Last Eyewitnesses, World War II Memories: D-Day to 70th Anniversary
About Author John Long After high school, I joined the Army and was assigned to Heavy Mortar Company, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Infantry Division, spending almost two and a half years in Germany.  I then went to college in Memphis Tennessee and obtained two degrees from the University of Memphis, one being a law degree in 1965. In 1967, I was elected county prosecuting attorney for Tupelo, Lee County, Mississippi and served four years.  Afterwards I practiced law in Lee County until I retired in 1994. Most of my practice included trying cases in front of a jury. I still maintain an active license to help people pro bono when I feel needed. My life long friend, Walter Parks, an author and publisher is working with me to write this book because of my desire to preserve the memories of the last eyewitnesses from Normandy in World War II.  While many books have been written over the years about the war, we wanted this book to be a little different. I wanted these ordinary men with extraordinary courage to be heard and preserved for future generations. We went to Graignes and the beaches of Normandy. While there we began to lay the foundation for this book.  When we returned home we sought out surviving soldiers who fought in WWII.   It has been an incredible journey as my wife and I interviewed these gentlemen and listened to their stories.   We must preserve these last eyewitnesses’ memories. About Author Walter Parks I wrote this book with my life-long friend John Long because of his intense interest in recording the last memories of common but exceptional soldiers in World War II. I was born in Memphis Tennessee and grew up in Saltillo Mississippi with John Long.   After graduating from Mississippi State University as an aerospace engineer I moved to Orlando Florida and worked for Lockheed Martin for 24 years. I advanced from an aerospace engineer to a Vice President of the Company and President of the Tactical Weapons Systems Division. After retirement from Lockheed I formed Parks-Jaggers Aerospace Company and sold it 4 years later. I then formed Quest Studios, Quest Entertainment and Rosebud Entertainment to make films at Universal Studios. I produced 10 films, directed 7 films and wrote 5 film scripts produced at Universal Studios.   I then formed UnknownTruths Publishing Company to publish true stories of the unusual or of the previously Unknown or unexplained.  I have published 33 books.