IF IT MOVES, SALUTE IT

by Bob Duncan ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 7, 1959

Another panel in the annals of American-occupied Japan displays the fortunes of the Shogun Hotel taken over in 1945 by Captain Stone as headquarters for the Twelfth Special Service Company, and run with complete discretion. Pfc. Frank S. Ellison, an innocent from a Kansas farm, learns to like the soft life but stands up for the new lieutenant, Billings, when he injects more military discipline into the lax routine, and becomes part of his martinet rule when Billings is able to get Stone ousted. Frank's awkward romance with modern-minded, Japanese, Yuki, the continued pressure from Billings and the breakout of unexplained liquor in the supply room, rouse Frank to protect Yuki's father and the friends he has made -- to an end that he is instrumental in getting Billings to leave -- and Stone to return. The clashes between the military and the Japanese civilians, the clashes between the military themselves -- the unbending disciplinarian sadistically punishing- and the eyes closed, understanding leader type -- make up this foreign tour of duty -- which is perhaps a slightly ribald companion to the ""ugly American"". Something for the boys.

Pub Date: Jan. 7, 1959

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1959

Categories: FICTION