Unintended Hero by Becky Van Vleet

Back Cover: How Can You Be A Hero When Everything Inside Says You Can’t?

When the first bomb drops on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941, Walter Troyan is a skinny seventeen-year-old California kid chock full of fear. But down deep he knows he must join the fight, so he drops out of high school and enlists.

Almost overnight, Walter is submerged into a brutal training regime and schedule. He’s homesick. Outmatched by all the other newbies. Knows he’ll never live up to his heroic brothers.

And his soul shudders every time an officer shouts, “What are you made of!” Because Walter knows.

But then? Hope. He performs well on an aptitude test which sends him to Gunner’s Mate School. Upon graduation, Walter is sent to the USS Denver, docked in Philadelphia. He makes friends, gains a shred of courage.

Then his ship enters the Pacific Theater and Walter enters the crucible of his life. His body, spirit, and soul are forced to fight against emotions and circumstances he’s never encountered, and he’s faced with choices that will bring life or death to men he’s come to love as brothers.

Don’t miss this epic tale—inspired by a true story—of a boy facing head on, the courage it takes to become a man.

My Thoughts

Just a teenager, Walter Troyan drops out of high school joins the Navy during World War II. He serves as a gunner aboard the USS Denver, a cruiser, for three years in the Pacific. The author takes us into the battles, with the steady, practiced, sometimes never-ending maneuvers and racket of loading the guns. And into the thoughts and worries of a bunch of teenagers who have been honed into warriors in the desperate battle against Japanese.

The Japanese aren’t the only enemy as the cruiser also encounters typhoons and an accidental explosion of an ammunition ship near them. The crew does enjoy breaks occasionally, a first-crossing of the Equator ceremony to become shellbacks by kissing “Neptune’s greasy belly,” Christmas dinner.

Walter became a man during those three years, gaining courage and faith while facing uncertainties and losses of war.

The Author

Award winning multi-genre author Becky Van Vleet is a retired teacher and principal. A member of ACFW, Allauthor, and Colorado Writers, her devotions have been published in Guideposts, and two of her children’s books have received Purple Dragonfly Awards. She and her husband make their home in Colorado Springs, where Becky enjoys oil painting, gardening, and hiking and biking in the great outdoors. Becky relishes spending time with her family and especially reading books to her grandchildren. Passionate about patriotism, WWII, and stories from the Greatest Generation, Becky enjoys visiting schools to speak with middle and high schoolers about lessons learned from history and how we can walk out patriotism today.

Her website is devoted to creating and preserving family memories while connecting generations. If you enjoy family stories, check out her website at: https://beckyvanvleet.com and sign up for her blogs/newsletters. Becky would love to hear from you, especially if you have a family story to share!

Walter Troyan was Becky’s father.

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