Gavin at War: The World War II Diary of Lieutenant General James M. Gavin

Lieutenant General James Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII, kept a wartime diary that includes observations on fellow military and political leaders, Army operations, and his personal life. The diary was discovered among his belongings after his death and has been edited and annotated for publication by the Gavin family and the Army Heritage Center. Gavin was an officer who led by example, earning two Distinguished Service Crosses, two Silver Stars, and the Purple Heart for his service.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Lieutenant General James Gavin, the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II, is one of the most iconic figures of the conflict. Starting as the commander of the 505th Parachute Combat Team that played a pivotal role in the American assault on Sicily in July 1943, Gavin advanced to division command and eventually took charge of US forces in Berlin. Throughout this period, he maintained a wartime diary that commenced in April 1943, as the unit prepared to embark on its journey to northern Africa, and continued until his final entry on 1 September 1945 during the occupation of Berlin.

During the war years, Gavin had the opportunity to interact closely with nearly all the prominent airborne commanders and numerous others who would ascend to the highest echelons of Army leadership. His diary encompasses observations on fellow military and political figures, including General Dwight Eisenhower and the British Field Marshal Montgomery, Army operations, and the general's personal life. Gavin was an officer who exemplified leadership by example. He participated in four combat jumps, including Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and the Netherlands, and was the first person to exit the door on each occasion. His valor was recognized with two Distinguished Service Crosses, two Silver Stars, and the Purple Heart.

For decades, Gavin kept the existence of his journal a secret, and it was only discovered among his belongings after his passing. Editor Lewis Bob Sorley has collaborated closely with the Gavin family to publish this remarkable diary, providing a firsthand account of the war and the events that shaped it.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636240244