Unit Bios
Meet the elite men who earned both MacArthur's respect and the ire of Imperial Japanese forces.
The 511th PIR
Heroes of Los Baños"No one could have asked for finer fighting men.”- Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger, U.S. Eighth Army
Meet the Angels
MacArthur's secret weapon and heroes of the Los Baños Raid, the 511th Parachute Infantry Division fought with distinction during the vicious Leyte and Luzon campaigns where many 511th units received Presidential Unit citations. The regiment, led by Colonel Orin "Hard Rock" Haugen helped save the United States Airborne, liberate Manila, rescued 2,147 internees at the Los Baños prison camp, were the first full unit into Japan at the end of World War II, formed General MacArthur's Honor Guard and protected the Allied dignitaries during the surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri.
And their average age was 21.
In this book you will learn about one of America's most elite fighting forces and one of the only parachute units to fight in the Pacific Theater. Their loyalty to each other, ability to endure combat's harsh realities and the emotional struggles they faced to help win the war has earned the 511th PIR the nickname, "The Band of Brothers of the Pacific."
Regimental History
Follow the heroes of the Los Baños raid from Camp Toccoa, Georgia to Tokyo, Japan with this interactive timeline.
Honor Wall
Did your family member serve with the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment? Submit their stories, interviews and photos here so they may join their fellow Angels.
From Toccoa to Tokyo
Regiment activated at Camp Toccoa, GA on January 5, 1943 under Col. Orin D. "Hard Rock" Haugen
Average age in the 511 PIR was was 21
204 days of combat, 13 Unit Citations, 3 battle stars, 1,100 casualties
The Angels liberated 2,147 civilians at the Los Banos prison camp on February 23, 1945
Medals of Honor-2; Distinguished Service Cross-9; Silver Star-432; Legion of Merit-10; Soldiers Medal-56; Bronze Star Medal-1,515; Air Medal-41
First full foreign regiment to ever land on Japan
The Author
Author & American bobsled athlete & former head coach Jeremy C. Holm was born in Pennsylvania near Valley Forge of Revolutionary War-stock. Jeremy's grandfather 1st Lieutenant Andrew Carrico, III of Company D fought with the 511th PIR and Jeremy dropped all other projects to tell the regiment's history. He has a degree in Journalism and is pursuing a degree in Military History at the American Military University. In addition to motivational speaking and corporate appearances, Jeremy is the author of two additional books available here and spends his time camping, hiking, writing and trying to make history, one day at a time.
Jeremy C. Holm
