Hunter Sniper

NOTE TO READERS

Thank you for once again choosing to follow the adventures of Deacon Cole and Patrol Easy in the Philippines. I didn’t plan to spend so much time in the Philippines but have found it fascinating with many stories to tell. I have enjoyed exploring the era and bringing to life what the troops went through, at least in some small way.

The inspiration comes in large part from reading the unit histories and memoirs of those involved. Several actual events and actions have been used here, although they have been fictionalized for the sake of the story.

Speaking of story, the armchair admirals and generals out there may notice that the date of the sea battle of Leyte Gulf does not quite mesh with some of the events on land. In reality, the sea battle took place earlier in the Leyte campaign, but it worked better for the book to include it later in the timeline.

My relative Tom O’Connell makes another appearance in the sea battle pages. I know that many of you had fathers, grandfathers, uncles and great uncles who served in WWII. We should not overlook the many mothers, grandmothers, aunts and great aunts who also served or who filled vital wartime roles on the homefront. Thanks to all those who have proudly shared their stories with me in emails and on Facebook.

Once again, I want to express my deep appreciation to the advance readers and editors who gave advice and corrected my errors. As noted in other books, the language and slang used by the soldiers has been included here to reflect that era.

Deke and the gang will be returning soon in another adventure, so back to the writing!

— DH