Marine whose book helped inspire HBO's 'The Pacific' dies
LANCASTER, Texas (AP) — A Marine whose book about grueling jungle combat during World War II became a basis for the HBO miniseries "The Pacific" has died at his home in Texas.
Services are being held Friday for R.V. Burgin. His daughter, Maggie Shepherd, says her father was 96 when he died in his sleep on April 6.
Burgin wrote the book, "Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the Pacific." Shepherd says it was among several books that inspired the HBO miniseries that premiered in 2010. Burgin was portrayed in the miniseries by actor Martin McCann.
Shepherd says her father for about 35 years never talked about his service in the war. She says he was inspired to write a book after attending some military reunions.
Burgin lived in Lancaster, a Dallas suburb.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep.16: From Island to island, how football helped overcome tragedy Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to Carey football player James McGrath about how he has persevered after losing his parents at a young age, and to the Lahainaluna (Hawaii) High School football coach about how his team persevered after the Maui wildfires of 2023, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the All-Long Island teams photo shoot.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep.16: From Island to island, how football helped overcome tragedy Newsday's Gregg Sarra talks to Carey football player James McGrath about how he has persevered after losing his parents at a young age, and to the Lahainaluna (Hawaii) High School football coach about how his team persevered after the Maui wildfires of 2023, plus a behind-the-scenes look at the All-Long Island teams photo shoot.
