FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
An Unflinching Witness to History: Oldest Combat Infantryman Publishes Ground Truth Memoir of Modern War
SE Lacey, WA – February 24, 2026 – In the wake of the September 11 attacks, while a new generation answered the call to arms, one veteran made a decision that defied all convention. At the age of fifty, Master Sergeant Robert J. “Bob” Shano (U.S. Army, Ret.) walked back into a recruiting station and re-enlisted as an Army Infantryman. His subsequent eleven-year journey through the heart of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts forms the powerful backbone of his new memoir, Never Too Old for War. This is not a distant historical account or a politicized commentary. It is a raw, documented, and deeply personal narrative from the oldest enlisted soldier to serve in direct combat in the modern U.S. Army, offering a perspective unmatched in contemporary military literature.
Shano’s story shatters stereotypes about age, capability, and dedication. His service bridges a historic gap, connecting the hard-earned lessons of the Vietnam-era Army with the complex battlefields of the 21st century’s War on Terror. Never Too Old for War transports readers into the gunner’s hatch of a Humvee on Baghdad’s deadly streets, to the bleak landscape of remote outposts, and into the quiet struggles of a soldier determined to lead from the front, no matter the personal cost. Never Too Old for War captures the visceral reality of combat, the profound bonds of brotherhood, and the often-overlooked challenges of a life dedicated to service.
At its core, the book delivers a powerful message about timeless soldiering virtues: resilience, integrity, and leadership forged in action. Master Sergeant Shano provides a critical, insider’s examination of the modern military institution, contrasting it with the army of his youth. He addresses urgent themes with the credibility of a career soldier, from the tactical errors and bureaucratic inertia he witnessed to the profound personal cost of war and the fraught transition back to civilian life. His insights are not complaints. They are a hard-earned diagnosis meant to inspire reflection and understanding.
The memoir will resonate strongly with a diverse audience. Military veterans and active-duty personnel will find stark authenticity and shared experience in its pages. Historians and students of contemporary conflict will value its firsthand, documented account of pivotal operations. Leadership professionals across all fields can mine it for profound lessons on character, decision-making, and team cohesion under extreme pressure. Ultimately, any reader seeking to understand the true human experience behind the headlines of America’s longest wars will find this book essential.
Master Sergeant Shano’s writing style is direct, evocative, and uncompromising. He writes with the clear voice of a non-commissioned officer who has lived every word. His narrative is compellingly supported by a trove of personal photographs, official documents, and corroborating statements, a deliberate choice that elevates the work from mere memoir to a lasting historical record. The prose is engaging and accessible, pulling the reader into the moment without pretension, whether describing a harrowing ambush or a quiet moment of reflection.
Never Too Old for War is available now in paperback and ebook formats. Readers can find it on Amazon, at all major online book retailers, and through ordering channels at brick-and-mortar bookstores nationwide.
For more information, review copies, or to schedule an interview with Robert J. Shano, please contact:
Robert J. Shano
About Robert J. Shano
Master Sergeant Robert J. “Bob” Shano (Ret.) is not just a veteran; he is a living bridge between eras of American warfare. Driven by a profound sense of duty after the 9/11 attacks, he performed the extraordinary: at age 50, he walked away from civilian life and re-enlisted as an Army Infantryman. This decision launched an eleven-year chapter that would see him complete three combat tours and retire at 62 as the oldest enlisted soldier to serve on the front lines in modern U.S. history. His career, stretching from the Vietnam era to the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan, embodies a legacy of resilience and unwavering commitment. Today, he channels that experience into powerful storytelling, offering an authentic, ground-level testimony that honors every veteran’s truth. He lives with his wife, Aida, and continues to advocate for the voices of those who have served.
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