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Paratrooper!: The Saga Of U.S. Army And Marine Parachute And Glider Combat Troops During World War II
Book by Devlin, Gerard
736 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1979
19 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Gerard M. Devlin
3 books1 followerGerard Devlin was born to Ann and Patrick Devlin of Waltham, Mass. When the Korean War started in 1950, he joined the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen. Upon completion of basic training and jump school he volunteered for Korea where he served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team.
Devlin stayed in the Army after Korea. In the years between his tour in Korea and his two tours in South Vietnam he earned a bachelor's degree and attended Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry in 1958. Devlin also attended the Army language institute where he learned Vietnamese.
Gerard Devlin served two tours in South Vietnam. One as chief advisor to the famed 44th 'Black Tiger' Vietnamese Ranger Battalion, whom he accompanied to the field on their combat patrols, guiding their tactics and supporting with air and artillery assets. During this tour Jerry received the terrible wounds, from which he was not expected to recover.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 13-14 October, 1965 when he had to take command of the Ranger Battalion while it was under heavy enemy attack The same action in which he was so badly injured.
After a year's hospitalization and another lengthy recovery period, Jerry Devlin resumed active duty. He returned to Vietnam for a second tour in 1967, serving with the 25th Infantry Division.
Gerard Devlin served 20 years in the U.S. Army from 1950-1970. He retired with the rank of Major.
Among his decorations, Major Devlin is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, five Bronze Stars (with the V device), the Purple Heart two Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry, Ranger Tab and the Combat Infantryman's Badge with star (2nd award).
After retiring from the US Army, he became an airborne and military historian and author of three books: "Back to Corregidor: America Retakes the Rock" (1992),
"Silent Wings: The Saga of the U.S. Army and Marine Combat Glider Pilots During World War II" (1985)
"Paratrooper: Saga of Parachute and Glider Combat Troops During World War II" (1979)
In 1995 Major Devlin was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia.
He passed away on November 11th, 2016, at the age of 83. Appropriately enough Veterans Day.
Devlin stayed in the Army after Korea. In the years between his tour in Korea and his two tours in South Vietnam he earned a bachelor's degree and attended Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry in 1958. Devlin also attended the Army language institute where he learned Vietnamese.
Gerard Devlin served two tours in South Vietnam. One as chief advisor to the famed 44th 'Black Tiger' Vietnamese Ranger Battalion, whom he accompanied to the field on their combat patrols, guiding their tactics and supporting with air and artillery assets. During this tour Jerry received the terrible wounds, from which he was not expected to recover.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 13-14 October, 1965 when he had to take command of the Ranger Battalion while it was under heavy enemy attack The same action in which he was so badly injured.
After a year's hospitalization and another lengthy recovery period, Jerry Devlin resumed active duty. He returned to Vietnam for a second tour in 1967, serving with the 25th Infantry Division.
Gerard Devlin served 20 years in the U.S. Army from 1950-1970. He retired with the rank of Major.
Among his decorations, Major Devlin is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, five Bronze Stars (with the V device), the Purple Heart two Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry, Ranger Tab and the Combat Infantryman's Badge with star (2nd award).
After retiring from the US Army, he became an airborne and military historian and author of three books: "Back to Corregidor: America Retakes the Rock" (1992),
"Silent Wings: The Saga of the U.S. Army and Marine Combat Glider Pilots During World War II" (1985)
"Paratrooper: Saga of Parachute and Glider Combat Troops During World War II" (1979)
In 1995 Major Devlin was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia.
He passed away on November 11th, 2016, at the age of 83. Appropriately enough Veterans Day.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 8, 2020
Great historical chronology
A very detailed and complete history of the WW2 Airborne forces. The book provided in depth knowledge from conceptual foundation right through to the last units participation in the war.
A very detailed and complete history of the WW2 Airborne forces. The book provided in depth knowledge from conceptual foundation right through to the last units participation in the war.
July 25, 2023
A magnificent book,especially if you ever wanted to know how airborne units were formed and developed into the special units they are today. A long read but very,very informative. A must read for
anybody qualifed to wear jump wings. This old paratrooper of the 173rd Abn Bde (SEP) will win many bar bets with this knowledge in hand!
AIRBORNE......ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!!!
anybody qualifed to wear jump wings. This old paratrooper of the 173rd Abn Bde (SEP) will win many bar bets with this knowledge in hand!
AIRBORNE......ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!!!
July 1, 2017
Good overview of all theatres
November 21, 2017
this is my 3rd time reading this book. I never tire, reading the history of our US Airborne history. 16 years on Jump status.
October 30, 2007
It begins rather well. I'm most fascinated with the stories of how special types of troops were developed and initially organized. Without any idea about how such troops were to be employed, training, doctrine and equipment had essentially to be developed in a vacuum. Devlin does good justice to this story, particularly of the original Parachute Test Platoon.
Once the Airborne divisions are deployed, however, the book becomes much more of a survey of general Second World War history, with several annoying excursions into entirely non-airborne related politics. Devlin certainly tells a good story, but the book is called 'Paratrooper', not 'Negotiating with the Italians.' Market-Garden and other later ETO drops also seem to get less treatment.
The book does remain much more focused when dealing with the rather more limited role of paratroopers in the PTO, bringing up the more philosophical question: how far do you cover the actions of Airborne or Glider units that never dropped, but fought entirely as leg infantry?
Worth a good skim, especially in the beginning, but you'd be better off reading “A Bridge Too Far” and some of Ruggero's new books.
Once the Airborne divisions are deployed, however, the book becomes much more of a survey of general Second World War history, with several annoying excursions into entirely non-airborne related politics. Devlin certainly tells a good story, but the book is called 'Paratrooper', not 'Negotiating with the Italians.' Market-Garden and other later ETO drops also seem to get less treatment.
The book does remain much more focused when dealing with the rather more limited role of paratroopers in the PTO, bringing up the more philosophical question: how far do you cover the actions of Airborne or Glider units that never dropped, but fought entirely as leg infantry?
Worth a good skim, especially in the beginning, but you'd be better off reading “A Bridge Too Far” and some of Ruggero's new books.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews