Ohio Civil War Genealogy Journal Review by Dan Reigle
This reference book is not intended for "straight-through" reading, although my experience suggests that if you start leafing through it, you will find yourself reading it in spite of yourself. Author Linda Swink's prodigious research has produced a work of interest to anyone who has ever served in the U. S. military, or to anyone whose family history research includes veterans of the U. S. military. I quickly located installations that were "stops" in my 5-year military service (Riley, Knox. Wolters, Rucker, Lewis), and to my surprise, even the small Armstrong Barracks in Budingen, Germany. For genealogical research, I was also able to locate installations at which my wife's late father, a B-17 pilot in World War II, trained or flew (McDill, Gowen, Barksdale, Biggs).
For OCWGJ readers, I thought the most useful way to highlight the value of this book would be to extract the names and namesakes of those installations that honor men with Civil War service. Of the 524 installations included, 46 of the men had Civil War service, nine of whom were born in Ohio. For some of them, the Civil War came at the end or at the beginning of a long military career, some spanning more than 50 years, For others, the Civil War was the end of their life. The biographical sketches in the book offer insights into the structure of the American military establishment before, during, and after the war. Given the significant number of Confederate officers in the list, it also offers insight into the politics of reconciliation, and the close involvement of Southern Democrats in Congress with the defense establishment and budget during the first half of the 20th Century.
"History surrounds us everyday, though many of us go about our business with no real understanding of history's real impact on our lives. "IN Their Honor" is a reminder of the significance of our history, especially those individuals in the past that have shaped the events of today. Ms. Swink has created a valuable work that will serve as a primary reference for generations to come. This reference pays tribute to the efforts and sacrifices of those who have served our country"
---Lieutenant Colonel Peter W. Conlin
Historian, North Dakota National Guard"Linda Swink's In Their Honor: The Men Behind the Names of Our Military Installations, is a fine work which covers the history of the naming of US military installations in the US and overseas. The biographies contained in this work run from well known personalities such as Captain Joe Foss (Joe Foss Field, South Dakota) to the virtual unknown, PFC Herman C. Wallace (Wallace Barracks, GE). Yet they all shared one thing in common--the were honored, normally in their home state, by a military post that bears their name. This is a handy reference book that will be of interest to professional military historians and amateurs alike, and should be the definitive source on this topic for years to come."
---John R. Dabrowski, Ph.D., Colonel, US Army
Director, Academic Engagement, Strategic Studies Institute
US Army War College"This is an excellent historical record which researchers can use to their great advantage. I complement you on your research and the work you have put into completing these records."
---Captain Tom Griffin
B-25 Navigator on crew #9 during the Doolittle Raid over Japan"You have made a genuine contribution, and we here thank you for caring and for making the effort to insure that others understand and recognize the sacrifices that members of the Armed Forces have made on behalf of the nation and its citizens."
---Bruce Siemon,
USAREUR Military History OfficeSwink doesn't merely skim the obvious; along with major chapters for each active-duty service, others cover National Guard facilities, airfields and overseas bases. "In the Honor" is more suited to browsing than reading. But for military trivia buffs, it's a slam-dunk conversation starter.
----Chuck Vinch
Navy, Army, Air Force Times"In Their Honor" by Linda Swink is an excellent reference book.....It is a wonderful record that will be just as useful for researchers and historians as it will for the men, women, and their families who are currently serving in the United States military. The book is one that you do not have to read from cover to cover. You will find yourself dipping into it to explore places you or family members have served.
----Jimmie Aaron Kepler
Kepler's Military History Book Reviewsback to [In Their Honor]