Every Man a Hero

A Memoir of D-Day, the First Wave at Omaha Beach, and a World at War

By: Ray Lambert, Jim DeFelice

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith

An extraordinary and unforgettable new firsthand account of D-Day.

Seventy-five years ago, he hit Omaha Beach with the first wave. Now, Ray Lambert, 98 years old, delivers one of the most remarkable memoirs of our time, a tour de force of remembrance evoking his role as a decorated World War II medic who risked his life to save the heroes of D-Day.

At five a.m. on June 6, 1944, US Army Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert worked his way through a throng of nervous soldiers to a windswept deck on a troopship off the coast of Normandy, France. A familiar voice cut through the wind and rumble of the ship’s engines. “Ray!” called his brother, Bill. Ray, head of a medical team for the First Division’s famed 16th Infantry Regiment, had already won a silver star in 1943 for running through German lines to rescue trapped men, one of countless rescues he’d made in North Africa and Sicily.

“This is going to be the worst yet,” Ray told his brother, who served alongside him throughout the war.

“If I don’t make it,” said Bill, “take care of my family.”

“I will,” said Ray. He thought about his wife and son - a boy he had yet to see. “Same for me.” The words were barely out of Ray’s mouth when a shout came from below.

To the landing craft!

The brothers parted. Their destinies lay 10 miles away, on the bloodiest shore of Normandy, a plot of Omaha Beach ironically code-named “Easy Red”.

Less than five hours later, after saving dozens of lives and being wounded at least three separate times, Ray would lose consciousness in the shallow water of the beach under heavy fire. He would wake on the deck of a landing ship to find his battered brother clinging to life next to him.

Every Man a Hero is the unforgettable story not only of what happened in the incredible and desperate hours on Omaha Beach, but of the bravery and courage that preceded them, throughout the Second World War - from the sands of Africa, through the treacherous mountain passes of Sicily, and beyond to the greatest military victory the world has ever known.

©2019 Ray Lambert and Jim DeFelice (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Great book about a great man

If you have any interest in WW 11, this book is for you. Great narration really fitting what one might imagine Lambert would sound like.

Engaging!

I started off only listening in the car while driving then I found myself craving to listen while at a desk!

I enjoyed being right there with Mr. Lambert as his adventures took him all over the world. It has definitely sparked my interest to hear more about the war from the perspective of a soldier.

Battlefield Injuries and those who treat

Great story and well worth the read. This story tells a new side not usually covered by most WW II books.

Highly recommend!

Great story told so well! I appreciate when a narrator tells a story and isn’t just reading to me. I highly recommend.

Yes, They are Heros

Mr. Lamber and DeFelice wrote this wonderful account of his and the rest of the Medics under his direction.
Mr. Kaleo Griffith is an excellent narrator. He added so much to the story.
The story is of course set in WWII with all of its glory and heartbreak.
Being a medical company the men were required to take care of wounded soldiers. This meant going into the heat of the battle protecting the wounded man and trying to save his life. All this while not getting killed himself.
Mr. Lambert and DeFelice faced the daunting task of setting up an aid station as close to the front as possible.
We follow Mr. Lambert all around the battlefields and read of the heroics of him and his team.
We also hear about the men who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.
A great personal journey that is well worth the time to listen to or read.

Ray Lambert IS a Hero

Never forget. Ray Lambert will make sure we never do and are forever grateful for our heroes.

Honest review of a horrific time

Gives you a real sense of what life was like. The words paint pictures in your mind of what really went on. It’s a quick read but powerful.

Excellent Book

We should never forget what the Allies did during WWII. Too bad their effort isn’t a better motivator for today’s “Weakest Generation!”

A must read for fans of you are there WWII war memoirs

I am always on the lookout for personal accounts of anyone who was in active battles in the European sector in WWII, from any participant from any country involved.
This is as good as any I have found.
I’m not sure how I found it, but am so pleased that I did..

Humble heroism beautifully written

Ray Lambert clearly details his personal experience as a heroic combat medic with such friendly humility and frankness, you feel like he’s sitting across from you in an armchair. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in gaining a personal understanding of the European campaigns of World War Two, and anyone interested in the underpinnings of what exactly made the greatest generation so great. Thank you Ray, and American veterans everywhere, for your service.