Local Author Recognized in National Book Contest

The 2012 Stars and Flags Book Award Program announces that author Warren Martin of St. Louis, Mo, was recently awarded a finalist medal in the Historical Fiction category, for his book, Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden 

Forgotten Soldiers is a Cold War mystery about Air Force Captain Jacob Walden shot down over Vietnam in 1970 and the unknown story of why he never returned home. Forty years later, Journalist Ted Pratt investigates what may be the sudden reappearance of Jacob Walden. Ted Pratt follows the trail to find Walden and encounters Charlie Smith, a secretive and seasoned operative who may have answers to the question about "What Happened to Jacob Walden," and why Jake never returned home.

A veteran of the Cold War and Green Beret, Warren Martin served 21 years in the U.S. Army. He was born in Maryland and then moved to Ireland with his mother when he was young, but returned to the U.S. in 1967. Martin earned a BA degree from the University of New York, an MBA from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing a PhD in Business and Organizational Leadership. He currently lives in St. Louis, Mo with his wife Debbie.

A national contest, the Stars and Flags Book Awards program, was established five years ago with the purpose of promoting books which have a connection to the military. Many of the judges are veterans themselves, and others include historians, teachers, and avid readers. The program is facilitated by Nancy Smith of Reeds Spring, Mo., owner of starsandflags.com, whose main goal is to support and promote our veterans. Smith is also an active member of the Military Writers Society of America, a graphic designer, and is soon to start writing her first book about veterans. The book awards program runs from Feb. through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Anyone interested in the program can find more information at http://www.starsandflags.com or by email at nancysentertainment@yahoo.com