Walk Among Heroes is honored to welcome Mac McWilliams, Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, as our guest for episode two.  Mac grew up in West Texas and joined the Marine Corps at age seventeen.  Following Marine Corps training, he was assigned to the First Marine Division, joining them in the Pacific after the Guadalcanal Campaign.  Mac saw his first combat in New Gloucester as part of ‘Operation Cartwheel,’ codename for the campaigns in Eastern New Guinea and New Britain.  Next, Mac fought and was wounded in the Battle of Peleliu, which was the most intense combat he experienced.  Finally, Mac and his fellow Marines fought in the Battle of Okinawa (another brutal campaign), before the Japanese eventually surrendered.  

Years later, Mac wrote a book, ‘Never Too Old to Cry,’ by D.G. McWilliams.  The book follows 6 Marines, as they grow up together and fight through the war.  

Episode 2B focuses on Mac's combat in Peleliu and Okinawa, Mac's injury, losing one of his best friends, the end of the war, and finally his return home.  

During his World War II service, Mac was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and numerous other awards.  It is a true honor to welcome Mac as our guest for Walk Among Heroes, episode 2.

A special ‘thank you’ to sound engineer Shreyas Ganesh.