True Comics #44

General Walter Krueger's military journey spans decades—from his arrival as a German-born boy in America through service in Cuba, the Philippines, and World War I—but his greatest test comes in 1945 when he commands the Sixth Army under General MacArthur in a daring campaign to retake the Philippine islands from Japanese forces. Drawing on hard-won expertise and battlefield cunning, Krueger orchestrates a brilliant strategy that outwits enemy commanders and rapidly secures key positions, including Clark Field and Manila. This is the story of how a soldier's lifelong dedication to his craft culminates in triumph.

From farm boy to Missouri senator to the highest office in the land, this biographical account traces Harry S. Truman's journey to the presidency in 1945. Starting with his childhood love of military history and his service in World War I, the story follows his rise through local politics and his work heading a wartime committee investigating government waste—earning him the nickname "the Watchdog of the War Effort." When tragedy strikes the nation, Truman finds himself stepping into an extraordinary responsibility, calling on Americans to unite behind his new leadership during a critical moment in history.

Army soldiers undergo specialized training at a boat school in Gulfport, Mississippi, learning seamanship, swimming, and rescue techniques to become operators of the Army's air-sea rescue squadrons. Over a rigorous course spanning several weeks, these Army men transform into skilled sailors, mastering everything from basic boat handling to specialized rescue operations. When a B-17 bomber goes down at sea, their training is put to the test in a real-world rescue mission that proves the value of turning soldiers into sailors.

Lieutenant Maurice E. Wells faces a harrowing night in the Pacific when bad weather forces his five-plane formation to divert to an unfamiliar carrier, leaving him to circle for an hour as his fuel dwindles before finally landing safely in pitch darkness. But his relief turns to shock the next morning when he learns a devastating truth about the ship he was supposed to be aboard. Sometimes, Wells discovers, the worst storms bring the narrowest escapes of all.

Faced with the devastation of two world wars in a single generation, representatives from the great powers gather to propose a revolutionary solution: a United Nations organization with the power to enforce lasting peace through collective security and international cooperation. Drawing lessons from history—from ancient tribal alliances to the U.S. Constitution itself—the story charts how this new world body would settle disputes peacefully, protect human rights, and make a third world war impossible. Published in 1945 as the UN Charter was being finalized in San Francisco, "A Third World War Can Be Prevented Now!" presents an urgent case for global unity at a pivotal moment in history.

When the War Department established a new five-star rank in December 1944, General MacArthur and his aides at their advanced base faced an unexpected challenge—how to obtain the insignia in a combat zone. Their resourceful solution, cobbled together from donated silver coins and a native craftsman's skill, delivered the general his new stars by Christmas, a fitting tribute to the seven highest-ranking officers in the U.S. military.

American soldiers arriving at Bristol Bay, Alaska in 1942 to build an airport discover an invaluable ally in Emmy, a fifteen-year-old Eskimo girl whose knowledge of the harsh local terrain and resourcefulness become essential to their mission. From teaching the men to hunt caribou and make snowshoes to sourcing materials they desperately need, Emmy proves that kindness and practical wisdom matter as much as military might—even as her own history with Japanese raiders reveals a fierce patriotic spirit. This true story, adapted from *Reader's Digest*, captures how one young woman's generosity and courage helped American forces succeed in one of the war's most isolated and challenging outposts.

Magician Arnold Furst and his performing rabbit Oscar embark on a USO-Camp Shows tour in 1944, entertaining troops across Army camps, hospital planes, and ships heading to the South Pacific. When a single performance impresses a tribe of local workers, Oscar's magic act becomes instrumental in boosting morale and productivity—earning the rabbit an official military commission in the process.

Working as conductor at Prince Esterhazy's court in Austria, Franz Josef Haydn grows frustrated when his audiences doze through his performances—so he devises an ingenious musical trick to jolt them awake. This 1945 biography reveals the clever inspiration behind one of classical music's most famous works, the "Surprise Symphony."

Vernon Gomez earned his nickname "El Señor Goofy" through a combination of his Spanish surname and a flair for on-field antics, but behind the showmanship was one of baseball's finest pitchers—a lanky Yankees hurler who went from nearly washing out as a rookie in 1930 to winning 21 games the following season. The story follows Gomez's rise through the early 1930s, his dominance in the World Series, and his knack for unforgettable moments both on and off the field, capturing how a young pitcher's talent and personality made him unforgettable to fans.