Michael Stanis
Michael Stanis was born in 1943, in Saint Louis, Missouri. Son of a professional Jazz pianist, he studied music and photography during his years at Normandy High School, and later studied concert guitar at the Austrian State Academy for Music and Performing Arts. Between high school and music school he had a series of experiences, outlined in this memoir, during the decade 1961-1971. During 2018, He put pen to paper, and obtained permission from the Defense Department to tell this tale.
Books
I was getting into a rhythm, all the noise falling away, hearing only my heartbeat, and faintly, my coach's suggestions. I was three shots away from an expert rating- 300 points. My coach said “miss the next three shots”. A heartbeat’s hesitation, then I follow the order. I will earn the sharpshooter medal, a silver Maltese cross with two concentric circles in the middle and a little bar hanging under with the word “Rifle.” The only medal I would be awarded.
Military Roots: The world in 1943 - Our country is united in a great effort to defeat fascism. Our enemies are Germany, Italy and Japan. Before the Pearl Harbor attack, before the Japanese Navy, it was not all clear that we would oppose Hitler. A large number of people here did not oppose the idea of "white" supremacy, plenty hated Jews and communists. Many thought the union members were communists and many hated Franklin Roosevelt and his "socialistic”policies to help the U. S. out of the trouble capitalist excess provoked.
ISBN: 978-1-950393-91-6