We are deeply indebted to each author who contributed to this volume. All have contributed to present important perspectives in the areas of their individual expertise. Each has produced a scholarly yet faithful treatment of his subject. In the editing process, every effort has been made to retain the message of each author while dealing with sometimes sensitive issues which the topic of war is inclined to produce. Each author has been flexible and supportive in this regard. We hope that the product of this collaborative effort will be a volume that can fill a useful niche in Latter-day Saint historical literature.

Sincere thanks are expressed to the Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University. Led by Dr. Richard Holzapfel, this team of professionals includes Devan Jensen, Joany Pinegar, and bright student researchers and others who have greatly assisted in bringing this work to completion. Thanks, too, for the services Dr. Don Norton, professor emeritus at BYU, for his careful review of much of this volume. An expert in veteran research, Don has contributed much to the research efforts of the Saints at War project. We are also grateful to the administration of Religious Education and the Department of Church History and Doctrine for their ongoing support of such research activities as the Saints at War project.

Gratitude is also extended to the fine students of the Saints at War research staff who have labored so ably to assist in the exhaustive research, writing, and compilation efforts related to this book. Included in this group of contributors are Ryan Aldredge, Jessica Brown, Jenny Curlee, Jon Felt, Robert Hall, Jeff Jenson, Marianne Myers, Zach Smith, Jason Thompson, Brian Warburton, Eliot Wilcox, Chris Winters, Paola Velez, and Mike Winchester.

Much of the source information and factual background for introductions to chapters and some sidebars were drawn from John Whiteclay Chambers II, ed., The Oxford Companion to American Military History (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999). Finally, thanks to Dr. Dennis Wright, cofounder of the Saints at War project. His energy and ability have shaped so much of the success of the research inspiring this volume.