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

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

Join 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.

Episodes

March 7, 2025 28 mins

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...

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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 ...

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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 t...

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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 natio...

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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 Vi...

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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 touche...

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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 o...

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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 A...

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August 5, 2023 40 mins

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 coun...

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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 f...

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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 f...

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July 29, 2023 33 mins

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 ...

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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 Jap...

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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 r...

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