John Houston: Sergeant of Marines

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Step into the shoes of a likeable fi ghting Marine, Sgt. John Houston, with help from master storyteller and illustrator Col. John W. Thomason, Jr. a decorated Marine. Thomason depicts Houston's adventures at the Peking Legation in China prior to World War II followed by stories while duty in Central America just before the United States entered World War II. This collection of stories adds insight to little-known events that took place in this part of the world. In his spirited stories and drawings, Thomason memorably captured Marines much like author Rudyard Kipling described the British Army in India. Thomason's own experiences as a Marine in those far-away lands lend a voice of authenticity to Houston's imagined adventures. These tales, which appeared previously in magazines and books, some of which are long out of print, share a spirit of adventure, humor and camaraderie of men in arms in distant places. Marine Corps Col. John W. Thomason Jr., born in Huntsville, Texas, studied at Southeastern University, Sam Houston Normal Institute, the University of Texas, Art Students League in New York City and the Army and Navy war colleges. He served in World War I in France, earning the Navy Cross and Silver Star for heroism. Although he was a soldier, Thomason was at home with pen and ink, and brought home a portfolio of sketches. He showed the drawings to staff at Scribner's Magazine, who not only agreed to publish them but also asked for stories to accompany them. Thomason found more material for short stories and illustrations during post-war tours of duty to Cuba, Central America, China and abroad the USS Rochester, flagship of General "Blackjack" Pershing. His work about the Marines was published in magazines such as The New Yorker, The Saturday Evening Post, National Geographic and American Mercury. His eleven illustrated books include Fix Bayonets and Lone Star Preacher. He died in 1944 at the Naval Hospital in San Diego. The Navy destroyer the USS John W. Thomason was named in his honor.