Story Time

Author's note: this will be my retelling piece. I will be retelling the story that goes on in the book Saving Pvt. Ryan by Max Allen Collins. This piece will be something new for me, as I have never done a retelling piece both last year, and this year. In this piece I will be trying to not bore the reader with the story but still tell the story.

The book begins with the infamous invasion of Normandy France, D-Day. It focuses on possibly, the most famous beach landing: the American invasion on Omaha Beach. During the fight, chaos is all that surrounds Captain John H Miller. He watches all around as bombs explode, people drop from gun fire, and wounded soldiers, too young to be in the war, cry for help.

Somehow, through all the chaos, troops are able to head up the tall hills, take out the German gunners, pinning down their comrades, and secure the beach. Once the beach is secure, Miller is informed that a soldier had become MIA in the night air raids. But there was something special about this soldier, he had lost all four of his brothers in the last day, and they were going to rescue him. His name was, PVC James Ryan.

Miller and his squad embark on a three day journey to find Ryan, loosing two of their men, along the way.They eventually find him in a small destroyed town with three other MIA paratroopers. They get there just in time to hold off the attacking Germans. After the fighting, Miller informs Ryan of his brother's deaths, and tells him that they are taking him home. Ryan promptly responds, "Tell my mother, that you have found me, here and I was with the only brothers I had left." Miller and his squad decide to stay and help the troops defend the bridge keeping the Germans out of the town.

The soldiers have a few hours to ready up for the attack. The German offensive front, consisted of 55 well trained soldiers, two tanks, and anti- air artillery. The few rugged soldiers are able to hold off the invading attacks, for a while. As one by one, almost all the Americans are killed, and the Germans advance further over the bridge. Ryan, Miller, and the few surviving soldiers, are all out of hope, as another wave of tanks advance. Their hope is renewed as American planes, and soldiers destroy the tanks, and eliminate the troops. Miller is mortally wounded, and dies shortly after the attack ends.

The closing scene is Ryan, as an old man, visiting Miller's grave. He remembers, what they did to save him.It ends with His grandson coming up to him and hugging him. Ryan then leaves the grave of the man who gave everything to save him.