I obtained this book from a PBS comrade for an airborne soldier at the old soldiers' home several weeks ago and was about to pull it from the shelf to take to the free book truck at the VA Hospital. However, I offered it to a member of the 82nd Airborne on the Hospice ward and he has found it of interest.
It is dated as fifty years ago they still employed mushroom shaped parachutes, not the more maneuverable style of today. However, it is well-organized, starting with recruits in training, then on the 'sweat shelf' awaiting their first jump, etc. It is illustrated lavishly with US Army photos.
I found the table on page 97, 'Injuries in the 82nd' of interest. A now retired compadre, SFC Jesus Morales, served 23 years in the 82nd and said his most troublesome duty was teaching West Point cadets to jump, for two or three summers, because there would be hardheads that wouldn't listen to instruction from an EM. Years ago we had a WWII paratrooper, Lawni, at the old soldiers' home for several months who actually had made three jumps. It is very risky business in combat.
It is dated as fifty years ago they still employed mushroom shaped parachutes, not the more maneuverable style of today. However, it is well-organized, starting with recruits in training, then on the 'sweat shelf' awaiting their first jump, etc. It is illustrated lavishly with US Army photos.
I found the table on page 97, 'Injuries in the 82nd' of interest. A now retired compadre, SFC Jesus Morales, served 23 years in the 82nd and said his most troublesome duty was teaching West Point cadets to jump, for two or three summers, because there would be hardheads that wouldn't listen to instruction from an EM. Years ago we had a WWII paratrooper, Lawni, at the old soldiers' home for several months who actually had made three jumps. It is very risky business in combat.
