Down From Heaven - The 11th Airborne Division in World War II & Beyond
HistorieJoin historian and author Jeremy C. Holm as we discover the men and history of the legendary 11th Airborne Division in World War II, Korea and beyond! In this podcast, we'll cover a wide range of topics including the division's stateside training, their campaigns to liberate Leyte and Luzon from Imperial Japan, their historic statues as the first Allied unit to land in Japan for Occupation Duty and more.No wonder US Eighth Army's General Robert L. Eichelberger said of the Angels, "No one could have asked for finer fighting men.”Jeremy is the son of 1LT Andrew Carrico who fought with the 11th Airborne in WWII. Utilizing interviews with the last living members of the World War II-era Angels, Jeremy has published three highly acclaimed books on the Angels and frequently travels to lecture on the 11th Airborne. For more information visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com.
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- The Rat's Ass Charge: 35 Paratroopers vs. 150 Japanese Soldiers in World War II (00:38:55)
On December 22, 1944, 35 Paratroopers from 1st Platoon, Company D, 511th PIR, 11th Airborne Division found themselves engaged with over 150 Japanese soldiers on the island of Leyte. When the platoon became pinned down, PFC John "Bad Soldier" Bittorie yelled at the enemy before firing two longs bursts from his Browning machine gun. John then charged the Japanese, inspiring his fellow Angels to "perform a Banzai charge of their own"! Discover the full story of the 11th Airborne's Ra...
- The Battle of the Stone Courtyard (00:28:11)
Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm as we dive into the 511th PIR's Battle of the Stone Courtyard during the Battle for Manila in World War II! As the 11th Airborne Division pressed north towards Manila, the Angels discovered that the main bridge over the Imus river had been blown by the Japanese. To secure a secondary crossing that was critical to the division's drive into the city, Company D of the 511th PIR was sent to Imus to prevent Japanese forces from destroying this ...
- Camp Toccoa: One Camp's Big Impact on World War II (00:24:41)
Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm for this special presentation originally given during the dinner banquet for Toccoa, Georgia's famous 2023 World War II Weekend. Jeremy was invited to speak on the impact that Camp Toccoa had on both the airborne and the outcome of the war. Attending the dinner were several Children of Currahee, descendants of original Toccoa Men who trained at the camp, including children of the 506th PIR's famous "Band of Brothers". Additionally, t...
- PFC Manuel Pérez, Medal of Honor - One Paratrooper's Assault on Fort McKinley in 1945 (00:52:31)
Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm as we discover the story of Private First Class Manuel Pérez, a Paratrooper from the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, whose incredible actions on February 13, 1945 would earn this Angel the Medal of Honor. As one newspaper put it, "he fought with the strength of one hundred supermen." Manuel's story has never been fully told like this before and it is an honor and our privilege to do so. It is the story of a firs...
- Private Elmer Fryar, Medal of Honor - One Angel's Incredible Fight on Leyte in 1944 (00:38:23)
Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm as we discover the story of Private Elmer Fryar, a Paratrooper from the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, whose incredible actions on December 8, 1944 would earn this former Marine the Medal of Honor. Elmer's story has never been fully told like this before and it is an honor and our privilege to do so. This is the story of a national hero, a story that deserves to be told and retold. Elmer Edward Fry...
- General Joseph Swing, the Father of the 11th Airborne Division - Part 1 (00:53:44)
In this episode, show host and 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm delves into the life of Major General Joseph May Swing, the Father of the 11th Airborne Division. Known as "Jumping Joe" to his men, General Swing is a legend in America's airborne history and this episode will cover the first half of his military service, including his experiences in Mexico during the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa and in France during World War I. We'll also follow young Joe Swin...
- The Legacy of the 11th Airborne Division - 2023 11th Airborne Association Speech (00:25:19)
This speech was given by 11th Airborne Division historian and author Jeremy C. Holm on September 14, 2023 at the 2023 11th Airborne Division Association Reunion held at Sam's Town Gambling Hall and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jeremy was honored to address the 11th Airborne Division Angels from WWII to today in attendance, as well as their wives, families and airborne supporters. In this speech, Jeremy touches on the legacy of the 11th Airborne Division from 1943 through today and expl...
- The 11th Airborne Division in World War II - Roanoke, VA Lecture (01:17:40)
This episode is a recording of a lecture on the 11th Airborne Division in World War II given by show host, historian and author Jeremy C. Holm in Roanoke, Virginia in 2021. Jeremy's grandmother lives in Roanoke and the lecture was given for her community to honor her efforts to preserve the history of the Angels from World War II through today. In this lecture you'll learn fascinating details about the origins of the 11th Airborne Division, with a focus on the 511th Parachute Infantry ...
- A Platoon Leader's Perspective - Interviewing WWII Paratrooper 1LT Andrew Carrico of the 511th PIR (01:37:04)
In this episode, show host and historian Jeremy C. Holm shares the first interview he ever performed with one of the 11th Airborne Division Angels, his own grandfather 1LT Andrew Carrico of Company D, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Originally recorded on September 30, 2010, Jeremy sat down with "Andy" to discuss his early days in the United States Army before Pearl Harbor when he served in the 1st and 5th Armored Divisions. Growing "tired" of the armored life, Andy decided that th...
- Remembering Private Delbert "Bob" Hayes (00:40:20)
In this episode, show host and 11th Airborne historian Jeremy C. Holm honors PVT Delbert "Bob" Hayes of Valparaiso, Indiana. Private Hayes served in the 11th Airborne Division in Company D of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment before he was killed on August 12, 1945 at Lipa, Luzon during World War II. Valparaiso's VFW Post 988 is named after this young American who gave his life in the service of his country and Jeremy recorded this episode for VFW Post 988's members and Bob's family. &nb...
- Task Force Gypsy: The Last Airborne Operation of World War II (00:41:14)
In this episode, show host and 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm discusses the final Allied airborne operation of World War II, Task Force Gypsy. Jeremy is excited to share with you the history of this often-overlooked airborne operation from June of 1945. In this video you'll learn about the 11th Airborne Division's mission to seal off Luzon's Cagayan Valley in an effort to prevent Japanese forces from moving towards Aparri for a potential "Dunkirk" rescue. After ...
- Japan's Surrender and The 11th Airborne's Landings at Atsugi (00:54:21)
In this episode, show host and 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm covers the Angels' often-overlooked involvement in the historic surrender of Japan. This will include how the 11th Airborne was the first full Allied unit to land on Japan during their daring landings at the Atsugi airfield on August 30, 1945. The Angels then formed an Honor Guard for General Douglas MacArthur to protect the general, his family and other dignitaries before the Surrender Ceremony onboard the ...
- When Angels Fell in World War II (00:33:34)
In this episode, show host and 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm tells the full story of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the "Pacific Theater's Band of Brothers." Jeremy's grandfather, 1LT Andrew Carrico, served in the 511th PIR during the war as a Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer. After a lifetime of talking about the war, Jeremy promised his grandfather that he would write their history so the world could know "what we did over there and what our budd...
- Rod Serling, the Twilight Zone and the 11th Airborne Division (00:55:18)
In this episode, show host and 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm recounts the military service of Rod Serling, "Hollywood's Angry Man", who served in the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, during World War II. You'll learn about Rod's exploits as a Paratrooper in the Pacific Theater as the Angels fought to liberate Leyte and Luzon from the grip of Imperial Japan. You'll also hear stories that lead to Rod's dark memories of combat which influenced h...
- 11th Airborne Division Facts in 11th Minutes (00:13:13)
In this introductory podcast, historian and show host Jeremy C. Holm provides us with 11 fascinating pieces of 11th Airborne Division history from World War II through today in just 11 minutes... give or take. You'll learn about the 11th Airborne's first days at Camp Mackall, North Carolina in World War II as well as their bloody campaigns to liberate Leyte and Luzon from Imperial Japan, including their famous raid on the Los Banos Internment Camp in 1945 before the Angels went on to become...