Down From Heaven - The 11th Airborne Division in World War II & Beyond

In this episode, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm takes us on a journey back to 1945 during the first days of the Angels' vicious campaign to retake the island of Luzon from the grip of Imperial Japan in World War II. On 31 January 1945, the peaceful morning along the beaches of Nasugbu was shattered by the thunder of United States Naval guns and rockets. Higgins boats full of...

In this episode, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm takes us on a journey back to 1944 during the height of the Angels' vicious battles to retake the island of Leyte from the grip of Imperial Japan in World War II. During this campaign, the 11th Airborne setup a crucial forward position on a plateau that the locals called "Manarawat". Without this critical location, the...

In this episode, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm shares a special Christmas message that he prepared for the Arctic Angels of the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment based out of JBER in Anchorage, Alaska.  The 1/40 has a long, distinguished history of service to our nation, and Jeremy was honored to share this speech with them to help celebrate the holidays, along with an exciting...

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 Ang...

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 i...

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 train...

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 n...

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...

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 Pu...

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 spee...

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 d...

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 se...

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 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 ef...

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...

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...

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 fro...

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,...