A Platoon Leader's Perspective - Interviewing WWII Paratrooper 1LT Andrew Carrico of the 511th PIR

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 the Paratroopers were more his speed and he soon found himself fighting with the 11th Airborne in the Pacific Theater.

Trained at Fort Benning, Andy transferred to the 511th at Camp Mackall then participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers before heading to Camp Stoneman, California. After sailing to New Guinea, the 511th trained at Dobodura until they sailed to Leyte where they fought a brutal campaign across the island's jungle-covered mountains.

After Leyte, Andy and the 511th jumped on Tagaytay Ridge, Luzon, then fought north to liberate Manila, including the famous rescue operation at Los Baños of 2,147 internees. After Luzon was declared secure, the regiment prepared for the invasion of Japan, but Japan surrendered and Andy's 11th Airborne provided the Honor Guard for General Douglas MacArthur aboard the USS Missouri and was the first full regiment to land on Japan.

But before all that, Andy was wounded and nearly killed on Luzon at the Battle of Mt. Bijang on March 13, 1945. He lived a long, wonderful life as a father, husband and grandfather, passing away on October 13, 2016 at age 98.

To read more of Andy's story as well as those of his comrades in the 511th PIR, please click here - http://www.511pir.com/videos

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Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!