The author of a new book by Michael B. Butler, following a serial killer biography and aviation adventure books, was helped in this one by Pat Murphy, who had an extra pass for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day ceremony at Omaha Beach. Murphy flew over 60 missions in a P-47 Fighter-Bomber for the 368th Fighter Group, 397th Squadron, from late May to October 21, 1944, when he was shot down and taken prison by the German Army.
One chapter was created about Pat Murphy, using use post-war journals and materials from the 368th FG website, in the final section of the just released History Leading to 50th Anniversary of Day, Book 2: My Journey Thru World & Family History Landed at Omaha Beach, 6/6/94.
When Butler met Murphy, on the morning of June 6, 1994 in Cherbourg, he was about to head back to England after failing to secure a pass to the ceremony. Through a series of bizarre coincidences, after arriving in France the night before, Michael Butler beat the odds and made it to the big commemorative ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery. Section Six—the final 160 pages of the book—is dedicated to Butler's 50th D-Day trip, on June 4-5-6, 1994, and the history surrounding that Day of Days.
Here the book trailer video about Pat Murphy and the outfit he served with:
Pat Murphy, P-47 Fighter Pilot Squadron on D-Day
with 397th Fighter Squadron, and Book Trailer Around 50th D-Day
This is the first in a two-set of history books created because of his excursions to the 50th Anniversaries of Pearl Harbor and D-Day. Over 100 of the best historians are cited within a book that hits all the bases—from the Atlantic Sea War to the Russian Land War, from the invasion of Normandy to the long North African Campaign.
This is the first in a two-set of history books created because of his excursions to the 50th Anniversaries of Pearl Harbor and D-Day. Over 100 of the best historians are cited within a book that hits all the bases—from the Atlantic Sea War to the Russian Land War, from the invasion of Normandy to the long North African Campaign.
Dedicated to 15 military/combat veterans in his family, from the Civil to Korean War, Book 2 centers on the European War and centuries before while Book 1 deals with the Pacific War and the fascinating history of that vast region. Each book ends with stories of his last minute excursions to each of the 50th Anniversaries and what he experienced during those major commemorations.
Pearl Harbor and D-Day, for the United States, represents the beginning and the beginning of the end of World War II, and thus these bookend 50th Anniversaries allowed Michael B. Butler to explore far and wide in his quest to encase them, as the book titles suggest, in relevant World & Family History. Each yielded a wealth of interesting experiences and set the foundation for this book series, which was originally going to be a single volume but was split up and expanded decades later.
B-17 Pilot Uncle Roy Larson, 8th Air Force, & Book Trailer
for History Book Around 50th D-Day & Family
Great Uncle Henry Olivas, 5th Armored Division, & Book Trailer
on Book Around 50th D-Day & Family
Wanting to showcase the great historians who populate his own library, Butler sought to include history going back 500 years while remaining largely focused on World War II and those who participated in that world changing conflagration. His family includes combat Veterans that span nearly every aspect of the World War II; from bomber pilots to infantrymen, from Pearl Harbor Survivors to U.S. Navy sailors to armored and infantry soldiers to a communication specialist and a railroad technician.
Direct testimony from Combat Veterans is deployed to try and explain what is totally unexplainable, for unless one has been there it is impossible to understand. Five chapters were created to highlight the outfits and experiences of family members and one person who helped Michael Butler attend the 50th Anniversary of D-Day—WWII 8th Air Force Veteran P-47 fighter-bomber pilot Pat Murphy. Obscure materials, some published right after the conflicts, were mined for use in creating these multi-faceted chapters.
1941 German Invasion of Russia from Poland & Book Trailer
on Book Around 50th D-Day & Family
1941 German Invasion of Russia to Stalingrad & Book Trailer
on Book Centered Around 50th D-Day & Family
300 images all of kinds populate the text; from maps to drawings to diagrams, from historical photographs to book covers, from combat photos to thumbnail portraits of those lost during various points in divisional and regimental histories. This gives the book wider scope by paying tribute those whose service and sacrifice should be recognized again and again.
History Leading to 50th Anniversary of D-Day, Book 2 available at Amazon in pre-order in Kindle (B0F4GH8679)
www.50thDDay.com
Michael B. Butler's second book, released in 2022, is Without Redemption: Creation & Deeds Freeway Killer Bill Bonin, His Five Accomplices & How One Who Escaped Justice. In 2024-26 three books are slated for release: Round the World & Across Russia in 21 Days, 30 Years Later and the two-book history set dedicated to 15 wartime military veterans, many who saw combat, from his family—History Leading to 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Book 1 and History Leading to 50th Anniversary of D-Day, Book 2.