In 1996, Stephanie Hanson Caisse discovered her birth father - Corpsman Gary Young - had been killed in the Vietnam War, two months before she was born, never knowing he was about to have a child. Adopted at birth, she grew up never knowing who her birth parents were. However, at the age of twenty-six, she was forced to find her birth family when she was diagnosed with a congenital illness. The story she uncovered is amazing, and has changed her life, as well as the lives of many others.
Her first book, titled "A Corpsman's Legacy," chronicles her journey to find out about her father and how he died. It brought her in contact with thousands of Marines and their families, and recounts the tremendous kindness and courage of our nation's veterans as they talk openly about a time that shaped their lives forever. And, woven throughout the many stories, is the power of one man's legacy to heal the wounds of war. Christy Sauro, author of "The Twins Platoon" states it is “one of the best books I’ve ever read…I could hardly put the book down.”
"A Corpsman's Legacy Continues," was just recently published and is already gaining acclaim. As she uncovers even more information about her father and his crewmembers, she continues to help Vietnam veterans open up and realize that through all the heartache, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Her journey also follows HMM-364 to Iraq, as a new generation of Marines goes to war, including a stunning twist of fate that ties the Vietnam and Iraq wars together like never before. Corpsman John Little from Vietnam says of both books that “…the author has the ability to pull you and your emotions into the story…a wonderful bridge between the past and present.”
Stephanie’s journey is more than just an account of her father’s life; her story is about the healing that is still taking place from one of the most turbulent times in our country’s past. It's a must-read for all veterans and their families.
Madison, MS
