Wonderful B-17 Story with Gary Sinise

"Uncle Jack"

Niles resident and Veterans History Project Participant, Martin O'Grady, commends this 16 minute tribute and writes:

"The story and videography are inspiring...as we approach Memorial Day, let's remember these WWII vets in our prayers...were it not for them, none of us would have the wonderful lives we have today. As you may know, Gary Sinise is a Chicago-area boy and very supportive of U.S. veterans."

Charles Matz and the Honor Flight

The US Marine and Niles Resident made his Honor Flight on May 11. His granddaughter Carol wrote: "I was fortunate enough to be able to go with him and we had a jam-packed day touring D.C. including the WWII Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial and the Air and Space Museum. He was just amazed throughout the entire day with the outpouring of support from complete strangers just wanting to shake his hand and tell him 'thank you for your service.' It was fantastic to witness!"


He kept telling me, “I knew this was going to be good, but I never expected anything like this!”

A Gunnery Sergeant who saw much combat, Mr Matz is a participant in the Veterans History Project at the Niles Public Library.

Annual May Remembering Our Veterans Display

The military artifacts on display in the east and west exhibit cases have been loaned for exhibit during May.

The exhibit coordinator is Al Aronson, a World War II Army veteran of the ‘Bloody Bucket” Keystone Division in Europe and a participant in the Veterans History Project* at Niles. The VHP interview transcripts have been posted on the library’s website and are available in the Reference Department for reading.

VHP participants Gus Habighurst* (WWII-CBI), Niels Larsen(Korean War)*, Jerry Levin*(WWII-Pacific), and Matthew Wojtaszek (WWII-Europe)* as well as Mike McNulty (Viet Nam), Ralph Ponfil (Korean War), and Chris Reuscher have all loaned items for this year’s exhibit which for the first time takes up two windows and includes items from the Viet Nam War.

Niles Public Library District - Book Sentry

Book Sentry

Spot the interesting new books on military history, particularly those providing context for the library's Veterans History Project.

If you see a book that looks good, click on "Check Our Catalog" and place a hold. We will let you know when it comes for you!

Kamikaze Attacks of World War II: A Complete History of Japanese Suicide Strikes on American Ships, by Aircraft and Other Means By Rielly, Robin L.
2010-08 - McFarland & Company
0786446544 Check Our Catalog
Drawing on U.S. government reports, interrogation reports of Japanese officers, ship action reports and secondary sources, this book details more than 400 kamikaze attacks performed by Japanese aircraft, manned torpedoes, suicide boats and suicide swimmers against U.S. ships during World War II. Part One focuses on the traditions, development and history of the kamikazes, including the origins of the samurai class and its ethos, the development of kamikaze aircraft and watercraft, and the indoctrination of children in the Japanese school system. Part Two details the kamikaze attacks on ships in the waters around the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Taiwan, Okinawa and Japan. Appendices list all of the U.S. ships suffering kamikaze attacks along with casualty figures, outlines and silhouettes of various U.S. ships involved in kamikaze attacks, and silhouettes of Japanese kamikaze aircraft. …More

Perilous Fight: America's Intrepid War with Britain on the High Seas, 1812-1815
By Budiansky, Stephen
2011-01 - Knopf Publishing Group
0307270696 Check Our Catalog
Budiansky relates the rousing story of a scrappy band of seamen and a visionary secretary of the navy who defeated the legendary British Royal Navy that had dominated the seas for more than two centuries. …More

The Most Dangerous Enemy: An Illustrated History of the Battle of Britain
By Bungay, Stephen
2010-07 - Zenith Press
0760339368 Check Our Catalog
Following its original publication in narrative form in ten years ago Stephen Bungay's "The Most Dangerous Enemy" has been acclaimed as the definitive history of the Battle of Britain, a book whose authority and comprehensiveness far exceeded all previous accounts. To commemorate 70th Anniversary of the Battle this classic work has been reconceived in a large-format, fully illustrated version. With over 150 photographs, maps, and diagrams, a lively design, and numerous sidebar features, the book brings the story to life in a new and exciting way. Archival photographs of the planes, pilots, and key military leaders, many of which have never been published, are accompanied by fascinating three-dimensional diagrams illustrating dogfights and battle tactics on both sides. This new edition of "The Most Dangerous Enemy" is a fitting way to mark the Battle of Britain's anniversary and will bring this most remarkable of stories to a whole new group of readers. …More

Wild Bill Donovan: The Spymaster Who Created the OSS and Modern American Espionage By Waller, Douglas
2011-02 - Free Press
1416567445 Check Our Catalog
An exhaustive but never dull account of the founder of America's original intelligence agency, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). …More

Battleground Prussia: The Assault on Germany's Eastern Front 1944-45 By Buttar, Prit
2010-09 - Osprey Publishing (UK)
1849081905 Check Our Catalog
The terrible months between the arrival of the Red Army on German soil and the final collapse of Hitler's regime were like no other in the Second World War. The Soviet Army's intent to take revenge for the horror that the Nazis had wreaked on their people produced a conflict of implacable brutality in which millions perished.
From the great battles that marked the Soviet conquest of East and West Prussia to the final surrender in the Vistula estuary, this handsome volume from Osprey recounts in chilling detail the desperate struggle of soldiers and civilians alike. These brutal campaigns are brought vividly to life by a combination of previously unseen testimony and astute strategic analysis recognizing a conflict of unprecedented horror and suffering. Author Prit Buttar spins a mesmerizing tale accompanied by rare photographs and informative maps. …More

Hellcats: The Epic Story of World War II's Most Daring Submarine Raid
By Sasgen, Peter
2010-11 - New American Library
0451231368 Check Our Catalog
Drawing on original documents and the personal letters of one brave commander, Sasgen crafts a classic naval tale of the heroic submariners and one of World War II's most ambitious and dangerous missions. …More

George Washington's America: A Biography Through His Maps By Schecter, Barnet
2010-11 - Walker & Company
0802717489 Check Our Catalog
Inspired by the remarkable maps George Washington drew and purchased, historian Schecter has crafted a unique portrait of the first Founding Father, placing the reader at the scenes of his early career as a surveyor, and his dramatic exploits in the French and Indian War through his shaping of the new republic. …More

With Fire and Sword By Nelson, James L.
2011-03 - Thomas Dunne Books
0312576447 Check Our Catalog
If Lexington and Concord was the shot heard around the world, then Bunker Hill was the volley that rocked Parliament and the ministry of George III. "With Fire and Sword" reveals the dramatic

Jerry C. Levin Interview

Illinois Announces "Reflections on a Veteran" Contest

"Secretary of State Jesse White is encouraging students in grades 6-11 to
take part in an essay competition honoring U.S. veterans, past and present.
“The ‘Reflections on a Veteran’ contest will help cultivate a deeper
understanding and appreciation of history and the sacrifices made by all
veterans, their families and communities,” said Secretary White.
After interviewing a U.S. Veteran for a class project, participants will
document in writing the most moving part of their interview. Students
will then write an essay about how the interview affected them.
There are two levels of competition: Level I – grades 6-8 and Level II –
grades 9-11. One winner and one runner-up for each level will be
selected. Winners will receive a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and runnersup
will receive a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. Winners also will read their
essays and receive a certificate at the September 2011 Constitution
Day Ceremony in Chicago, hosted by Secretary White.
The deadline to submit essays is May 16, 2011. Winners will be notified
in August. For more information, visit illinoiscenterforthebook.org,
or contact Bonnie Matheis at 217-558-2065 or bmatheis@ilsos.net.
The “Reflections on a Veteran” contest is sponsored by the Illinois State
Board of Education, Area 5 Learning Technology Center, Illinois World
War II Memorial Board Classroom Project; Secretary of State Jesse
White, Illinois Veterans’ History Project; and the Illinois State Library,
Illinois Center for the Book."

Interested students and teachers can contact the Veterans History Project Team at the Niles Public Library for assistance in conducting or arranging an interview with a veteran by calling 847-663-6425 or via email at noshea@nileslibrary.org.

Martha Barsky Interview

Then Martha Kleczewski, Mrs. Barsky joined the WAVES during World War II after she and Mr. Barsky became engaged. She and Mr. Barsky are the second couple to interview for the Veterans History Project Collection at the Niles Public Library. Bill and Martha Shipp had done so previously. Mrs. Barsky's interview is now available for reading at the library and her transcript and audio recording will soon be available via the library's site at nileslibrary.org.