Author John V.O. Kennard releases historical book marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day
SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., Jan. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Anticipating broad interest in the 75th anniversary of D-day June 6, 2019, Koehler Books, Virginia Beach VA publishes D-Day Journal – The Untold Story of a US Ranger on Omaha Beach by John V.O. Kennard
“I wish everyone back in the States could see an American boy lying cold on the beach of France, struck down in full stride as he charged forward . . . I hope the story of what the boys did is told.”
On the morning of June 6, 1944, twenty-two-year-old Lieutenant Frank L. Kennard led his Ranger cannon platoon onto Omaha Beach, losing his equipment and half his men. Kennard and his seven remaining men went on to overcome enormous odds to achieve their objective at Pointe du Hoc. One month later, Kennard became the battalion adjutant and served in that role through every battle until the end of the war. Lieutenant Kennard’s journal of the legendary 2nd Ranger Battalion in World War II is the first record of vivid wartime experiences written by a Ranger with Kennard’s perspective. D-Day Journal also includes rare oral histories of four other members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, the first American unit to achieve its mission on D-Day: to take out the big German guns overlooking Normandy beaches.
KEY POINTS
- Commemorates the 75th anniversary of D-Day
- Previously untold story of heroism on bloody Omaha Beach
- Previously unpublished stories about the 2nd Ranger Battalion from D-Day to the end of WW2
- No other known contemporaneous record of Normandy invasion written by a Ranger with Lt. Kennard’s breadth of perspective
PRAISE FORÂ D-DAY JOURNAL
“It is a great read. You won’t be able to put it down. Very simply … it is a terrific book on one of the most critical moments in our Country’s history.”
C. Roland (Rollie) Stichweh, West Point graduate; twice Most Valuable Player in the Army-Navy game; Decorated Combat Veteran
“Rare insights into one of the most famous fighting formations in our history…the US Army Rangers…we get the candid views of a combat soldier… The story should be told and retold lest we forget, thus causing our children and grandchildren to re-learn .”
General Peter J. Schoomaker, USA Ret. 35th Chief of Staff, United States Army
“A vivid firsthand account of American Ranger actions in the invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944…a story of battle, hardship, valor and victory.”
Col. Robert W. Black, author “The Battalion”, “The Ranger Force” and “Rangers in World War II”
“Just when readers think they have seen the last of authentic first-hand accounts about the D-Day assault on Omaha Beach, along comes a new book based on previously unpublished letters written by a soldier who was there.”
Thomas M. Hatfield, Ph.D. author “Rudder: From Leader to Legend”, Texas A&M University 2011
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Website:Â www.ddayjournal.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John V.O. Kennard is the son of 2nd Ranger Battalion Lt. Frank L. Kennard. Commissioned a Lieutenant in the US Army Armor Corps, he rose to Captain and went to Vietnam in 1970 where he was a Special Security Officer (SSO) working for five General Officers managing their backchannel messages also known as “Eyes Only” messages. Kennard earned two degrees from the University of Virginia.
Kennard is retired from Brown-Forman Corporation where he was Senior Vice President and global brand director for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. Kennard has been Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Owen School of Business at Vanderbilt University and Distinguished Executive in Residence at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. He has co-authored case studies and contributed to a leading marketing textbook. Kennard lives on Amelia Island, FL and in Southern Pines, NC with his wife, Linda.
SOURCE D-Day Journal
