Ted Behncke is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel having served 30 years in varied command and staff positions across the globe. He comes from a military family that saw distinguished service in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWII and service during nearly every major conflict to the present. While serving in the Army, he commanded an infantry rifle company in the 17th Infantry Regiment – the same regiment that had two companies in the Little Bighorn Campaign. He was a training instructor and has a thorough knowledge of cavalry tactics and campaigns, including those from the Civil War and the Indian Wars. Stationed at both historic Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas he gained hands-on knowledge of the Custer residences, the weapons and accoutrements used by cavalry soldiers in the 1800s and retraced the routes of the 7th Cavalry campaign against the Plains Indians. This included leading fellow Army officers and NCOS to the Little Bighorn battlefield and discussing the movements of both opposing forces. He has written numerous military papers and book reviews, including the prestigious Military Review, the Professional Journal of the U.S. Army. Gary Bloomfield is a former Army Journalist of the Year, and managing editor for VFW magazine. He was the senior editor for the two-volume illustrated series on WWII titled Faces of Victory. He wrote Duty, Honor, Victory: America’s Athletes in WWII followed by Duty, Honor, Applause: America’s Entertainers in WWII which he co-wrote. His other books include Maxims of General Patton, the citizenship study guide, I Will be an American Someday Soon, illustrated bios on George Patton and Mark Twain (the latter co-written). He completed The Devil’s Playground, about the Korean DMZ, in the Summer of 2019, and The One, a compilation of stories from military doctors and nurses, published in the Spring of 2020.
"""Behncke and Bloomfield reveal deep emotional and physical scars that Custer carried away from the Civil War and the Indian Wars. Their meticulous research and engrossing writing bring Custer to vivid life, particularly in his relationship with his wife Libby.""-- ""The NYMAS Review"" ""This meticulous and engrossing history brings the George Armstrong Custer to vivid life especially his relationship with his wife Libby.""--David Marshall, President of the Miami Civil War Roundtable ""Co-authors Ted Behncke and Gary Bloomfield have created a revealing portrait of a complex soldier and his date with destiny.""-- ""Toy Soldier Collector & Historical Figures"" ""Their story is told here in a most exciting and interesting way. It is very hard to put down.""-- ""Old Barbed Wire"" ""This is a book worthy of review and discussion by maneuver commanders. The lessons brought forth regarding cultural differences, appreciation of enemy capabilities, force structure and political guidance are well covered.""-- ""ARMOR Magazine"" ""Ted Behncke and Gary Bloomfield remain faithful to the facts and enable the reader to better grasp the man as he was and the one he envisioned. Custer's personalities, beliefs and actions, or lack thereof, weave through each chapter, amid a lively and readable writing style that interlaces quotes and sources within the text.""-- ""Roundup Magazine"" ""Exceptional in comprehensiveness and presentation...""-- ""Midwest Book Review"""