To War with the All-American: A History of the 82nd Airborne Division
Jul 2026 · Casemate
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"George S. Patton’s part in the Great War occurred at the same time as the 82nd Division forged their reputation in those trenches. This needs to be understood and highlighted by historians. Tin hats off to my friend Martin King for writing this important legacy of a magnificent division. A wonderful account presented in Martin’s very readable and highly enjoyable style.” — Helen Patton, granddaughter of General George Patton
A definitive history of one of the U.S. Army’s most elite and enduring formations, this book traces the full evolution of the 82nd Airborne Division from its World War I origins to its current role as a rapid-response force. Drawing on rare archival sources and previously unpublished first-hand accounts, it offers a comprehensive portrait of the “All American” Division across more than a century of service.
While the division’s exploits during World War II—from their first combat operation jumping into Sicily, their role in the airborne assaults in Normandy and at Arnhem, and their part in the Battle of the Bulge—are widely recognized, this book goes far beyond. It explores the 82nd’s formation in 1917, its transformation into the Army’s first airborne division in 1942, its adaptation to new strategic demands during the Cold War, and the fighting it has undertaken in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is not just a history of battles and campaigns—it is a story of the soldiers themselves. Through veterans’ voices, after-action reports, and unit records, the book captures the lived experience of paratroopers, from the trenches of the Western Front to 21st-century deployments. The result is a richly detailed and authoritative account of the 82nd Airborne Division’s combat legacy.
A definitive history of one of the U.S. Army’s most elite and enduring formations, this book traces the full evolution of the 82nd Airborne Division from its World War I origins to its current role as a rapid-response force. Drawing on rare archival sources and previously unpublished first-hand accounts, it offers a comprehensive portrait of the “All American” Division across more than a century of service.
While the division’s exploits during World War II—from their first combat operation jumping into Sicily, their role in the airborne assaults in Normandy and at Arnhem, and their part in the Battle of the Bulge—are widely recognized, this book goes far beyond. It explores the 82nd’s formation in 1917, its transformation into the Army’s first airborne division in 1942, its adaptation to new strategic demands during the Cold War, and the fighting it has undertaken in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.
This is not just a history of battles and campaigns—it is a story of the soldiers themselves. Through veterans’ voices, after-action reports, and unit records, the book captures the lived experience of paratroopers, from the trenches of the Western Front to 21st-century deployments. The result is a richly detailed and authoritative account of the 82nd Airborne Division’s combat legacy.
"George S. Patton’s part in the Great War occurred at the same time as the 82nd Division forged their reputation in those trenches. This needs to be understood and highlighted by historians. Tin hats off to my friend Martin King for writing this important legacy of a magnificent division. A wonde...
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About the author
Martin King is a British military historian. He lives in Belgium (near Antwerp) where he spends his time writing, lecturing, and visiting European battlefields. His voluntary work with veterans and tracing the individual histories of veterans has been a labor of love for almost twenty years. He speaks fluent German, Dutch, Italian, and French. Frequently in demand as a public speaker, he has lectured at many British and U.S. military bases throughout the world, and he has acted as an historical consultant on a number of documentaries. His books include Voices of the Bulge, Tigers of Bastogne and Eagles of Bastogne.
Martin King is a British military historian. He lives in Belgium (near Antwerp) where he spends his time writing, lecturing, and visiting European battlefields. His voluntary work with veterans and tracing the individual histories of veterans has been a labor of love for almost twenty years. He s...
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