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America's Most Elite Paratrooper Regiment

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.

When Angels Fall: The 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II 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.

Advanced Praise for When Angels Fall:

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading When Angels Fall. I believe it to be a significant contribution to Army and national history. Jeremy has done himself, his grandfather and all the soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division good with his writing." -Major-General Albin Wheeler, Commander, Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)

"I don't do much reading nowadays, but I could not put this book down. And that is saying a lot coming from a Navy man in regards to an Army book." -Rear Admiral Edward Kristensen, Commander Combat Logistics Group Two

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

Hear Their Stories, Read the Book

#1 1LT Andrew Carrico III, 511th Parachute Infantry, D Company

#2 1LT Andrew Carrico III, 511th Parachute Infantry, D Company

1Sgt. William "Bill" Dubes, 511th Parachute Infantry, D Company

S/Sgt. Floyd Zobel, 511th Parachute Infantry, H & I Companies

T-5 Bruce Cook, 11th Airborne & 82nd Airborne

PVT Frank Krhovsky, 511th Parachute Infantry, C Company

T-5 Lloyd Wade, 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion

Sgt. Henry Francis Sleasman, 472nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion

CPL Fred Stafford, 511th Parachute Infantry, B Company

SGT Richard Penwell, 511th Parachute Infantry, B & I Companies

PFC Steve Hegedus, 511th Parachute Infantry, A Company

Earl Jeffers, 188th Glider Infantry, HQ1

Leyte, Luzon, Japan

Aerial Resupply and Medivac, Leyte, December 1944

Drive on Manila, including 511th PIR jump on Tagaytay Ridge, Luzon, January 1945

Nasugbu Landings, Luzon, January 31, 1945

Nasugbu Landings, Luzon, January 31, 1945

Raid on Los Banos, Luzon, February 22, 1945

Review of Raid on Los Banos, Luzon, February 22, 1945

Attack on Hill 2380, Southern Luzon, April 1945

Kay Keiser USO Show, Lipa, Luzon, Summer 1945

Aparri "Task Force Gypsy" Operation, Luzon, June 23, 1945

11th Airborne emplanning on Okinawa, August 1945

11th Airborne troops land at Atsugi, Japan airfield on August 30, 1945

Occupation of Japan Military Film

And Beyond

11th ABN Command Sergeant Major Herbet Shapiro, Arlington funeral, December 1944

Drive on Manila, including 511th PIR jump on Tagaytay Ridge, Luzon, January 1945