A candid combat memoir recalls the battlefield exploits of a seventeen-year-old Marine Corps private, whose selfless actions at the height of the Battle of Iwo Jima not only saved his companions, but also led to him becoming the youngest Marine in history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Includes index.

1December 7, 1941 -- 9 -- 2 The Making of a Warrior -- 19 -- 3 Reflections -- 35 -- 4 Jack the Giant-Killer -- 43 -- 5 Yes, Colonel, I Am Only Fifteen -- 49 -- 6 Stowaway -- 63 -- 7 Red Beach Landing -- 81 -- 8 God, Please Save Me -- 101 -- 9 Torn and Shattered -- 113 -- 10 The Fightin'est Marine -- 127 -- 11 The Medal of Honor -- 137 -- 12 Fulfilling a Promise -- 145 -- 13 Captain Bam Bam -- 157 -- 14 The Ultimate Betrayal -- 167 -- 15 Rock Bottom -- 177 -- 16 Down but Not Out -- 185 -- 17 Winds of Change -- 195.