
ISBN 9780742544871
Author Howard Jablon
Format Hardback
Page Count 168
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 363g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 168mm * 17mm