Lieutenant Ramsey's War (P)

by Stephen J. Rivele and Edwin Price Ramsey

Book Overview

After the fall of the Philippines in 1942 - and after leading the last horse cavalry charge in U.S. history - Ed Ramsey refused to surrender. Instead, he joined the Filipino resistance and rose to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1574880527
• ISBN13: 9781574880526
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Potomac Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A riveting story of life on the run.

This book describes what barely can be described. The hardships, the fear, the exhaustion, the hunger, the brutality, the uncertainty of ones fate. It's all right here, and all are apt descriptions of the life of Lt. Ramsey from the fall of Bataan until the time in 1945 that Gen MacArthur returned to liberate the Phillipines.Lt. Ramsey (who was promotoed to Lt. Colonel over the course of his service in the jungle) was a very important leader of the resistance. He personally exchanged a few messages over the radio with MacArthur himself, and it was years before Ramsey even knew that MacArthur was getting his messages, as he went without radio contact for the first two years of the war.Many of Ramsey's fellow resistance leaders, some of them officers he served with, or under, prior to the war, were captured, tortured, and beheaded. Informants were everywhere, and every move was a risk. Yet Ramsey never sat still, and his years were spent traveling, at great risk, throughout the Phillipines and organizing the resistance. Many close calls with the Kempa-tei, the Japanese secret police, followed. Ramsey eventually became the most wanted man on the island, after many of his fellow leaders were captured. He eventually went on to command a force of 40,000 resistance fighters.The leader of the Kempa-tei, General Baba, personally conducted many of the raids and had a picture of Ramsey on his desk. Many times Ramsey was only yards from Japanese troops. Of course, when this all started, Ramsey had no clue how to wage guerrilla war. But he learned, through trial and error, and it is amazing that he even survived the war. If that isn't enough, this is a man who survived having his appendix removed in the jungle by a doctor who had no morphine to numb the pain! This is the kind of stuff Hollywood needs to make movies about. Instead we are stuck with the same dumbed down, recycled nonsense that apparently someone finds entertaining. And sadly the exploits of this true American hero go largely unknown by the majority of this country. I'm glad I am no longer one of them.

Amazing book from a true American hero

This book is quite compelling, from Japanese atrocities during the Bataan death march to MacArthur's triumphant return, told through the experiences of Ramsey, who eluded capture during the Japanese occupation. A thrilling book to read. I felt like he left a couple of loose ends concerning some of the people in the book, but this doesn't really detract too much. Tremendous book, to be savored and experienced...not rushed through.

ALL prior biographies pale by comparison! Simply incredible!

When writing of Edwin Ramsey one can only use the word HERO in all cap's. The pride one feels when reading of Ramsey leading the last cavalry charge in American military action contrasts with the disbelief that he was not given greater public adulation after the war. Ramsey was able to outfox the enemy behind and around the lines for four years. His incredible work in the Phillipines surely contributed to MacArthur's ability to "return." Personally, when I begin to stress over my daily concerns, career and money, I recall Edwin Ramsey, and my problems seem puny. Read the book!

An incredible true story of heriosm, loyalty and courage.

This is one of the most inspiraional books that I have ever read. Well written with an attention to detail. I felt as if I was in the jungle reliving the events as they occured. After reading Lieutenant Ramsey's War I was reminded of the immense sacrifice many gave to the war effort. This book stands out as an example of true heroism and the spirt of freedom which refused to surrender to tyranny.

Remarkable and inspiring

Why this man was not awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor I'll never know. This book is a wonderful example of an American solider who personifies the attribute of selfless service.