World War II Marine who helped inspire HBO’s ‘The Pacific’ dies
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In a May 30, 2016, photo, U.S. Marine veteran R. V. Burgin, 93, salutes during the 76th Annual Memorial Day Service at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas. Burgin, whose book about grueling jungle combat during WWII became a basis for the HBO miniseries “The Pacific” died April 6, at his home in Texas. He was 96.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In a Sept. 5, 2015 photo, R.V. Burgin, author of “Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the Pacific” signs copies of his book at Lancaster Airport in Lancaster, Texas.
LANCASTER, Texas >> A Marine whose book about grueling jungle combat during World War II became a basis for the HBO miniseries “The Pacific” has died at his home in Texas.
Services are being held today for R.V. Burgin.
His daughter, Maggie Shepherd, says her father was 96 when he died in his sleep on April 6.
Burgin wrote the book, “Islands of the Damned: A Marine at War in the Pacific.” Shepherd said it was among several books that inspired the HBO miniseries that premiered in 2010. Burgin was portrayed in the miniseries by actor Martin McCann.
Shepherd said that for about 35 years, her father never talked about his service in the war. She said he was inspired to write a book after attending some military reunions.
Burgin lived in Lancaster, a Dallas suburb.
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