General James Gavin - West Point, New York - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

James Maurice Gavin was also referred to as 'The Jumping General', because of his persistence of taking part in combat jumps with the Paratroopers he commanded. He graduated from jump school as early as August '41 after volunteering in April '41. He became the youngest Major General commanding a division in WWII. He was also known for his habit of carrying an M1 Garand rifle, which was unusual for an officer. The athletic built Gavin, loved by his men, fought against segregation in the Army. Under his command, the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (the Triple Nickels' - an All Black Paratrooper Unit) became an integral part of the 82nd Airborne Division. James Gavin served until 1958. At La Fière, it was Gavin who directed his troops in the battle that was called 'the bloodiest small arms battle in US Military History'. His foxhole, near La Fière, is still preserved as a lasting tribute to 'Slim Jim', the fit and athletic 'Soldier's General'. Among his decorations, Gavin was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with the Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the British Distinguished Service Order and the Dutch lanyard. James M. Gavin was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as US Ambassador to France in 1961. He also served as President and Chairman of the Arthur D. Little Research and Consulting Company until his retirement in 1977. He died in 1990, aged 82 and is resting in the United States Military Academy Cemetery in West Point, New York. Source/Credit: (visit link)

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Description: James Maurice Gavin was born on March 22, 1907 in Brooklyn, New York. Gavin entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1925 and graduated in June of 1929. During his military career he rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was often referred to as “The Jumping General,” because he usually jumped with the paratroopers that he commanded. He was the youngest Major General during WWII and was known for carrying an M1 rifle rather than the pistol usually carried by officers. During his military service he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. During World War II, Gavin was reassigned to West Point where he worked at developing tactics that would counter the German’s march across Europe. It was here that he first spoke of using airborne forces as a tactical maneuver. On June 6, 1944, Gavin was part of the parachute drop conducted by the 82nd Airborne Division in advance of the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Following World War II, Gavin was a key player in developing the uses of light armored vehicles and helicopters. Such tactics were first used during the Vietnam War. Gavin retired from military service in 1958 and wrote a book entitled “War and Peace in the Space Age.” He was later hired by the research and consulting firm Arthur D. Little, Inc., serving as first Vice President in 1958 and eventually rising to serve as President and Chairman of the Board, a position that he held until he retired in 1977. In 1961, President John Kennedy appointed General Gavin to serve as U. S. Ambassador to France, a position that he held through the end of 1962. In 1977 at the age of 70, President Jimmy Carter considered General Gavin to be director of the CIA, before appointing Admiral Stansfield Turner to head the intelligence agency. General James Gavin died on February 23, 1990 and is buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, New York. Date of birth: 03/22/1907 Date of death: 02/23/1990 Area of notoriety: Military Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily: Dawn to Dusk Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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