The Mighty G is now available!
After years of work, and with the help of many shipmates, Maggie Ricci Cafiso has finished the book and it is now available to buy. The price is $23.50 and can be purchased by contacting her directly. Click here.
UPDATE - 26 APR 2003
The book is done and has been named "The Mighty G". The book was submitted to the Naval Institute Press, but they don't publish memoirs. Several chapters, an outline, and a letter were sent to The Literary Group to help find a publisher. If a publisher cannot be found, the books will be printed, bound, and shipped by Maggie. She should hear from the Literary Group soon. More news to follow.
UPDATE - 09 JUL 2002
The book is in the proofreading stage and will be submitted to the Naval Institute Press in Annapolis soon. Lets keep our fingers crossed that they accept it for publication!
I am sure that you have seen books in the stores about the Indianapolis and Missouri. There are books about the Enterprise and the Yorktown. But what about the Guam? Have you ever seen a book in stores about the Guam? The answer is no. But not for long because the daughter of a former crew member is putting together a book about the "Mighty G". Below is a copy of her letter that was sent to Harry Kenyon, historian of the reunion association. I encourage all who can to please send her information.
Dear Mr. Kenyon On March 8, 2001 my father, Nicholas Ricci, died. He had been a member of the Guam's crew from her commissioning until his discharge after the war. Dad had a copy of the Guam's blue history book and I have always been fascinated with it and his service. Dad was always reticent about talking about the war, and always managed to find a funny story to tell me when I asked him questions. As I got older and looked through the book, I realized where he had been and what he had seen. I appreciated his funny stories all the more then. It took a very special man to see the humor in all of the horror of war.
My dream now is to try and pay tribute to all of you "special men". Is it possible for you to ask your shipmates to send me remembrances of their time on the Guam? What I would like to accomplish is a book saluting all of you. Unfortunately, so many of Dad's shipmates are no longer here and I feel very strongly that their story needs to be told. If people would write to me and tell me their feelings, thoughts, fears, etc. about being on a ship in the midst of battle, I would love to receive these and try to put them into a book.
What has really made me determined to do this is when I asked my grandkids who their heroes are. Both of them mentioned cartoon "heroes". It was then that I realized that my grandkids, as well as many others, needed to hear about the real heroes.
Stories, reminiscences, scary times, funny times, sad times, can all be sent to me at the address abou, or by e-mail. My e-mail address is: rcafiso@yahoo.com. I am eager to hear from any and all and hope that I will be able to pay tribute to all of you in a fitting way.
Sincerely
Maggie Ricci Cafiso
Quick Links
Main Index
USS Guam CB-2 Home