Never to Return

"In Never to Return, Randall Peffer and Col. Robert Nersasian meticulously document the heart-breaking true-life story of the United States Coast Guard's worst war-time maritime disaster. In finely wrought detail they render the sinking of the USS Leopold from both the United States and German points-of-view in gripping and dramatic detail. This book belongs on the shelves of every maritime historian and enthusiast."-Peter Stekel, author of Beneath Haunted Waters
"Colonel Nersasian and Randall Peffer thoroughly researched the history of USS Leopold along with the personal stories from her Coast Guard crewmembers and their families. With their book, Never to Return, the authors have added great depth to the historical narrative of U.S. Coast Guard-manned destroyer escorts in the Battle of the Atlantic and spotlighted the stories of honor, respect and devotion to duty of these coast guardsmen during World War II."-D. A. Neptun, Rear Admiral, USCG (Retired)
Selected for the USCG Commandant's 2018 Reading List
Never to Return is more than the story of "Sparky" Nersasian and his miraculous survival following the loss of USS Leopold (DE-319) while escorting a WWII convoy of merchant ships transiting the North Atlantic. It is obvious the author left no stone unturned nor did he spare any expense in research for this book. Included here are interviews with survivors of other ships that were involved, German sub U-255 (attacking ship) and USS Joyce (DE-317) (rescue ship). A Board of Inquiry is convened upon any loss or severe damage of a naval vessel. As a result of the loss of Leopold and resulting death and injury to personnel, there were many changes of tactics along with improvements in training adopted. Some were presented in the book. Many interactions with other survivors and their families were shared by the author. A surprise ending, the rescue ship (Joyce) was not under attack by an enemy sub during the rescue as was originally presumed. Read the book to find out. Overall Rating - Four Stars, Highly recommended. An excellent book. -- Phil King, in Tin Can Sailors
"It is very well written and quickly paints a picture in the reader's mind--you do experience the cold-water agony. I highly recommend to Naval History readers and Naval Institute Members." * Naval History Magazine *