Down From Heaven - The 11th Airborne Division in World War II & Beyond

Jeremy C. Holm
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  • History
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Join historian and author Jeremy C. Holm as we discover the men and history of the legendary 11th Airborne Division in World War II, Korea and beyond! In this podcast, we'll cover a wide range of topics including the division's stateside training, their campaigns to liberate Leyte and Luzon from Imperial Japan, their historic statues as the first Allied unit to land in Japan for Occupation Duty and more.No wonder US Eighth Army's General Robert L. Eichelberger said of the Angels, "No one could have asked for finer fighting men.”Jeremy is the son of 1LT Andrew Carrico who fought with the 11th Airborne in WWII. Utilizing interviews with the last living members of the World War II-era Angels, Jeremy has published three highly acclaimed books on the Angels and frequently travels to lecture on the 11th Airborne. For more information visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com. 

  1. May 1

    The Landings at Nasugbu - The 11th Airborne's Invasion of Southern Luzon in World War II

    In this episode, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm takes us on a journey back to 1945 during the first days of the Angels' vicious campaign to retake the island of Luzon from the grip of Imperial Japan in World War II. On 31 January 1945, the peaceful morning along the beaches of Nasugbu was shattered by the thunder of United States Naval guns and rockets. Higgins boats full of young 11th Airborne Division "Angels" motored to shore as Japanese artillery and machine guns opened up.  This was the thrilling beginning of the 11th Airborne Division's heroic efforts to free the Filipino people on Luzon  as the Angels liberated the towns of Nasugbu, Wawa, and Lian.  This is the story of an ampbibious assault during World War II that is often overlooked in the histories of the war and these young troopers from the 11th Airborne hit the beaches, under fire, with courage and determination and left a legacy that impacts millions of Filipinos from Nasugbu to Manila to this day.  For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com. You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv To purchase copies of Jeremy's books on the 11th Airborne Division, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00G3TNO0A/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=c7baae52-e150-4caf-86b1-990b2ef40772 Or to visit our full 11th Airborne Division online store, please visit: https://jeremycholmstore.square.site/11th-airborne-division-store Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way! Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

  2. Jan 15

    Manarawat: The 11th Airborne's Plateau in the Pacific in WWII

    In this episode, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm takes us on a journey back to 1944 during the height of the Angels' vicious battles to retake the island of Leyte from the grip of Imperial Japan in World War II. During this campaign, the 11th Airborne setup a crucial forward position on a plateau that the locals called "Manarawat". Without this critical location, the Angels' drive across the island would have stalled and the Division would have suffered more losses.  On Manarawat, the Angels hacked and blasted out an airstrip, setup a field hospital, a resupply dump, communications, and more, all while fending of enemy attacks and night infiltrations. Countless American lives were saved because of the facilities at and defenders of Manarawat. As one after action report noted, Manarawat “deserves to live in the memory of the Division forever.” Dive in to this in-depth look at the 11th Airborne Division's "Million Dollar Village", Manarawat.  Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

    Manarawat: The 11th Airborne's Plateau in the Pacific in WWII

  3. Jan 7

    Christmas Special: 1/40 "Denali" Artic Angels + 511th PIR History

    In this episode, 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm shares a special Christmas message that he prepared for the Arctic Angels of the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment based out of JBER in Anchorage, Alaska.  The 1/40 has a long, distinguished history of service to our nation, and Jeremy was honored to share this speech with them to help celebrate the holidays, along with an exciting announcement that you'll have to listen to find out!  For more 11th Airborne Division history, subscribe to this podcast or visit www.511pir.com or www.11thAirborne.com today! Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way! Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

    Christmas Special: 1/40 "Denali" Artic Angels + 511th PIR History

  4. 09/18/2025

    The Rat's Ass Charge: 35 Paratroopers vs. 150 Japanese Soldiers in World War II

    On December 22, 1944, 35 Paratroopers from 1st Platoon, Company D, 511th PIR, 11th Airborne Division found themselves engaged with over 150 Japanese soldiers on the island of Leyte.  When the platoon became pinned down, PFC John "Bad Soldier" Bittorie yelled at the enemy before firing two longs bursts from his Browning machine gun. John then charged the Japanese, inspiring his fellow Angels to "perform a Banzai charge of their own"!  Discover the full story of the 11th Airborne's Rats Ass Charge that broke through the enemy's last lines of resistance on Leyte and allowed the Angels to reach friendly lines, just in time for Christmas of 1944.   To learn more about the 511th PIR in World War II, visit www.511pir.com To purchase 11th Airborne Division gifts and signed copies of our books on the Angels, please visit www.11thairbornestore.com today!  Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way! Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

    The Rat's Ass Charge: 35 Paratroopers vs. 150 Japanese Soldiers in World War II

  5. 03/07/2025

    The Battle of the Stone Courtyard

    Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm as we dive into the 511th PIR's Battle of the Stone Courtyard during the Battle for Manila in World War II! As the 11th Airborne Division pressed north towards Manila, the Angels discovered that the main bridge over the Imus river had been blown by the Japanese. To secure a secondary crossing that was critical to the division's drive into the city, Company D of the 511th PIR was sent to Imus to prevent Japanese forces from destroying this remaining crossing.  When told of their new mission, Platoon Leader 1LT Andrew Carrico said his squad leaders all asked, "Why do we get all the dirty jobs?!” 1st Platoon would lead the assault against an estimated 100 Japanese defenders and what followed was a harrowing, small-unit assault on a reinforced defensive position that led was viewed by and impressed General Robert L. Eichelberger himself who would later say of the Angels, "No one could have asked for finer fighting men." Listen as Jeremy recounts D Company's 100-yard-dash across open ground full of spider holes and other enemy positions to assault the main fortified structure which controlled access to their objective, the Isabell II Bridge.  Included in this story is the inspiring actions of TSGT Robert C. Steele who climbed on top of the structure's roof while under fire to burn out the enemy defenders. Bob was given a battlefield promotion for his courage and leadership, but was tragically killed a few days later during the Battle for Nichols Field.  D-511's CPL William Walter said of his good friend Bob, "He was the kind of man that everybody would like to be." To learn more about the 511th PIR, the Band of Brothers of the Pacific, you can purchase one of Jeremy's acclaimed books on the 11th Airborne Division in World War II here: https://www.11thairbornestore.com/books  To support our channel, please visit our online store full of 11th Airborne merch: https://11thairborne.comstore If you'd like to donate to help us create even more videos on the 11th Airborne Division, you can do so here: https://11thairbornestore.square.site/product/donate-and-support/47 Join us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv  You can read Manuel's bio here: https://511pir.com/enlisted-biographies/269-pfc-perez-manuel To watch our full video on the story of Private Elmer Fryar, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSrTQxc3Lik If you'd like to reach out to Jeremy, you can email him at jeremy@jeremycholm.com. Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way! Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

    The Battle of the Stone Courtyard

  6. 05/21/2024

    Camp Toccoa: One Camp's Big Impact on World War II

    Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm for this special presentation originally given during the dinner banquet for Toccoa, Georgia's famous 2023 World War II Weekend. Jeremy was invited to speak on the impact that Camp Toccoa had on both the airborne and the outcome of the war.  Attending the dinner were several Children of Currahee, descendants of original Toccoa Men who trained at the camp, including children of the 506th PIR's famous "Band of Brothers". Additionally, the audience included numerous veterans and airborne enthusiasts.  Jeremy said, "It was an honor to get to speak at the dinner banquet. What a privilege it was to tell the story of the Toccoa Men who went on to fight in Europe, Africa, and the South Pacific. They truly were 'the best there ever was.'" This episode is a re-recording of Jeremy's original speech since we were all so excited to hear his presentation that we forgot to press the Record button! Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

    Camp Toccoa: One Camp's Big Impact on World War II

  7. 05/17/2024

    PFC Manuel Pérez, Medal of Honor - One Paratrooper's Assault on Fort McKinley in 1945

    Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm as we discover the story of Private First Class Manuel Pérez, a Paratrooper from the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, whose incredible actions on February 13, 1945 would earn this Angel the Medal of Honor. As one newspaper put it, "he fought with the strength of one hundred supermen." Manuel's story has never been fully told like this before and it is an honor and our privilege to do so. It is the story of a first-generation Mexican American who displayed a devotion to duty that inspired the nation.    After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Manuel was inducted into the United States Army in January of 1943 and he immediately volunteered for parachute duty. He was assigned to the new 511th Parachute Infantry forming at Camp Toccoa, Georgia which would later join America's new 11th Airborne Division at Camp Mackall later that year. It was during the 11th Airborne's campaign to liberate Luzon that Manuel would single-handedly eliminate twelve enemy defensive positions along with 75 of the Japanese defenders. “He was always out front,” said A Company’s Private Donald Noel of Coal Center, Pennsylvania. “He seemed unaware of anything but the job of killing (the Japanese).” One month later, this incredible paratrooper would give his life outside Santo Tomas. To learn more about Manuel Pérez, you can purchase one of Jeremy's acclaimed books here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C83KT18D To support our channel, please visit https://11thairborne.com/store You can read Manuel's bio here: https://511pir.com/enlisted-biographi... You can email us at jeremy@jeremycholm.com. Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

    PFC Manuel Pérez, Medal of Honor - One Paratrooper's Assault on Fort McKinley in 1945

  8. 05/03/2024

    Private Elmer Fryar, Medal of Honor - One Angel's Incredible Fight on Leyte in 1944

    Join 11th Airborne Division historian Jeremy C. Holm as we discover the story of Private Elmer Fryar, a Paratrooper from the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, whose incredible actions on December 8, 1944 would earn this former Marine the Medal of Honor. Elmer's story has never been fully told like this before and it is an honor and our privilege to do so.  This is the story of a national hero, a story that deserves to be told and retold.  Elmer Edward Fryar was born near Denver, Colorado in 1914 and after serving in the United States Marine Corps, including in the historic 1st Defense Battalion, he would go on to enlist in the United States Army following Imperial Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Elmer would volunteer for America's new airborne arm and was assigned to Company E of the 511th PIR at Camp Toccoa, Georgia in January of 1943 under Lieutenant Colonel Orin D. "Hardrock" Haugen. Elmer and the 511th PIR would then head to Camp Mackall, North Carolina to join the newly forming 11th Airborne Division, "The Angels", under the command of Major General Joseph May Swing. After over a year of intense stateside training, the 11th Airborne headed for New Guinea for theater training and acclimatization.  Then, in November of 1944 The Angels sailed for Leyte where they would first face the soldiers of Imperial Japan's 16th and 26th Infantry Divisions in the island's mountains.  It was here that on December 8, 1944, Private Elmer Fryar went into action, calling in mortar fire and directing the platoon's machine guns before running into enemy fire to rescue a wounded comrade. Then when a group of between 40-50 enemy soldiers moved to flank their position, Elmer Fryar raced to the top of a nearby ridge, alone, and eliminated over 20 of the Japanese with his rifle before being wounded himself.  Elmer then returned to his help his comrades withdraw when a lone enemy sniper jumped from a group of bushes and leveled his rifle at Fryar's commanding officer. Without hesitating, Private Elmer Fryar leapt in front of the lieutenant and took the full brunt of the enemy's fire. With his last grasp of strength, Elmer pulled a pin on a grenade and threw it at the enemy.  Private Fryar then asked his fellow Angels to tell his family that he "got a mess of the (Japanese) before they got me." And he said it with a smile.  To learn more about Elmer Fryar, you can purchase one of Jeremy's acclaimed books on the 11th Airborne Division in World War II here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C83KT18D To support our channel, please visit our online store full of 11th Airborne merch: https://11thairborne.com/store Join us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv If you'd like to reach out to Jeremy, you can email him at jeremy@jeremycholm.com. Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way! PS - We are aware that there were some audio technical glitches in this video and did our best to edit them out and hope they never undermine the story of this great American Paratrooper. We do have a new microphone on the way and expect better results. Send us a V-Mail (text message) Shop signed books, 11th Airborne Division merchandise, challenge coins, patches and more at: https://11thairbornestore.com For more information, visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com today, or you can email jeremy at Jeremy@jeremycholm.com.   You can follow Jeremy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/11thairbornediv Down From Heaven Comes Eleven! Airborne All the Way!

    Private Elmer Fryar, Medal of Honor - One Angel's Incredible Fight on Leyte in 1944
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About

Join historian and author Jeremy C. Holm as we discover the men and history of the legendary 11th Airborne Division in World War II, Korea and beyond! In this podcast, we'll cover a wide range of topics including the division's stateside training, their campaigns to liberate Leyte and Luzon from Imperial Japan, their historic statues as the first Allied unit to land in Japan for Occupation Duty and more.No wonder US Eighth Army's General Robert L. Eichelberger said of the Angels, "No one could have asked for finer fighting men.”Jeremy is the son of 1LT Andrew Carrico who fought with the 11th Airborne in WWII. Utilizing interviews with the last living members of the World War II-era Angels, Jeremy has published three highly acclaimed books on the Angels and frequently travels to lecture on the 11th Airborne. For more information visit www.511pir.com or www.11thairborne.com. 

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