"Last Roll Call" - One of the Last Memoirs of WWII

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What Individuals are saying about Last Roll Call

 

I was honored to meet you at the seafood festival this morning. I have read literally hundreds of WWII books and I can truthfully say that I have never enjoyed a story better than yours. I did not put your book down after I opened the cover. Thank you for the book, and thank you for your servide. Your generation built the America we all love today.

Steve Jemison

 

Just finished your book. Very interesting and excellently written. I'm only sorry it was a year late. My neighbor was a belly gunner on a B-24 flying out of Italy; I'm sure he would have been able to relive every word.

John Vivlamore

 

My father was a co-pilot of a B-17 in WWII. He wanted me to pass on that he has read many MANY books on B-17 memoirs, history etc. - and has found YOUR book to be the most vivid and accurate he's ever read!! (My father doesn't often pass on compliments either!) On a side note: He didn't want to finish the book...when he neared the end of it, he kept putting it aside and reading only a page or two because he didn't want to complete it. Funny. And NOW....he just started reading it all over again!!! He absolutely loves it!!!! By far the best he's ever read, he says!!! Thanks for all your efforts. Great job!

Janet Mueller

Naples, FL


 

I thoroughly enjoyed your book!! Happy to see you included several photos which I found very interesting. I would suggest you send a copy to Tom Brokaw.
Jerry Wallace
Mexico Beach, FL
 
I just finished your book and I enjoyed every page. I have never read a first hand account of the experiences of a B-17 crew. Thank you and your daughter for a great collaborative effort on "Last Roll Call." I will recommend it to my family and friends.
Mark Osborne 
 
Wanda, Just a note to tell you how much I am enjoying the book. It seems to be so well written; it is just like your Dad is sitting there telling me the story!
Keith Colvin
Retired Scientist
Lynn Haven, FL
 
Ken, I started reading your book and couldn't put it down. I stayed up until after midnight to finish it. The way you communicated to the readers was wonderful. I enjoyed the very personal account of the inner feelings of a young man, still in his teens, who felt the need to serve his country with love and dedication. Your description of the lonliness you felt while so far away from home and family truly touched my heart. It was a great read.
Faye George
Wife of Retired AF Veteran
Camden, Arkensas
 
It was a pleasure to meet you at the Seafood Festival and to purchase "Last Roll Call." I have since read the book and enjoyed it thoroughly. As a Viet Nam War veteran from a small town, I could relate to many of the military experiences you described, however nothing could compare with the B-17 experiences. Thank you once again for your service and for taking the time to share your memories. You truly are a member of "The Greatest Generation."
Bob Heide
St. George Island, FL
 
Thank you Mr. Tucker for your willing and faithful service that greatly contributed to victory over such evil enemies to freedom. I thank both of you for taking the time and effort necessary to write "Last Roll Call." I just finished reading the book and could hardly put it down. The story, as well as the quality of writing, made me anxiously read at every opportunity available. The book that I read was borrowed and I would like to know your book price so I might order my own personal copy.
Tommie Stanaland
 
I absolutely loved the book and enjoyed reading it. You two have done an excellent job. I did not want to put the book down and I didn't want it to end. I grew to love this fine young man as someone to admire and respect. In fact, I enjoyed the book so much, I'm going to read it again.
Joel Lowenberger
Retired Teacher
Panama City, FL
 
Mr. Tucker, How can I obtain another copy of your book? I mailed the one that I bought at your book release party at the library to my cousin as I thought she would enjoy it and would gain insight into what her uncle went through when he was lost over Germany in WWII. Well, she enjoyed it so much she wants to keep the book and has suggested that I get my own copy because it is a "must read."
William Doerrer
 
Wanda, WOW! I am soooooo impressed with my friend the author. You and your dad have every right to be very proud. The book was awesome. I started reading the night I got home from the book signing. Life interfered and I had to put it down for a couple of days, but I finished over the weekend. I truly enjoyed it and recognize the effort that went into it. Do you have the writing bug now? Can we expect that work of fiction soon? I'll be first in line to buy it! 
Patsy Foster
Reading Teacher
Panama City, FL
 
 

 
Review Posted at Army Air Forces of World War II Forum
 
 
 
 Last Roll Call, the Adventure of a B-17 Tailgunner
 by Kenneth S. Tucker and Wanda Tucker Goodwin. 
  
Mr. Tucker was a B-17 tail gunner in the 97th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.  He flew his 35th mission shortly before the end of the war...and shortly before his 20th birthday.  
  
He and his daughter Wanda Tucker Goodwin have written an account of his service beginning with the Pearl Harbor attack when Ken was still in school, through his training and his experiences flying out of Amendola, Italy. 
  
Mr. Tucker does not dwell on the details of the training or combat.  Knowledgeable AAF enthusiasts will not find much that is new to them.  However, those who are new to the study of the U.S. contributions the air war in Europe will be delighted. 
  
The writing style is wonderful.  The book reads as if Mr. Tucker were sitting across the room telling the reader about his experiences.  He is very modest in his approach but reading between the lines it is clear that this was no picnic. 
  
The book reads fast and left me very satisfied.  I also had great admiration for Mr. Tucker and those thousands of men who flew with him.  
  
The book is self published and not available in bookstores or online such as Amazon.  Ordering information as well as info about Mr. Tucker, the book, photos and history can be found at:    
  
Enjoy.
 
Hugh
 
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 E-mails from the great niece of Halsey Nisula the Navigator
 and only crew member who did not return:
 
 
 Dear Ken,
      I just 5 minutes ago stumbled upon your website for your new book Last Roll Call.  I am overjoyed and can't wait to order it!   I have in my possession a few of the very same photographs that you have on your website and I assume in your book.  It is nice to be able to place a name to at least one other of the faces on the photos.  My grandfather's younger brother was Halsey Nisula.  I believe that he was your navigator??  Halsey had no descendants and I have long been interested in learning more about him.  Did you know him well?  My grandfather Richard was also serving in WWII and was lucky enough to see Halsey one time overseas before Halsey was taken as a POW.  I know that Halsey meant a great deal to him and his memory means a great deal to us.
      Well, I just wanted to express my surprise and my delight at seeing the pictures.  Thank you for writing your story to share with us.  Thank you for your service for our country and I can't wait to buy your book!
Sincerely,
Mandy Nisula Ostaszewski
Feb. 12, 2010 
 
 
Dear Ken and Wanda,
       I finished Last Roll Call.  It was so wonderful to read! Wanda, the book is beautifully written.   Ken, I cried at the end of the book when you met your family during your 30 day leave.  And I laughed out loud and called my parents to read the part about Halsey's 'incident' with the map box!  It was just really nice to read about the men that Halsey spent the War with and to read about what it is that they went through.  And it was interesting to know what Halsey's duties were during missions. 
       One thing that I found really interesting is that you were told that Halsey died during an escape attempt.  My great-grandmother, after requesting more information from the War department later learned that another serviceman had witnessed Halsey's death at camp Mauthausen.  He reported to the government that on April 12, 1945- Halsey and another soldier were shot by the prison guards in celebration of President Roosevelt's death.  So senseless...
       Again, thank you so much for sharing your memories with us.  Like I said, Halsey has always been a hero of mine.  My parents have the purple heart that he was posthumously awarded and many of his pictures and letters that he had sent home.  His body was never recovered but there is a memorial plaque in the Nisula family plot where my great-grandparents and my grandfather are buried.  I grew up visiting that plot and seeing the flag placed on his marker every memorial day.  I feel like I know him a little better now.  And it makes me happy to know that he was the kind of guy that I had always thought he was, very much like my own grandfather.
       So thank you, thank you.  Tomorrow I pass the book on to one of my sisters to read, and she had better read fast because one of my brothers wants it immediately after that!
Thank you,
Mandy
Feb. 26, 2010
 
 
Dear Mr. Tucker,

Hello, my name is Meagan Nisula Valentine.  I am one of the three great-nieces of Halsey Nisula.  I have just finished reading your memoir, and I wanted to thank you.  I was moved to tears by your story.  My whole life my family has spoken so highly of the mysterious great uncle Halsey.  It feels so good to know that the pride we have always felt about him is justified.  Your book helped me connect to him, and in a way it helped me connect to my grandfather, his brother.  When I see pictures of Halsey, I see my grandfather in him.  My grandpa never talked about the war, but I have always wondered what his life must have been like as a soldier.  Your story has brought me closer to him.  The words you used to describe Halsey could be used to describe my grandfather, my father, and my brothers.They are all so much alike.  I am filled with pride for a man who I never knew, but who's blood runs through my veins.  And I am so happy that I will be able to share with my future children the legacy of a hero in our family.  Thank you, Mr. Tucker, for writing it all down.

Sincerely,
Meagan Valentine
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