Forewords / by 31st USMC Commandant, General Charles C. Krulak, 29th USMC Commandant, General Alfred M. Gray Jr. and USMC General Anthony Charles Zinni

Introduction: background on WWII and Woody Williams

A nation rises up-events before and at the beginning of war

Growing up in West Virginia

Outbreak of war

Joining the Marine Corps

Background on the Japanese military: brave soldiers and psychopathic rapists and killers

Deployment-New Caledonia

Guadalcanal

The Marianas

Japanese attack and occupation of Guam 1941-44

Battle for the Marianas: background and preparation

Amphibious warfare: the Marine Corps' forte

The attack at Saipan

Philippine Sea Battle: "The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot"

The attack at Saipan continues

The attack at Tinian

The liberation of Guam

"Banzai" attacks on Guam

Battle's end for Guam

Events leading to Iwo Jima

Iwo Jima landings begin

Woody's landing on Iwo

The pillboxes

The attack on Iwo continues

Battle on Iwo winds down

Justification for Iwo Jima

After Iwo Jima

Receiving the Medal of Honor

Observations about military awards and Woody's MOH

Life after the war

Appendix #1 (legal document of Rigg's motion to dismiss Woody's frivolous lawsuit).