Indestructible, Jack H. Lucas
Indestructible, Jack H. Lucas
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Indestructible
The Unforgettable Memoir of a Marine Hero at the Battle of Iwo Jima

Author: Jack H. Lucas, D.K. Drum

Narrator: Lloyd James

Unabridged: 5 hr 21 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 01/07/2020


Synopsis

Medal of Honor recipient Jack H. Lucas’s classic memoir of his heroics at the Battle of Iwo Jima—with a foreword by Bob Dole and reissued to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the battle in 2020.

On February 20, 1945, the second day of the assault on Iwo Jima—one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific theater in World War II—Private Jack Lucas, who was only seventeen, and three other Marines engaged in a close-proximity firefight with Japanese soldiers. When two enemy grenades landed in their trench, Lucas jumped on one and pulled the other under his body to save the lives of his comrades. Lucas was blown into the air as his body was torn apart by 250 entrance wounds. He was so severely wounded that his team left him for dead. Miraculously, he survived.While on the hospital ship Samaritan, his spirit soared to see the American flag flying atop Mount Suribachi—the same flag immortalized in Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photograph, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. Lucas endured twenty-one grueling surgeries and carried 200 pieces of shrapnel in his body for the rest of his life. Awarded the Medal of Honor, he became the youngest Marine in U.S. history—and the youngest of all World War II servicemen—to receive the honor.Indestructible tells the remarkable story of an extraordinary American possessed with a fierce determination to serve his country.

About Jack H. Lucas

JACKLYN ""JACK"" HAROLD LUCAS enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 6, 1942, at the age of fourteen. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman on October 5, 1945. After graduating from college, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1961 and served four years in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was married to Ruby Lucas and they lived in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 80.

About D.K. Drum

Inspired by parents who were part of the ""greatest generation"" and a brother who received the Bronze Star in Vietnam and later succumbed to his wartime injury, D.K. DRUM collaborated with Jack Lucas to write Indestructible. She is married to thrice-decorated Vietnam veteran Tommy Drum. The price paid for freedom is an important lesson that has been forwarded on to their progeny: Jon, Laura, Isabel, Juliana, and Willa. May the torch burn brightly as it is passed to all future generations.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Terry on November 15, 2021

Wow--so much happened in this man's life. Youngest Medal of Honor recipient. Enlisted in the marines at fourteen. Stowed away on a ship sailing into the battle of Iwo Jima. Survives throwing himself on two live hand grenades. After WWII enlists in the US Army and survives a parachuting accident wher......more

Goodreads review by Bill on February 25, 2021

As a former Army officer, I am an avid reader of military history, especially first person narrative. I found Indestructible a disappointing experience. Mr. Lucas' actions on Iwo Jima were indeed heroic and deserving of The Medal. Beyond that there's not that much about this book I find noteworthy. T......more

Goodreads review by Richard on December 27, 2008

This is the story of the Youngest United States Marine, to receive the Medal of Honor, a true war hero at the Battle Of Iro Jima. This book is a page turner, and it held my interest for an afternoon, as I read its 205 pages. I am a Vietnam Veteran - United States Marine, so I may have found this book......more

Goodreads review by Jim on February 17, 2015

An interesting tale of a very young man determined to serve his country in the Marines and fight the Japanese during WWII. Not the best written memoir and it could have used a tighter hand in avoiding repetition and excessive "patriotism", but it was still a good look at events during this period an......more

Goodreads review by Erica on February 22, 2023

As you know, I don't typically rate nonfiction, but I really enjoyed this one. I loved reading from his perspective. He went through so much and yet still managed to keep going. Favorite Quotes & Passages: In addition, my pride in the Corps had more deeply rooted itself in my heart and I knew it woul......more