Publishers Weekly
04/22/2019
In this gripping memoir, the now-98-year-old Staff Sgt. Lambert, a U.S. army medic who was awarded Silver and Bronze Star medals and Purple Hearts, recounts his prewar life and his experiences at Omaha Beach, “the bloodiest of all the places the Allies landed on D-Day.” After a brief introduction to that battle, the story rewinds to Lambert’s upbringing on an Alabama farm during the Great Depression, his and his brother’s 1939 enlistment in the army, and being shipped off to England in 1942. A treasure trove of details about WWII military life follows: how the army and its battalions were organized, how medics were trained and how they handled malaria and trench foot, and how the soldiers reacted to encountering members of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Lambert was in Tunisia as Operation Vulcan unfolded in April 1943, in Sicily for Operation Husky that July, and in the Normandy landing on D-Day, where his back was broken saving soldiers. This tale is further enriched by descriptions of life on the home front (ration books, price controls, Victory Gardens). Told with both dramatic immediacy and charming folksy flourishes (“I like to tell people I’m older than Noah and the Flood, but that’s not true”), this excellent memoir stands out among this year’s crop of D-Day books. (May)
From the Publisher
Lambert landed on [Omaha Beach] as a 23-year-old Army medic with his brother Bill. Only seven of the 31 soldiers on Mr. Lambert’s landing craft survived. As the bullets cut down his comrades, he raced repeatedly back into the sea to drag out wounded soldiers.” — New York Times
“[Lambert] was able to save well more than a dozen lives thanks to his bravery, skill and presence of mind. . . . The responsibility he felt for those men on Omaha Beach 75 years ago has never left Ray Lambert, and it never will.” — Smithsonian
“Lambert is nothing short of miraculous. … Reading Lambert’s account is like sitting at your grandfather’s feet and hearing some of the best tales you’ll ever know. All Americans owe Lambert gratitude for his service and sacrifice, and for sharing his memories.” — Booklist, STARRED review
“Gripping. … This excellent memoir stands out. … A treasure trove of details about WWII.” — Publishers Weekly
“At 98, Lambert, who earned a Silver Star and multiple Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts, is still around to tell his story. Readers will be grateful. … Lambert’s narrative flows smoothly throughout, clearly showing the author’s heroism.” — Kirkus Reviews
Smithsonian
[Lambert] was able to save well more than a dozen lives thanks to his bravery, skill and presence of mind. . . . The responsibility he felt for those men on Omaha Beach 75 years ago has never left Ray Lambert, and it never will.
New York Times
Lambert landed on [Omaha Beach] as a 23-year-old Army medic with his brother Bill. Only seven of the 31 soldiers on Mr. Lambert’s landing craft survived. As the bullets cut down his comrades, he raced repeatedly back into the sea to drag out wounded soldiers.
STARRED review Booklist
Lambert is nothing short of miraculous. … Reading Lambert’s account is like sitting at your grandfather’s feet and hearing some of the best tales you’ll ever know. All Americans owe Lambert gratitude for his service and sacrifice, and for sharing his memories.
