cover image Pacific Microphone

Pacific Microphone

William J. Dunn. Texas A&M University Press, $29.95 (416pp) ISBN 978-0-89096-339-5

The only American broadcast journalist to cover the war in the Pacific from start to finish, Dunn modestly refers to himself as ``one of the camp followers.'' Several of his vivid broadcasts are reproduced here, showing how he kept the ``folks back home'' up to date by means of comparatively primitive radio hook-ups. Dunn covered Marine landings, MacArthur's triumphant return to the Philippines, the battle of Leyte Gulf, MacArthur's arrival in Japan and the surrender ceremony aboard the Missouri . Focused on people as well as events, his memoir offers fresh glimpses of such men as Robert Eichelberger, MacArthur's foremost army commander (and Dunn's favorite general) and Richard Sutherland, MacArthur's chief of staff (Dunn's least favorite). MacArthur himself looms awesome throughout the lively narrative. On the historic beach at Leyte, Dunn asked if the microphone made him nervous: ``Bill,'' said the general, ``I'm never nervous.'' Maps, photos. (Dec.)