WWII Veteran to Sign Copies of Memoir in Daytona

New Book Takes Unusual Look at Life in the Military

EDGEWATER, Fla. – John R. Kilsheimer, author of How The Navy and I Survived Each Other During WWII (available through AuthorHouse), will sign copies of this candid, often humorous and always insightful autobiography on Saturday, March 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1900 W. International Speedway Blvd., in Daytona Beach.

How The Navy and I Survived Each Other During WWII details many of Kilsheimer’s adventures, “both good and otherwise,” as a Navy cadet and officer. From his enrollment in the NROTC as a college student in September 1941, through two invasions in the South Pacific and on to an honorable discharge in April 1946, the book is filled with the interesting, unusual and sometimes downright bizarre events that made up the author’s military service.

“This book is unique in that it covers mainly the obstacles to success of an entrepreneurial ‘free spirit’ in the Naval Service during WWII and the many ways one … overcome[s] the problems,” writes Kilsheimer.

Among the lessons learned during his tour and shared in this work are:

·         How early family life influences how one reacts to a regimented military existence;

·         How best to circumvent rules and regulations which one believes are unreasonable;

·         How to survive under battle conditions, the answer to which is often dictated by common sense, experience and good advice from seasoned veterans;

·         Thirteen “Service Truisms;” and

·         Peacetime can be very boring for an energetic young serviceman, so it takes a little ingenuity to keep life moving full speed ahead.

“[How The Navy and I Survived Each Other During WWII] was written so that my family and friends both known and unknown who might have a free spirit in their midst could view a snapshot of my life during those turbulent years,” says Kilsheimer. “It has some serious moments, but lots of smiles to make you glad you went along with me for the ride.”

Kilsheimer is a native of Westchester County, N.Y. He was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy in February 1944 and became a small boat officer in the amphibious forces. After the war, he worked in chemical research, where he authored 24 U.S. and more than 100 foreign patents. He and his wife, Betts, have six daughters, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.