O'Hara's Choice / Leon Uris 392 p. American historical fiction challenge

Zachary O'Hara, son of a legendary Marine (as well as one of the first), practically grew up in the Marines.  He is dedicated to the Corp. as was his father Paddy. Paddy won the second Congressional Medal of Honor.  Every year men Paddy saved during battles have a reunion.  Now that the Civil War is over, the Marines are being downsized.  Zachary joins the struggle to keep the Marine Corps alive after the Civil War.   He takes on a giant task that will greatly promote his career.  What he doesn't count on is falling in love with Amanda Kerr.  Both his commanding officers and her rich father are against this relationship.  When she breaks off all contact with him, she develops into a strong woman determined to build a women's college.  Interwoven into the plot, is his desire to keep a deep, dark secret.  The story jumps back and forth in history to tell the need and abilities of the Marine Corp, the fight to keep the Corp alive, the future warfare and battle plans, and the love story.  This was Leon Uris last novel, published after his death.  For a great story about the Marines, turn to his early work, Battle Cry.