Summary: Students today have little knowledge and appreciation of the actual events of World War II. This lesson provides a soldier's account of his experiences fighting in the South Pacific during the war. The author's powerful words bring the experience of war alive, even for today's teenagers. (This should be used to supplement a lesson on the War in the Pacific.)

Vital Theme and Narrative: Conflict and cooperation

Habit of Mind: To perceive past events and issues as they were experienced by people at the time, and to develop historical empathy as opposed to present-mindedness.

Objectives: Students will gain a better understanding of the experience of fighting in World War II. Through these personal accounts, they will learn of the suffering that our veterans experienced in providing the freedom that we all enjoy today.

Procedures:
(1). As class begins, the teacher will check the prior knowledge of the students by asking questions about World War II, such as What do you know about WWII? How much do you know about the war in the Pacific? Spend the first few minutes discussing what the students say, listing their examples on the board. (if used at the beginning of a lesson)
(2). Choose passages throughout With The Old Breed to share with your class. Excerpts may vary depending on the level of your students. You may choose to read to them, or prepare handouts ahead of time, again depending on the class.
(3). Prepare questions based on the passages that you use. Ask students to share their feelings based on the readings. Put the students in the soldier's shoes…
(4). Consider also discussing the following items:
a. Emotional effect that war has on veterans
b. Fighting for your country? (Opposed, why?)
c. Returning home - difficulties and changes
d. Remembrance - A World War II Memorial?
(5). To Summarize, recap the main points of the discussion. Ask the students why it is so important to hear the words of veterans. What can we do to preserve their stories?

Source(s):
With The Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by E.B.Sledge
Handouts
http://www.microworks.net/pacific/ U.S. Navy Website on the War in the Pacific