Tin Can Man

By: E. J. Jernigan

Narrated by: Kent Cassella

E. J. Jernigan's memoir offers listeners a fascinating glimpse of life as an enlisted man aboard the USS Saufley, one of the most highly decorated destroyers of World War II. It is a rarely told story of the sailors who fought the war from boiler rooms, after-steering spaces, radio shacks, and other gritty places that keep a warship going. For the author, it was a world of strong emotions and quick reactions, where men had to adapt and grow if they were to survive.

With its colorful view of what went on below decks, Tin Can Man has made a lasting contribution to World War II literature since its publication in 1993. It appeals to veterans, historians, and naval enthusiasts alike looking for an honest account of what happened.

©1993 Vandamere Press (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Written from the enlisted man's point of view.... Fascinating to read." ( Library Journal)

"A unique, bottom-up look at what our fathers did." (Tom Clancy)

Let there stories remain long after their gone.

I always appreciate reading or listening to a story told by a veteran. While this story may have been more simplistic in it's telling, it is just as important to hear.

A revealing of a substandard Navy

A substandard Navy full of bigotry, booze, lust and cultural indifferences unacceptable by the standards of today. For this item to be part of the Chief Petty Officer reading list demonstrates a disconnect by naval leadership to exemplify and endorse a standard of conduct expected from service members today.

Interesting story, less than weii told

Jernigan had quite a career in the Navy and saw a lot of combat. Unfortunately he is not a very good writer, and spills out stories and amusing anecdotes higgledy-piggeldy, moving on to unrelated subjects without acknowledgement or transition. He also tells little of his combat experience until almost the end of the story, when they fought off kamikaze attacks.
The narrator reads flatly and mispronounces naval terms such as "boat-swain" (bosun) and "kway" (quay.) Could have been easily avoided.