Leif Herrgesell
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Leif HerrGesell has over 35 years experience as a military historian and holds a degree in Anthropology and has completed graduate work in American History. For the last 15 years he has combined his love of history and film earning a Silver Telly and a Platinum Aurora for his documentary, “The White Cockade- The Final Cry For Freedom” about the last Highland rebellion in Scotland. His film credits also include Line Producer for “Retreat From Gettysburg”, Art Director for “Signs of The Time” narrated by Richard Dreyfuss and Combat Coordinator for the visitor center film at Ganondagon State Historic Site. HerrGesell has produced and appeared in numerous corporate, commercial and instructional videos.
He joined the Navy Reserve immediately after the events of September 11, 2001, compelled to set an example for his children. At the time he joined he was a 38 year old married father awaiting the birth of his second child. After being granted an age waiver that allowed him to enlist, he began work as a Navy Journalist. In 2008 he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He has written on subjects as diverse as Naval history, reported on Seabees in combat in Afghanistan and on the individual accomplishments of Sailors. His still photographs have appeared in print and have been displayed at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. His reporting has appeared in the Orange County Register in California, the Ventura Times, countless websites and numerous Navy publications.
Deployed to Kahndahar Airfield, Afghanistan in 2010 HerrGesell served as the public Affairs Officer for a battalion of Navy civil engineers, Seabees, and reported on their progress in building combat outposts for the Army’s 101st Airborne Infantry Division and their replacement the 10th Mountain Division. In addition he conceived and instituted a drive to collect school supplies for the impoverished and war weary children of Kahndahar, Afghanistan. In total, the drive known as Operation Seabeelieve collected over 2,000 pounds of school supplies utilizing the generosity of Seabees from NMCB 18 and their families.
On March 26th his first novel, “Indians, Rogues & Giants” will be released nationally and will be available on Barnes & Noble.com and on Amazon.com as well as directly from Tate Publishing. Indians Rogues & Giants is described by the publisher as a ‘rum tale’ that submerges the reader in historic adventure. The story, set during the French and Indian War in the 1750’s begins in England and spans the colonies. The author calls it-
“. . . a uniquely American tale replete with self -serving opportunists, a pickpocket, a Scottish giant, a female Indian warrior, brawlers, and too many murderers and thieves to count. Essentially its Peter Pan for grown-ups.”
HerrGesell is currently working on two other novels, both set in border states during the Civil War and following the fictional lives of forgotten and ordinary individuals caught in the great national bloodletting. Also in the works is a sequel to IR&G for those who enjoy a rollicking fireside tale.
HerrGesell wears the the Army Valorous Unit Award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, The Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, The National Defense Medal and numerous other medals and awards.
He lives in Canandaigua, New York with his wife, Katie and his two Children, Emily and Andrew.