The Last One Out

The Last One Out: Yates McDaniel, World War II's Most Daring Reporter

Author: Jack Torry

Description:

The Last One Out tells the thrilling and little-known story of Yates McDaniel, a fearless Associated Press reporter who risked his life to cover the war in Asia during World War II. From witnessing the brutal Japanese assault on Nanking in 1937, to being the last reporter to leave Singapore before its fall in 1942, to landing with U.S. Marines on New Britain in 1943, McDaniel chronicled some of the most harrowing events of the Pacific theater.

Colleagues joked that Japanese bombers seemed to follow McDaniel everywhere, a testament to his unflinching presence on the front lines. His daring led to unforgettable reporting—whether escaping a sinking ship after fleeing Singapore, or surviving alongside 130 others on a deserted island. Despite his incredible career, McDaniel’s legacy faded after his death in 1983, his bravery remembered only briefly in a small New York Times obituary.

Through years of extensive research, including hundreds of McDaniel’s original articles, personal letters, and archival records, journalist Jack Torry brings to life the extraordinary career of a man who defined wartime reporting with unmatched courage.

Key Features

• Author: Jack Torry
• The gripping biography of Yates McDaniel, one of WWII’s most daring reporters
• Coverage of key events: Nanking (1937), the fall of Singapore (1942), and U.S. landings in the Pacific (1943)
• Based on extensive archival research, including personal letters and hundreds of original news articles
• 256 pages | Hardcover | ISBN 978-0764362682