![]() James Gavin, pictured here before his promotion to three-star general.Ī veteran of the landings in Sicily, Normandy and Holland, Gavin won two Distinguished Service Crosses, the Silver Star and the British Distinguished Service Order. In fact, his troops nicknamed him the “Jumping General” because of his penchant for being the first to hit the silk during airdrops. His preference for leading from the front also won him the praise of the rank and file. In 1944, the 37-year-old New York City native rose to the rank of lieutenant general and was placed in command of the entire 82 nd Airborne Division.Ī West Point grad and pioneer of the burgeoning field of airborne warfare, Gavin became famous among the grunts for his habit of carrying a bulky infantryman’s M-1 rifle, rather than a lighter carbine or officer’s pistol. Need proof? Look no further than James M. IT’S BEEN SAID that war is a young man’s game. “While a 30-something three-star is certainly a rarity in the annals of military history, a number of other legendary leaders assumed the mantle of command at far younger ages. Many others who were under the age of 25 have also famously led armies. Joan of Arc wasn’t history’s only teenaged commander.
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