 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
GAVIN, James Maurice |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| PERSONALIA |
| |
| Name: |
Gavin, James Maurice |
| Date of birth: |
March 22nd, 1907
(New York, U.S.A.)
|
| Date of death: |
February 23rd, 1999
|
| Nationality: |
American |
|
BIOGRAPHY:
James Maurice Gavin was born March 22nd, 1907 in New York. He was the son of an unmarried Irish immigrant. At the age of two, he was placed in an orphanage and ultimately adopted by the Gavins, a miner's family. During his youth with the foster family, he learned, much to his advantage in later life, what was meant by hard work and discipline. As a 17-year-old, he enlisted in the army. He started his career as a private and soon had risen to Corporal. His military capabilities were promising and in 1925, he was admitted to the US Military Academy at West Point. He graduated succesfully, serving with varuious units until 1941. In the years between, he grew to be an advocate of mobility in warfare. August 1941, Gavin joined the paratroops. Following his training at Fort Benning, he was assigned to 503 Parachute Infantry Regiment and was named company commander in the rank of Captain. Soon he rose to the ultimate para-command, the Staff Headquarters of Provisional Parachute Group as Chief of Plannning and Training. In this capacity, he was instrumental in the establishment of America's first airborne division, the 82nd. July 1942, Gavin was appointed commander of 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd. Airborne. He made his first operational jump with this regiment in support of the Allied invasion of Sicily.
James 'Slim Jim' Gavin, so named after his athletic posture, was well liked by his men, not only for his sound military insight but also for his frequent appearances at the front, something the average private could appreciate very well. September 1942, Gavin made his second operational jump in a hastily planned drop in support of Operation Avalanche, the invasion of mainland Italy in Salerno Bay. October 10th, 1943, Gavin was promoted to Brigadeer-general and simultaneously named deputy division commander. During the preparations for the Normandy landings, Gavin served as advisor to Eisenhower on matters of airborne deployment. He made his third operational jump on D-day. After the war in France had ended, Major-general Matthew Ridgway, commander of 82nd Airborne was given command of 18th Airborne Corps and Gavin succeeded him, becoming the youngest division commander in the US army. After this appointment, he made his fourth operational jump during Operation Market Garden and in October 1944 was promoted to Major-general.
After the launch of the Ardennes offensive, he served as temporary corps commander, replacing Ridgway. Gavin's troops were deployed to turn the tide. Gavin and his troops would end the war in Berlin, serving as an occupation force.
After the war, Gavin took great pains to prevent the 82nd from being disbanded. His efforts resulted in the 82nd remaining the only Airborne Division in the US Army today.
Gavin continued to serve, rising to 5th Army's Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff to the Allied Forces in southern Europe. He also became Commander in Chief of 7th Army Corps in Western Germany.
Gavin was a prominent critic of the Vietnam war but his criticism centered mainly on military strategy. A universally respected figure, James Maurice Gavin died Febraury 23rd, 1990 at the age of 82. |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
All rights reserved © 2002-2007
)
