Marine museum buys local author’s book

Author Trudy Sundberg speaks about her book during a “Meet the Author” event at Oak Harbor Library. Kathy Reed/Whidbey Crosswind

Local author Trudy Sundberg has achieved more success regarding her recently published book about a 19th century Marine hero.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., has purchased several copies of “O’Bannon: Lieutenant Presley Neville O’Bannon, USMC Hero of the War with Barbary Pirates in Tripoli,” which will be sold at the museum.

An enthusiastic Sundberg made the announcement Feb. 16 during a ‘Meet the Author’ program at Oak Harbor Library.

“I’m happy to say my book will be at the National Marine Museum. They bought 10 books,” Sundberg announced, adding she has had to have a second printing of her book. “My first order of 150 is gone. And all the proceeds are donated to Marine museums, libraries and bookstores.”

Oak Harbor Library Manager Mary Campbell, right, introduces local author Trudy Sundberg Feb. 16 at a "Meet the Author" event at the library. Kathy Reed/Whidbey Crosswind

Sundberg told the group of approximately two dozen that she worked on “O’Bannon” for about three years. The book is actually the second edition of a book she wrote several years ago called “The Valiant Virginian,” which was more of a genealogical history. The new book was inspired by current events like the attacks on American ships by pirates along the East African coast.

“In 1805, American ships trying to pass through Northern Africa would have to pay a tribute,” Sundberg said. “It was basically a ransom. Those tributes today would amount to $41 billion. Poor Thomas Jefferson was going crazy.”

So, with just three ships in his Navy, President Jefferson sent a group of Marines to the Barbary Coast to put an end to the outrageous tributes and the taking of prisoners. A small number of Marines led a rag-tag group of multi-nationals across the desert, under the leadership of Gen. William Eaton.

“Eaton had to be quite the politician,” said Sundberg’s research assistant, Kathryn Hardesty. “It really was what is called a motley crew.”

In the end, the Marines won the battle and O’Bannon became the first man to raise the American flag on foreign soil. Sundberg’s book describes the mission in great detail, bringing an important piece of Marine history to life. Her book is available at the Oak Harbor Library. Those interesting in purchasing a copy may contact Sundberg at tjsun@whidbey.net.