“The heroes of the title are the men and women of military medical support units who served in five instances where American forces were under siege: Bataan, Anzio, Bastogne, Chosin, and Khe Sanh. The individuals described here demonstrated incredible courage, skill, and perseverance through their effort to aid the wounded, when hope and supplies were almost non-existent. Although ignored by many combat histories, they endured the same terrible conditions, deprivations, and enemy fire that the fighting men did, suffering many casualties along the way. A much-needed companion to the many works focused exclusively on combat history. Highly recommended.”—Choice
“A ground-breaking account of American military medicine. Helling is to be commended for writing this major contribution to the literature of military medicine.”—Journal of America’s Military Past
“Helling weaves a riveting and harrowing narrative of the sacrifice, courage, and indomitable spirit residing in the men and women fighting to save the lives of those entrusted to their care. Kudos to Helling for this diligently researched and often emotionally compelling narrative that chronicles the best of the human spirit operating under the worst of circumstances.”—Col. (ret.) Christopher Gruber, Medical Service Corps
“A story of fear, pain, horror, despair, and death, but also a story of compassion, hope, courage, resilience, and fortitude, shared equally by both combat and medical U.S. military personnel.”—Army History
“A history of combat medicine unlike any other, Agony of Heroes is an epic journey through the experiences of military medicine’s finest during the most extreme conditions of warfare.”—André B. Sobocinski, Historian, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, USN
“Helling weaves a riveting and harrowing narrative of the sacrifice, courage, and indomitable spirit residing in the men and women fighting to save the lives of those entrusted to their care. Kudos to Helling for this diligently researched and often emotionally compelling narrative that chronicles the best of the human spirit operating under the worst of circumstances.”—Col. (ret.) Christopher Gruber, Medical Service Corps
“A history of combat medicine unlike any other, Agony of Heroes is an epic journey through the experiences of military medicine’s finest during the most extreme conditions of warfare. Without the heroic and selfless endeavors of Dr. Helling’s frontline protagonists, there is no doubt that the terrible toll of war would have been far, far greater.”—André B. Sobocinski, Historian, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, U.S. Navy