From collection Member List
Eugene Sledge was a United States Marine, author, and professor at Alabama College. Born on November 4, 1923, Sledge grew up in Mobile, Alabama. He enrolled in the Marion Military Institute in 1942 and soon after enlisted to serve in the Marines. He was assigned to K Company, Third Battalion, 5 Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. During World War II, Sledge earned the rank of corporal while fighting in the Battles of Peleliu and Okinawa.
After World War II, Sledge entered Auburn University, where he studied business administration and joined Alabama Beta Chapter. Sledge returned to Auburn in 1953 to complete his master’s degree in botany. Between 1955 and 1960, Sledge pursued his PhD in biology at the University of Florida, and in 1962, he started his 28-year career as a biology professor at Alabama College.
Sledge authored two books about his experiences fighting in World War II. His first book, With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, recounts his experiences fighting in those two battles. The book was later used as the basis for the HB mini-series The Pacific. Sledge’s second book, China Marine: An Infantryman's Life after World War II, details his experiences after the Battle of Okinawa and during the United States’ occupation of China's Hebei and Shandong provinces. Sledge also discusses the psychological effects of war and how they shaped his life as a civilian.
Eugene Sledge passed away on March 3, 2001.
After World War II, Sledge entered Auburn University, where he studied business administration and joined Alabama Beta Chapter. Sledge returned to Auburn in 1953 to complete his master’s degree in botany. Between 1955 and 1960, Sledge pursued his PhD in biology at the University of Florida, and in 1962, he started his 28-year career as a biology professor at Alabama College.
Sledge authored two books about his experiences fighting in World War II. His first book, With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, recounts his experiences fighting in those two battles. The book was later used as the basis for the HB mini-series The Pacific. Sledge’s second book, China Marine: An Infantryman's Life after World War II, details his experiences after the Battle of Okinawa and during the United States’ occupation of China's Hebei and Shandong provinces. Sledge also discusses the psychological effects of war and how they shaped his life as a civilian.
Eugene Sledge passed away on March 3, 2001.
