Down From Heaven - The 11th Airborne Division in World War II & Beyond
The Legacy of the 11th Airborne Division - 2023 11th Airborne Association Speech
September 17, 202325 min · 3,874 words
Show notes
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.
Highlighted moments
When his bodyguard, Private Clifford Servius, suggested the general remove his stars, the general said, nothing doing. With a few other colorful words added in. So a Japanese sniper fired a shot right between the general and Private Servius, and the private said, general, I don't care if you get hit, but you are drawing fire in my direction.
“A wounded Francis Perez begged his comrades to shoot him rather than leave him for the Japanese. As 1st Platoon's remaining troopers moved out, Newton Terry refused to go, saying, I cannot leave my friend Francis behind. Neither were ever seen again.”
“One angel said at his 100th birthday party, Thank you for talking to me about the war. All my buddies are dead. I have no one left to talk to. Thank you for telling our story.”
“This soil was taken from the drop zone where Company B of the 511th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division, jumped on February 23, 1945, to liberate the Los Banos Internment Camp internees.”
Transcript
Transcript not available for this episode yet.
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