Geronimo!
was one word inscription that now graces my copy of the book “AIRBORNE” It’s also a very meaningful word to those thousands and thousands of Soldiers who have jumped and will jump out of a perfectly good airplane flying in the sky.
Recently, I was fortunate to spend some precious time with two distinguished authors and retired US Army officers on my research trip to the Southeast… Both officers have had very outstanding careers and great service to the United States of America. It was an honor to have them both share small glimpses of over fifty years combined military service in the short time we spent… Parachute equipped Soldiers got their beginnings in WW II - several years ago, I’ve been fortunate to spend a short time with one of the icons of those formative years. Here again in-person, I was able to spend fleeting moments with two more who had lived the experiences and spent the time to write about “Soldiers from the Sky…”
I was intrigued by the way each chronicled their views of one of the elements that has provided the US military a key offensive advantage – the ability to quickly mobilize and insert troops where needed.
Paratrooper!
It was 1979 when the book “PARATROOPER” written by Major Gerard M. Devlin, US Army (Ret.) was published. The Major spent 20 years of active duty service – he began that service by jumping out of airplanes. So he has first hand knowledge which he combined with extensive research and interviews. Major Devlin is highly decorated for his combat involvements which include The Distinguished Service Cross, five Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry and the Combat Infantryman Badge with star.
Airborne
It was 2002 when “AIRBORNE” written by LTG E. M. “Fly” Flanagan US Army (Ret.) hit the mark with a comprehensive history of the elite parachute equipped Soldiers and their growing successes over the 60 plus years that these tactics have become the mainstay of military actions. General Flanagan, a native of Saugerties, NY and a West Point graduate (class of 1943) saw combat action in WW II, and commanded in Korea and Vietnam. His 36 years of service to the United States provides a great foundation to deliver many keen insights to the topic of the airborne Soldier.
MAJ Gerard M. Devlin USA (Ret.), John Michael, LTG E.M. "Fly" Flanagan, Jr. USA (Ret.)
They both gave me insights to the publishing process while interspersing anecdotes and historical tidbits of their service to the United States. I was able to share with them some of the work I’ve done since 2000 and the current focus on the Presidential Salute Battery. I was honored that they both signed the copies of their books that I had brought along with me and spent as much time as they did!
Tags: Airborne, E. M. Flanagan Jr., Gerard M Devlin, Geronimo!, Korean War, Paratrooper, US Army, WW II
