The Angels
Trouble-makers. Thieves. Hell-raisers. Heroes.
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 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 who tells the full story of a group of America’s heroes, the elite Angels, in World War II.
Praising Angels
Testimonials
An excellent, interesting and well-researched read about the other ‘Band of Brothers’, the heart of the only US Airborne Division, the 11th, who fought the Japanese in the Pacific Theater. Great reading for any student of history, World War II or men in combat.
Ralph - Amazon Reader
I enjoyed your book so much. I went to North Georgia College (the West Point of the south), and got my commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army. You wrote WHEN ANGELS FALL in a manner that any ex military person could relate to. I am so impressed with your attention to detail and your writing skills. Thank you for writing this great book! I would love for you to let me know if you write another one.
Sam Prince - Reader
In this day and age, it's rare to find such detailed, factual and virtually UNKNOWN World War II history. The author has done a superb job telling the story of the men behind the Los Banos raid.
Matt - Grandson of 511th Paratrooper
WHEN ANGELS FALL is a very informative book with a great writing style. It makes you feel like you know the men and can put yourself in their shoes. It is a unique part of WWII history. I love the personal touches with Jeremy's grandfather and his buddies. It brings the story home, as well as the documentation of the unit as a whole. I can't wait to finish the book. Congratulations on a great book and story of American military history.
CWO-2 Randall Plese - 173rd Airborne, Vietnam
My grandfather was a BAR man in the 11th Airborne in WWII and fought in the Philippines. There is very little written about this nearly forgotten unit, but I have read just about everything I can find on it. I found these books in early December and was incredibly surprised to find what I've always been looking for. "When Angels Fall" is an extremely well written history with personal accounts and stories linked with facts and dates, so that you build a bond with the people involved. It's a compassionate work to tell the untold stories of the veterans who fought in the Pacific in the 11th Airborne. It is the Pacific's Band of Brothers. I cannot recommend it enough! I'm working on "Down From Heaven" at the moment and it is written with the same care towards detail and making the story digestible and riveting. Jeremy C. Holm has done for the 11th Airborne what Stephen Ambrose did for the 101st Airborne. Do not miss these books!