Book excerpt: Surviving the sinking of his ship, the U.S.S. Houston, on March 1, 1942, and making a 10-½ hour swim to the beach on Java, is only one of Jack’s exciting adventures. As a small boy on cattle ranches in Southern California, he attended one-room schools. After graduating from Santa Barbara High School, he joined the U.S. Navy. He thoroughly enjoyed the travels until his ship was sunk and he became a Prisoner of War of the barbaric and cruel Japanese. With only the strong will to life, a good sense of humor, and the Grace of God did he survive 3 ½ years of Hell Holes. After the end of World War II, he remained in the U.S. Navy, and with diligent study he advanced up through the ranks to become a Commander! He was assigned as Chief Engineer on his last two ships that were Aircraft Carriers. Before and after the war, he had many compelling romances, lots of rollicking fun, and real exciting adventures enough to last two life times.