David Pearsall
Powered by Books.by
David Pearsall
A son's tribute to his Father and the Marine and Civilian DEFENDERS OF WAKE ISLAND
by David Pearsall
It was a heroic short battle, but a long time spent in hell!
This is a personal story written by the son of one of the Marine Defenders of Wake Island. It contains incredible images taken on Wake Island during the survivors' reunion trips back to Wake Island in 1985 and 88. First-hand descriptions of the actual battle and their time in POW camps in China and Japan. It also contains numerous historical documents, and letters from 3 Presidents,
For many years David had the dream to take his dad and the survivors of Wake Island back to where it all happened. His extensive knowledge of the travel industry assisted him in making this dream become a reality. This is his story, the story of his father and the Marine and Civilian Defenders of Wake Island. Now he decided to write this book for their progeny and generations yet to come, so that these heroic men shall never be forgotten.
“From Joshua Donohue - Son of Wake Island offers a fresh new perspective from several different aspects of the siege and includes never-before-seen images. In terms of Wake’s historiography, David’s book joins an elite list of well-rounded accounts of the events pertaining to Wake’s storied past. Their story is brought back to life within the pages of this insightful and compelling read. ”
Joshua Donohue
“From Liz - What an amazing story of courage and heroism! A real page-turner, and it is all true. It's a testament to the human spirit that these men not only survived the horrors of prison camp but went on to lead such full and beautiful lives. True American heroes! Should be mandatory reading for all high school students - what a lesson in history, patriotism, character and grit.”
Liz
A Time Traveler With a Pen
About the author David Pearsall is an author, historian, and lifelong traveler whose work is dedicated to preserving the stories of ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times. His first book, Son of Wake Island: A Son’s Tribute to His Father and the Marine and Civilian Defenders of Wake Island, tells the remarkable story of his father, a U.S. Marine who fought in the defense of Wake Island and spent nearly four years as a prisoner of war in Japanese camps. Inspired by his father's experiences, David organized two historic reunion trips back to Wake Island in 1985 and 1988 for Marine and civilian survivors and their families—journeys that deepened his commitment to honoring their legacy and preserving their stories for future generations. His second book, World War II – Honor and Remembrance, expands that mission through a powerful blend of historical narrative and personal accounts from veterans, survivors, liberators, and family members. Covering both the European and Pacific theaters, the book preserves firsthand memories of courage, sacrifice, loss, and resilience during history’s largest conflict. His newest work, Immigrants – The Story of America: A Book for Our Time, explores the diverse journeys that shaped the United States from its earliest beginnings to the present day. Combining historical research with personal stories, family histories, oral traditions, and immigrant voices from around the world, the book examines the hopes, hardships, sacrifices, and achievements of those who came to America seeking freedom, opportunity, and a better life. Written during the nation's 250th anniversary era, it is both a historical narrative and a tribute to the generations whose journeys helped build America. A graduate of the University of Minnesota–Duluth, David earned degrees in Political Science, History, and Geography. He spent nearly fifty years in the travel industry and has visited more than seventy-five countries, experiences that have given him a deep appreciation for different cultures, histories, and people. David and his wife, Carole, both natives of Minnesota, reside in Peoria, Arizona. Together they share a passion for history, travel, and preserving the stories that connect generations. Through his writing, David seeks to ensure that the voices of veterans, immigrants, survivors, and families are remembered, honored, and passed forward.
A Book For Our Time
Immigrants – The Story of America is a sweeping historical narrative tracing the movement of people to America from the earliest migrations to the present day. Through centuries of voluntary arrival and forced displacement, open gates and closed doors, David Pearsall reveals immigration as the defining thread in the American story.
Blending careful historical research with integrated first-person voices drawn from letters, diaries, and oral histories, this book explores Indigenous presence, the Middle Passage, Ellis Island, wartime suspicion, post-1965 reform, southern migration, and modern refugee resettlement. Written as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Immigrants offers historical clarity for a subject that remains central to American life.
This is not a book of policy prescriptions. It is a record of who we have been—and how we became who we are.
With Words and Stories from the Veterans-Survivors and their Families