- Born
- Died
- Birth nameGordon William Prange
- Gordon W. Prange was born on July 16, 1910 in Pomeroy, Iowa, USA. Gordon W. was a writer, known for Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). Gordon W. was married to Anne Root. Gordon W. died on May 15, 1980 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
- SpouseAnne Root(1937 - May 15, 1980) (his death, 3 children)
- Professor of History at the University of Maryland (College Park).
- He entered the Navy in 1942. By 1945, General Douglas MacArthur appointed him Chief Historian on his staff.
- He attended Pomeroy High School in Iowa. He was a star athlete excelling in track and baseball. He was also regarded as the "class clown.".
- He enrolled at the University of Iowa where is majored in Physical Education with the intention of being a coach. He was a two year letterman in baseball. He switched his major to history for his bachelor's degree. He went on to earn his master's degree in 1934 and finally his doctorate in 1937.
- In late 1945, after the Japanese surrender, he asked to be sent to Japan where he would work for the next six years.
- [commenting on the 1935-1936 period when he studied at the University of Berlin] I saw Hitler operate first hand and heard him speak a number of times.
- [explaining why he changed his undergraduate major from Physical Education to History] The intellectual bug bit me.
- [commenting on the period from 1945 to 1951 when he was stationed in Japan] I fell in love with Japan and its people. It was a tremendous experience. I was there six years and had the opportunity to talk to many, many persons directly involved in the Pearl Harbor attack.
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