Okinawa: The Bloodiest
Battle of All was written by William Manchester. Manchester is
the author of 18 books, which have been translated into over 20 languages. He received
both the National Humanities Medal, as well as the Abraham Lincoln Literary
Award. In Okinawa: The Bloodiest
Battle of All, he recalls his life as a
marine and the many battles he has encountered. The essay showed how the life
of war changed as time progressed. The main battle that was focused on was a
fight between America and Japan on Okinawa. The essay was first published in
The New York Times Magazine in 1987 on Flag Day, where both American and
Japanese people met to honor the placement of a monument on Okinawa. The
beginning makes it seem like it was easy for the Americans and the Japanese to
meet together on Okinawa, and that they were able to put aside their
differences in order to honor the battle. However, Manchester's purpose was to
show the audience that two countries could make peace, but the individuals who
fought still struggle. He argued that no one could understand the innerstruggle a veteran goes through. The deeper into the essay one gets, the more apparent it
is that the people who fought in combat have an inner struggle long after the
battle is over. The essay is mostly intended for adults interested in the life
of a veteran, and people more interested in learning about American warfare.
The most important rhetorical device used throughout the essay was Manchester’s
use of anecdotes. The personal anecdotes used throughout the essay helped
readers connect with Manchester as well as understand the hardships he faced
before, during, and after war. The use of one anecdote in particular helped him
succeed in getting his purpose across to the audience. The author wrote about
an encounter with a Japanese businessman who volunteered as a kamikaze fighter
in the 1940s, but was rejected last minute. The essay reads, "I had
expected no difficulty; neither, I think, did he. But when we confronted each
other, we froze. I trembled, suppressing the sudden, startling surge of
primitive rage within" (Manchester 506). This anecdote demonstrated that
even though America was at peace with Japan, William could not get over the war
because he suffered through the battles against the Japanese. It showed that
even though he was making an effort, he would never be able to overcome the
anger he felt for his used to be enemy. Therefore, Manchester did achieve his
purpose, for every reader could understand the struggle he continued to face,
even after the war ended.
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