Richard Tregaskis

Richard Tregaskis was an American journalist, war correspondent and author who made his name writing about World War II and the Korean War. He was renowned for his vivid, colorful and accurate depictions of battle situations, as well as his ability to capture the deep psychological experiences of those on the front lines. His work has been credited with transforming war journalism from mere reporting of facts to engrossing, journalistic literature.

Tregaskis was born in Medford, Massachusetts in 1916 and attended Harvard University, graduating in 1938. He began his journalism career with The Boston Post, and went on to work for Collier’s and Reader’s Digest after his diploma. During World War II, Tregaskis served in the U.S. Army, and worked as a “hastily-trained war correspondent.” In January 1943, he accompanied US troops from England to Africa, wrote up their daring feats, and eventually delivered his report to the American public in his acclaimed volume, Guadalcanal Diary.

This account was based upon his own eight-month experience as an Army infantryman and a war correspondent, as well as interviews with thousands of veterans and interviews with the U.S. Marines around the world. Tregaskis chronicles the war’s combat, its more painful psychological and spiritual moments and records many of the day-to-day details of existence at war.

The book was a great success, selling over one million copies and earning Tregaskis a National Book Award. His reports were so detailed that the U.S. War Department regarded them as valuable field manuals, and his work was credited with the improved morale and public support of the war effort.

Afterwards, Tregaskis traveled extensively to places such as England, France, Mexico and Spain, establishing strong relationships with many world leaders. He wrote several more books, such as The 38th Parallel, The Steel Tornado, and I Survey the World—all of which gave personal accounts of his experiences in those countries.

Tregaskis returned to the military in 1950 to provide frontline combat coverage for the Korean War. His book, Korea: The Conflict, is an in-depth look at the characters and events that made up the Korean War. His vivid description of the Korean lifestyle gave readers a unique look inside the people and places of this war. In addition, Tregaskis documented his own personal experience as a combat reporter in Korea.

Not all of his writing focused on war and violence. Tregaskis’ travel writing also showed a more personal side, as he depicted the everyday lives of locals and gave the public insights into their lifestyles and customs.

Though he eventually left journalism and pursued other interests, Tregaskis was remembered by later generations of reporters as one of the first to bring the war experience to the people through up close and personal accounts. He was responsible for the relatively new branch of war journalism, combining in-depth reporting with a color and vibrancy that gave his readers unprecedented insight into life on the battlefield.

Richard Tregaskis was a brave and influential journalist who enabled readers to experience the two world wars in a vivid and powerful way. His legacy has inspired generations of reporters, allowing contemporary audiences to gain a better understanding of the psychological and physical tolls placed on those who serve in the military. He died in 1979 at the age of 62, but his words and stories remain with us today.