Gavin, James Maurice “Slim Jim”

Gavin, James “Slim Jim”, born 22-03-1907 in New York, also referred to as Jumpin Jim, because of his practice of taking part in combat drops with the paratroopers whom he commanded. Gavin was the youngest U.S. Major General commanding a division during World War II. During combat, he was known for his habit of carrying an M1 Garand rifle,   as opposed to the pistols traditionally carried by officers. His men respected him a great deal, affectionately referring to him as “Slim Jim” due to his athletic figure. Gavin fought against segregation in the U.S. Army, which gained him some notoriety. Gavin spoke with a US Army recruiting officer. Since he was under 18, he needed parental consent to enlist in the Army. On 01-04-1924, Gavin was sworn in to the US Army, and was stationed in Panama. Gavin began training at the Airborne School in Fort Benning in July 1941 and graduated in August 1941.

    Gavin became the commanding officer of the 505^th Parachute Infantry Regiment in August 1942. In February 1943, the US 82^nd All Americans Airborne Division, consisting of the 325^th  and 326^th  Glider Infantry Regiments  and the 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was selected for the Allied invasion of Sicily. Gavin was part of Mission Boston on D-Day. This was a parachute combat assault conducted at night by the U.S. 82^nd Airborne Division on 06-06-1944 and part of the American Airborne landings in Normandy. Lieutenant. General Omar N. Bradley decorates Brig. General James M. Gavin (Asst Cdr 82d Abn Div), Lieutenant Colonel Edward C. Krause (CO 3d Bn, 505th PIR) and Lt. Colonel Benjamin H. Vandervoort (CO 2d Bn, 505th PIR).   The command of the gliders had Major General, Chief of Staff, 82^nd Airborne, Matthew Bunker Ridgway.

     They were to capture the town of Sainte Mère Église, a crucial communications crossroad behind Utah Beach.

 John Marvine Steele  hanging on the churchtower  For the first time General Gavin would lead the 82^nd Airborne into combat. On Sunday, 17-09-1944, Operation Market Garden took off. Market Garden, devised by the British General, Bernard “Monty” Montgomery. On 20-09-1944 James Gavin was the commander during the famous Waalcrossing, an action to capture the bridge from behind. Third Battalion of the 504^th Third Battalion , H & I Company of the Third Battalion 504^th, H& I Companies of the 82^nd Airborne Division were the first to cross the Waal River in small canvas/wood boats. First battalion crossed after 11 of 26 boats returned. The Germans artillery was able to mow them down as they crossed.