"We Were The Best There Ever Was." 
511th PIR & 11th Airborne Books
About the Book:
Formed at Camp Toccoa, GA, the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, “the Angels”, fought with distinction during 204 days of combat in the Pacific. The first full unit to land on Japan, the regiment was led by Colonel Orin D. "Hard Rock" Haugen and saved the United States Airborne, destroyed 5,760 of the enemy on Leyte, liberated Manila, rescued 2,147 civilians at Los Baños, formed General Douglas MacArthur's Honor Guard and protected the surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri.
And their average age was 21.
This book, WHEN ANGELS FALL: THE 511TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY IN WORLD WAR II, covers one of the only parachute units to fight in the Pacific Theater. Their loyalty to each other, their ability to endure war's harsh realities and the emotional struggles they faced forged bonds of brotherhood that led them to be called, “The Band of Brothers of the Pacific.”
Utilizing firsthand experiences and interviews, including his grandfather 1st Lieutenant Andrew Carrico of Company D, When Angels Fall is a masterful narrative by a former journalist and historian, Jeremy C. Holm, who tells the full story of a group of America’s heroes, the elite Angels, in World War II.
- PAGES: 349
- AGES: 12+
- LANGUAGE: English
- FIRST PUBLISHED: March 27, 2020
- Download Book Sample
About the Book Series:
11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm's highly-acclaimed DOWN FROM HEAVEN book series has been read all over the world and has received praise from historians, 11th Airborne Division veterans, World War II and airborne enthusiasts and general readers. It has become THE bookshelf reference guide for all things 11th Airborne in World War II and beyond.
Utilizing interviews with 11th Airborne Division veterans and tens of thousands of hours of research in archives, Jeremy has produced this multi-volume series to help the world, and the decendents of Angels, learn more about the might 11th Airborne in World War II, Korea, Fort Campbell, Germany and more. He plans to continue this series through the Vietnam War and up to our modern Arctic Angels based in Alaska at this time.
This DOWN FROM HEAVEN: THE 11TH AIRBORNE DIVISION series has left the children and grandchildren of veteran Angels in tears as they read about what their father or grandfather did in the service of their country. These are the perfect gifts for anyone who loves history, especially American and military history.
Plus, your purchase of our DOWN FROM HEAVEN series helps support our continuing efforts to research, preserve and record the history of the 11th Airborne Division for future generations to access and enjoy. We deeply appreciate your continuing support.
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VOLUME I: TOCCOA TO LEYTE CAMPAIGN
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VOLUME 2: LUZON CAMPAIGN THROUGH OCCUPATION OF JAPAN
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MEET JEREMY C. HOLM
11th Airborne Division Historian • Author • Lecturer
Jeremy C. Holm has dedicated years to researching, preserving and sharing the remarkable history of the 11th Airborne Division and its legendary paratroopers. The grandson of 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment officer 1LT Andrew Carrico, Jeremy's connection to the Angels began as family history and grew into a lifelong mission to ensure their stories are remembered.
Through extensive archival research, interviews with some of the last surviving World War II veterans of the Division, published books, lectures, podcasts, films and the historical archive at 511PIR.com, Jeremy has become a recognized authority on the 11th Airborne Division in World War II and the decades that followed.
The Historian
Growing up with 11th Airborne Division veteran 1LT Andrew Carrico as his grandfather, Jeremy C. Holm's connection to the Angels began long before he ever thought of becoming a military historian. Around the family dinner table—and later during long conversations on Andy's beloved lanai—Jeremy heard firsthand stories about the war, the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and the men with whom his grandfather had served. As Jeremy grew older, those conversations became deeper and more detailed, creating treasured memories before Andy passed away in 2016.
That personal connection eventually grew into a much larger mission. Jeremy sought out and befriended surviving veterans of the 11th Airborne Division, interviewing some of the last living Angels of World War II and recording their experiences while it was still possible to hear those stories firsthand. Some entrusted Jeremy with memories of combat they had rarely—or sometimes never—shared with their own families. They also opened their personal collections, sharing photographs, letters, journals, maps, military documents and other materials that helped Jeremy better understand not only what the Division accomplished, but who these men were.
Over the years, Jeremy's research expanded far beyond oral history. He has spent countless hours studying original military records, unit reports, archival collections, personal papers, photographs and contemporary accounts while working with veterans, descendants, museums, researchers and historical organizations. That research has helped form the foundation for his books, lectures, podcasts, historical articles, veteran biographies and the extensive digital archive preserved through 511PIR.com.
While Jeremy's absolute specialty is the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, his research encompasses the broader history of the 11th Airborne Division—from its formation and training during World War II through combat in the Pacific, the occupation of Japan, the Korean War era and the Division's later history and legacy. His work continues today as new records, photographs and personal histories are discovered and preserved.
For Jeremy, however, the work has never simply been about dates, battles or military records. At its heart are the individual Angels themselves—especially those who never came home. Preserving their experiences, putting names and faces to their stories, and helping new generations understand what these men endured and accomplished has become one of the defining missions of his life.
“I do all of THIS because they did all of THAT for me.”
The Author
For Jeremy, writing has always been another way to preserve history. His books combine extensive archival research with the firsthand experiences of the men who lived the events, allowing the voices and personalities of the 11th Airborne Division's veterans to remain at the center of their own story.
His landmark work, When Angels Fall: From Toccoa to Tokyo, the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II, chronicles the remarkable wartime journey of the 511th PIR—from its formation and demanding airborne training through combat on Leyte and Luzon, the liberation of the Los Baños prison camp, and the occupation of Japan. Built from years of research and the accounts of the paratroopers themselves, the book tells the history of the regiment through the experiences of the men who served in its ranks.
Jeremy is also the author of the Down From Heaven series, which further explores the history, experiences and personalities of the 11th Airborne Division and preserves stories that might otherwise have disappeared with the passing of the World War II generation.
His approach to writing reflects the philosophy behind all of his historical work: history is ultimately about people. Battles, dates and military movements provide the framework, but it is the courage, humor, fear, sacrifice, friendships and individual experiences of the Angels that bring their history to life.
Through his books, Jeremy hopes not only to document what the 11th Airborne Division accomplished, but to introduce new generations to the men behind those accomplishments—and ensure that their stories continue to be told long after the last of the Angels are gone.
The Speaker and Lecturer
For nearly three decades, Jeremy C. Holm has shared stories of courage, sacrifice, leadership and resilience with audiences across the country. As a military historian and author, Jeremy brings the history of the 11th Airborne Division out of the archives and into the room—combining extensive research, rare photographs, original records and the firsthand accounts of the veterans he has personally interviewed.
Jeremy has presented programs for military museums, historical organizations, military audiences, libraries, veterans groups and community organizations, sharing everything from the sweeping story of the 11th Airborne Division in World War II to the deeply personal experiences of individual Angels who fought across the Pacific.
His presentations are built around one fundamental belief: the most powerful way to understand history is through the people who lived it. Rather than simply recounting dates, units and battlefield movements, Jeremy introduces audiences to the personalities behind the history—their humor and friendships, their fears and hardships, their extraordinary courage, and the sacrifices they made for one another.
Having spent years interviewing and building friendships with some of the last surviving veterans of the 11th Airborne Division, Jeremy is also able to share something increasingly rare: the stories and voices of the Angels themselves. Their experiences, combined with Jeremy's archival research and historical storytelling, create presentations designed to educate audiences while helping them develop a personal connection with the men whose history is being preserved.
BRING THE STORY OF THE ANGELS TO YOUR AUDIENCE
Jeremy is available for museum programs, military events, historical conferences, commemorations, veterans organizations, libraries, educational programs, podcasts, interviews and other special events throughout the United States.
Programs can range from broad presentations on the history of the 11th Airborne Division and 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment to specialized lectures examining individual campaigns, battles, personalities and chapters in the Division's remarkable history.
Many presentations can also be paired with an author meet-and-greet and book signing, giving attendees the opportunity to continue exploring the history through Jeremy's published works.
>a href="https://511pir.com/contact/contact-us.html" target="_blank">INVITE JEREMY TO SPEAK →
The Bobsled Pilot and Coach
Long before his work as a military historian became known to audiences around the country, Jeremy C. Holm was pursuing another passion—bobsled. As an athlete, Jeremy competed in one of the world's fastest and most demanding winter sports, where success requires far more than courage. It demands preparation, precision, trust, teamwork and the ability to perform when fractions of a second can separate success from failure.
Jeremy's experiences eventually took him from athlete to coach, including serving as Head Coach of the U.S. Adaptive Bobsled Team. Working with adaptive athletes added an entirely new dimension to his understanding of leadership and performance as he helped competitors confront physical limitations, setbacks, uncertainty and the intense pressures of international competition.
Those years provided Jeremy with a unique laboratory for understanding leadership, resilience, teamwork, goal setting and human performance. He saw firsthand how successful teams respond to adversity, how individuals rebuild confidence after failure, and how leaders can help people accomplish things they once believed were beyond their abilities.Long before his work as a military historian became known to audiences around the country, Jeremy C. Holm was pursuing another passion—bobsled. As an athlete, Jeremy competed in one of the world's fastest and most demanding winter sports, where success requires far more than courage. It demands preparation, precision, trust, teamwork and the ability to perform when fractions of a second can separate success from failure.
Jeremy's experiences eventually took him from athlete to coach, including serving as Head Coach of the U.S. Adaptive Bobsled Team. Working with adaptive athletes added an entirely new dimension to his understanding of leadership and performance as he helped competitors confront physical limitations, setbacks, uncertainty and the intense pressures of international competition.
Those years provided Jeremy with a unique laboratory for understanding leadership, resilience, teamwork, goal setting and human performance. He saw firsthand how successful teams respond to adversity, how individuals rebuild confidence after failure, and how leaders can help people accomplish things they once believed were beyond their abilities.
Today, Jeremy draws upon those experiences in his speaking and leadership programs, translating lessons learned from the ice into principles applicable to businesses, organizations, teams and individuals.
FROM THE ICE TO LEADERSHIP
Jeremy's bobsled and coaching experiences provide the foundation for presentations exploring leadership under pressure, building effective teams, overcoming adversity, pursuing ambitious goals, resilience, and performing when the stakes are high.
His unusual combination of experiences—as an athlete, coach, author, historian and storyteller—allows Jeremy to approach leadership from a perspective audiences don't encounter every day.
Today, Jeremy draws upon those experiences in his speaking and leadership programs, translating lessons learned from the ice into principles applicable to businesses, organizations, teams and individuals.
FROM THE ICE TO LEADERSHIP
Jeremy's bobsled and coaching experiences provide the foundation for presentations exploring leadership under pressure, building effective teams, overcoming adversity, pursuing ambitious goals, resilience, and performing when the stakes are high.
His unusual combination of experiences—as an athlete, coach, author, historian and storyteller—allows Jeremy to approach leadership from a perspective audiences don't encounter every day.
THE STORY CONTINUES
About Jeremy C. Holm
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HISTORIAN, AUTHOR & SPEAKER
What began with the stories of his grandfather, 1LT Andrew Carrico of the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, grew into a lifelong mission to preserve and share the history of the 11th Airborne Division and the remarkable men who served in its ranks. -
ATHLETE, COACH & LEADER
From racing bobsleds to coaching adaptive athletes on the international stage, Jeremy's experiences in sport have shaped his perspective on leadership, resilience, teamwork and what people can accomplish when they pursue something greater than themselves.
