Luck or Fate?

Luck or Fate? documents Sgt Roger K. Heller’s World War II experience in the Pacific, starting with his rejection for service in the U.S. Navy and his “accidental” induction into the Infantry via the Selective Service. He recalls his war experiences from 7 December 1942 through his return home in 1946, and takes us from training at Camp Roberts, CA, through Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, to Australia, New Guinea, the invasions of Leyte and Mindanao in the Philippines, to Japan, and back home to Oakland, CA. The text is richly enhanced by Professor Emeritus Heller’s background in military and world history, and flavored with his own brand of humor and many personal photographs.

Author Biography

LTC (Ret) Roger K. Heller USAR was commissioned upon graduation from the University of California, Berkeley, 1950. During World War II, as a noncommissioned officer with the 19th Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division, he participated in five campaigns and four amphibious assault landings. He joined the 91st Division in 1949 and served as an enlisted man with the 361st Regiment until he received his commission in 1950. He was commissioned based on a Department of the Army circular commissioning sergeants and above with combat experience in World War II. LTC Heller numbers among his awards and decorations the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Arrowhead and one Silver Service Star, the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, and the 2nd Echelon Mechanics Badge. As a graduate student at U.C. Berkeley, he participated in Naval R.O.T.C. classes, Marine Corps Section, as an attached Army Officer. In civilian life Mr. Heller is Professor Emeritus of Social Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, California. He currently resides in Ojai, CA.