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Spearhead (Makos book)

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Spearhead
First edition
AuthorAdam Makos
LanguageEnglish
PublisherBallantine Books
Publication date
February 19, 2019 (2019-02-19)
Pages446
ISBN1782395806

Spearhead: An American Tank Gunner, His Enemy, and a Collision of Lives in World War II is a book about Clarence Smoyer, written by military history author Adam Makos, and published by Ballantine Books in 2019.[1][2][3]

The book reached number 3 on The New York Times Best Seller list on February 27, 2019.[4][5]

Characters

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  • Clarence Smoyer, American tank gunner[6]
  • Buck Marsh, Infantryman attached to the 3rd Armored Division[7]
  • Gustav Schaefer, German Panther tank radioman[8][9]

Plot summary

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The book honors an unsung hero, Clarence Smoyer, who despite his hatred for violence, becomes the gunner of one of the first Pershing tanks in the European Theatre. Smoyer and his tank crew lead the American invasion of Nazi Germany. Smoyer, whose tank crew is instrumental to the Battle of Cologne, recounts his step-by-step moves in the battle, particularly, shooting a car which unbeknown to him is carrying civilians. At the same time, the car is being shot by a German tank whose gunner is named Gustav Schaefer. Schaefer and Smoyer shoot each other for a few seconds. It ends when Smoyer's crew shoot down a nearby building which disables Shaefer's tank, but leave the Germans inside the tank unharmed. Schaefer and one of his friends escape while the rest of the crew decides to stand and fight. Schaefer credits Smoyer for saving him and his friend.[10][11]

The biography comes to an end with the meeting of Smoyer and Schaefer in Cologne, sharing their war stories and getting up to date since the war.

Critical reception

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The book has received generally positive reviews. As of 18 April 2019, it had a 4.61/5 community rating on Goodreads.[12]

It was listed on The New York Times Best Seller list on 26 February 2019.[13]

Later events

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On September 18, 2019, Makos presided over a ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in which Smoyer and the other members of the Pershing tank crew were awarded Bronze Star medals with "V" device for valor. Smoyer attended the ceremony in person while the families of the other crewmembers, who have passed away, received the medals on their behalf.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Novak, Steve (4 October 2022). "Clarence Smoyer, last of a famous WWII tank division, to be buried with 'full military honors'". lehighvalleylive. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Dramatic tank duel in 1945: 'Spearhead' author Adam Makos on story of American hero". The Clarion Ledger. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  3. ^ Neely, Darren (2021). Pictorial History of the US 3rd Armored Division in World War Two. Yorkshire: Pen and Sword Military. pp. viii. ISBN 978-1-5267-7551-1.
  4. ^ "'Spearhead' is a WWII book on tank strategy, but humanity is central focus". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  5. ^ Journal, Dave KindySpecial to The. "Book review: Engaging look at tank combat in World War II". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  6. ^ "'Spearhead' Book Signing in Williamsport". WNEP.com. 2019-02-23. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  7. ^ "95-Year-Old WWII Veteran Gets Surprise Visit From An 'Old Friend': A Sherman Tank". www.wbur.org. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  8. ^ "New Book About WWII Veteran from Lehighton". WNEP.com. 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  9. ^ "Book released on Pennsylvania WWII hero's time as tank gunner". WPMT FOX43. 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  10. ^ LANCE–STAR, JEFF SCHULZE THE FREE (23 February 2019). "Book review: A view to a tank duel is a sight undesired". Fredericksburg.com. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  11. ^ Jordan, Jonathan W. (2019-02-15). "'Spearhead' Review: Beyond the Front Lines". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  12. ^ "Spearhead". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2019-04-18.
  13. ^ "The New York Times Best Sellers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  14. ^ Kunkle, Fredrick, "U.S. tank crew receives medals for valor 74 years after gripping duel", MSN.com, 18 September 2019. The Washington Post.
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