Anton Myrer was a bestselling author and U.S. Marine Corps veteran best known for his sweeping military novels that explored America's wartime experiences and moral complexities. His most celebrated work, "Once an Eagle" (1968), chronicled the career of an Army officer and his family from World War I through Vietnam, earning praise for its authentic portrayal of military life. The novel was adapted into a 1976 television miniseries. Myrer achieved further acclaim with "The Last Convertible" (1978), a poignant examination of American life during and after World War II, which also became a television miniseries in 1979.
Myrer's writing was distinguished by its thematic depth, focusing on America's loss of innocence and the dynamics of power. His 1957 novel "The Big War" (adapted into the 1958 film "In Love and War") drew comparisons to Tolstoy's "War and Peace" for its epic scope. Other notable works included "The Violent Shore" (1962), "The Intruder: A Novel of Boston" (1965), and "A Green Desire" (1981). Critics praised his ability to blend compelling storytelling with vivid battlefield realism, with The New York Times describing him as "a superb storyteller."
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Myrer grew up across New England, settings that would later feature prominently in his novels. After graduating from Boston Latin School in 1941, he enlisted in the Marine Corps following Pearl Harbor, serving in the Pacific theater during World War II and earning the rank of corporal. He completed his education at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude. Myrer passed away in 1996 from leukemia, leaving behind a legacy of powerful, morally resonant literature that continues to influence military fiction.