United States Army General. Considered one of the foremost military strategists of his generation, many of his ideas have been adopted by the Army. He entered the Army in 1924 as a Private and eventually became the youngest division commander since the Civil War. Graduated from West Point in 1929 and returned ten years later as a tactics instructor; because the German blitzkrieg convinced him of the importance of armor and airborne operations, he advocated the use of mobility in warfare and saw airpower as a way of adding mobility to the battlefield. In 1942, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and attended the Command and General Staff School. Then joined the United States Army's first paratroop units under the leadership of the man who became his mentor, GeneralMatthew Ridgway under whom Gavin rose to command the famed 82nd Airborne Division in World War II. Always the first to jump in combat, Gavin led his men on missions in Sicily, Italy, Normandy (providing support behind the German lines for the D-Day invasion), Holland (the battle for the bridge at Arnhem), and the Battle of the Bulge. He became a Major General before his 38th birthday and was widely renowned for his calm leadership in battle. After World War II, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and in 1955 appointed Chief of Research and Development for the Army. He retired from the Army in 1958, but continued in public service when PresidentJohn F. Kennedy appointed him ambassador to France in 1961. Returning to private life in 1962, he joined Arthur D. Little and Company and became its chairman of the board.

DSC Citations (2)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) James Maurice Gavin (ASN: 0-17676), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Regimental Commander, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne, in action against enemy forces on 11 July 1943, approximately five miles west of Vittoria, Sicily. Throughout daylight on 11 July 1943, Colonel Gavin, together with a small portion of his regiment, held and drove back a superior force of German infantry and tanks in the face of heavy gunfire and counterattack, led by tanks, which reached to within fifty yards of his command post. This successful action enabled the 182d Infantry, 45th Division which had been held up all that day, to resume its advance. Colonel Gavin displayed cool courageous leadership of the highest order throughout the day's fighting, encouraging and inspiring his men, and by his heroic example achieved decisive success in the face of greatly superior odds. His inspiring leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General James Maurice Gavin (ASN: 0-17676), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Assistant Division Commander, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 June 1944, in France. In a battalion attack upon the town of le Motey, extremely heavy and intense enemy artillery fire inflicted heavy casualties among the officers and men, causing disorganization in the battalion. General Gavin, observing the results of this action, went immediately to the front lines. There he took charge, personally effected a reorganization of the battalion and directed it to a renewed attack upon the town. General Gavin, in order to better control the assault, moved to an exposed position in a wheat field. Although enemy fire was particularly intense at this point, General Gavin remained in this position until the battalion had completed a successful assault upon the town. The courage, personal bravery and outstanding leadership of General Gavin exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

United States Army General. Considered one of the foremost military strategists of his generation, many of his ideas have been adopted by the Army. He entered the Army in 1924 as a Private and eventually became the youngest division commander since the Civil War. Graduated from West Point in 1929 and returned ten years later as a tactics instructor; because the German blitzkrieg convinced him of the importance of armor and airborne operations, he advocated the use of mobility in warfare and saw airpower as a way of adding mobility to the battlefield. In 1942, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and attended the Command and General Staff School. Then joined the United States Army's first paratroop units under the leadership of the man who became his mentor, GeneralMatthew Ridgway under whom Gavin rose to command the famed 82nd Airborne Division in World War II. Always the first to jump in combat, Gavin led his men on missions in Sicily, Italy, Normandy (providing support behind the German lines for the D-Day invasion), Holland (the battle for the bridge at Arnhem), and the Battle of the Bulge. He became a Major General before his 38th birthday and was widely renowned for his calm leadership in battle. After World War II, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and in 1955 appointed Chief of Research and Development for the Army. He retired from the Army in 1958, but continued in public service when PresidentJohn F. Kennedy appointed him ambassador to France in 1961. Returning to private life in 1962, he joined Arthur D. Little and Company and became its chairman of the board.

DSC Citations (2)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) James Maurice Gavin (ASN: 0-17676), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Regimental Commander, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne, in action against enemy forces on 11 July 1943, approximately five miles west of Vittoria, Sicily. Throughout daylight on 11 July 1943, Colonel Gavin, together with a small portion of his regiment, held and drove back a superior force of German infantry and tanks in the face of heavy gunfire and counterattack, led by tanks, which reached to within fifty yards of his command post. This successful action enabled the 182d Infantry, 45th Division which had been held up all that day, to resume its advance. Colonel Gavin displayed cool courageous leadership of the highest order throughout the day's fighting, encouraging and inspiring his men, and by his heroic example achieved decisive success in the face of greatly superior odds. His inspiring leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General James Maurice Gavin (ASN: 0-17676), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Assistant Division Commander, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 June 1944, in France. In a battalion attack upon the town of le Motey, extremely heavy and intense enemy artillery fire inflicted heavy casualties among the officers and men, causing disorganization in the battalion. General Gavin, observing the results of this action, went immediately to the front lines. There he took charge, personally effected a reorganization of the battalion and directed it to a renewed attack upon the town. General Gavin, in order to better control the assault, moved to an exposed position in a wheat field. Although enemy fire was particularly intense at this point, General Gavin remained in this position until the battalion had completed a successful assault upon the town. The courage, personal bravery and outstanding leadership of General Gavin exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

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