Toyn, Gary W. 1961-

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Toyn, Gary W. 1961-

PERSONAL:

Born August 17, 1961, in Huntsville, UT; son of Robert (a teacher) and Joy (a secretary) Toyn; married August 26, 1981; wife's name Danita; children: Lyndsee, Trevour, Hether, Kelcee. Education: Weber State University, B.S., 1991. Politics: Republican. Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).

CAREER:

Weber State University, Ogden, UT, teacher of broadcasting, 1999—. Worked as journalist with United Press International and American Broadcasting Companies' radio network; sports reporter specializing in professional basketball. Also works as video producer.

WRITINGS:

(Editor and design artist) God Isn't Here: A Young American's Entry into World War II, and His Participation in the Battle for Iwo Jima, American Legacy Media (Clearfield, UT), 2004.

(Editor) Weber's World War II Memories, Weber State University Press (Ogden, UT), 2004.

The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima, American Legacy Media (Clearfield, UT), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

Gary W. Toyn told CA: "George Wahlen landed on Iwo Jima attached to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines. As a corpsman he saved countless lives, endured multiple injuries, and refused to leave his comrades until he was forcefully carried away on a stretcher. Those who witnessed his heroics remain dumbfounded that he survived. George received the Medal of Honor from Harry Truman in 1945 and seemingly overnight disappeared into virtual anonymity. It's been more than sixty years since he left the island, and family and friends finally convinced George to tell his story before he takes it with him to his grave. I was asked to piece together the puzzle. The result of this collaboration is The Quiet Hero: The Untold Medal of Honor Story of George E. Wahlen at the Battle for Iwo Jima."

Of himself, Toyn wrote: "At age seventeen I stumbled wide-eyed into the locker room of the Utah Jazz to interview NBA great Pete Maravich. Although I was accosted for entering a prohibited area, my determination landed me an exclusive interview. Since that initial journalistic success, writing has been an ongoing passion.

"I have lived a somewhat peripatetic life, having traveled the world for a variety of reasons. As a young man I boarded a C-5 transport plane for my first gig in Europe. I then spent several years entertaining troops with the United Service Organizations. I have spanned the globe, been launched off aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf, survived a helicopter crash in the jungles of Honduras. That exposure to military life galvanized my desire to support those who serve in the American armed forces.

"After studying broadcast communication and sociology at Weber State University, I became involved in international politics. I organized a worldwide moment of silence for the slain Chinese students at Tiananmen Square. I spearheaded an effort to collect millions of textbooks for fledgling democracies in Eastern Europe. I organized an effort to collect and deliver vital medical supplies to orphanages in Romania, and I developed a partnership that supported the first private university in the Soviet Union.

"Through these efforts I became a video producer, using my writing abilities to tell stories on the small screen. I have met and interviewed heads of state, key government figures, and political dissidents around the world. Combining my performing and writing skills, I became a public speaker. Currently I divide my time between being a parent of four children, writing, teaching, and volunteering.

"I spent over two years researching the battle for Iwo Jima, and I am a licensed researcher with the National Archives. My writings are influenced by historian Stephen Ambrose, distant relative Arnold Toynbee, and Utah author Dean Hughes."