Amidst the pines in this community, lives a woman with a secret she’s ready to share. Not of herself, but of her father’s battle in WWII. Linda Cunningham grew up trying to hear the whispers of her father’s confidential missions in Burma, but his PTSD, or shell shock as it was known then, was louder.
One day, while searching for Halloween costumes in the attic, she stumbled upon a diary from 1944… A memoir that would have been considered criminal at the time penned by her father during the war. What she initially interpreted as gruesome tales of survival—like eating "three rats"—was a coded reference to rations. Years later, her father finally agreed to share his story of being part of Merrill's Marauders (the 5307th Composite Unit Provisional), leading to a profound collaboration that would unlock a valuable firsthand account of bravery and sacrifice. Those faint whispers were finally heard.
The catalyst for her first book happened in Lake Charles, Louisiana, after facing Hurricane Audrey. Through the chaos, she found her voice and used it to earn a Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from the University of Houston, alongside a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from McNeese State University.
Linda’s writing not only honors her father’s legacy but also sheds light on the often-overlooked perspectives of enlisted soldiers. The struggle of growing up with a father who had PTSD shaped her resilience, teaching her the importance of love amid hardship. The story unfolds in the pages of The Marauder and His Daughter: A Memoir from the 1944 Diary of MERRILL’S MARAUDER Larry W. Stephenson.
As she works on a screenplay to adapt her father's story, she emphasizes the need for accuracy and authenticity. Through her journey, she inspires others to face their storms and turn them into stories of triumph, proving miracles can emerge.
Merrill’s Marauders was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and most significantly that they were the forerunners of the Army’s elite fighting unit the 75th Ranger Regiment.