No Better Place to Die

"While looking for 505 troopers PFC Buck walked beyond the church when he heard the unmistakable clank of tanks coming from the west along with distant but approaching machine-gun fire. As a combat veteran, he knew what these sounds meant. The only way the German tanks were going to get through to Ste. Mere Eglise or Utah Beach was over the causeway and the little la Fiére Bridge..."

No Better Place to Die is a fine memoir by Robert M. Murphy, "A" Company, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment Pathfinder and Normandy combat veteran. This edition features a larger format and a new chapter detailing the author's postwar experiences.

Bob Murphy, D-Day combat veteran, former President of the 82nd Airborne veterans association (and current Vice President, Reunions, of the 505th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) Association WW II), the man behind the 'Iron Mike' at La Fiére and the C-47 at the Ste. Mere Eglise Airborne museum' and on a more serious note, the man whose best friend died in combat by his side, wants to tell you the story of a classic struggle of a small group of motivated men against panzers and infantry. A bridge had to be held to protect Utah Beach. Bob and his comrades heeded the words of John 'Red Dog' Dolan when the battle was at its highest pitch, "...we may as well stay here, there's no better spot to die!"

If you saw the blockbuster movie "Saving Private Ryan" you'll recognize this battle of paratroopers at the bridge. There's just one huge difference.This is real flesh and blood and not Hollywood!

Bob tells the story from the viewpoint of the combat soldier. His own viewpoint and that of his buddies. We invite you buy thgis fine book and journey back to the hedgerows of Normandy with author Bob Murphy.