James M. Gavin
| James M. Gavin | |
|---|---|
James M. Gavin, pictured here as a major general.
|
|
| United States Ambassador to France | |
|
In office 1961–1962 |
|
| President | John F. Kennedy |
| Preceded by | Amory Houghton |
| Succeeded by | Charles E. Bohlen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Maurice Gavin March 22, 1907 New York City, New York |
| Died | February 23, 1990 (aged 82) Baltimore, Maryland |
| Resting place | West Point Cemetery |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) |
The Jumping General Slim Jim Jumpin' Jim |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1924–1958 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | Infantry Branch |
| Commands |
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division VII Corps |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross (2) Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom) Legion of Honour (France) |
James Maurice "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin (March 22, 1907 – February 23, 1990) was a senior United States Army officer, with the rank of lieutenant general, who was the third Commanding General (CG) of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. During the war, he was often referred to as "The Jumping General" because of his practice of taking part in combat jumps with the paratroopers under his command; he was the only American general officer to make four combat jumps in the war.
Gavin was the youngest major general to command an American division in World War II, being only 37 upon promotion, and the youngest lieutenant general after the war, in March 1955. He was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses and several other decorations for his service in the war. During combat, he was known for his habit of carrying an M1 Garand rifle typically carried by enlisted U.S. infantry soldiers, as opposed to the M1 carbine rifles traditionally carried by officers besides the Colt Model M1911, .45 caliber pistols.
Gavin also fought against segregation in the U.S. Army, which gained him some notoriety.
Gavin was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 22, 1907. His precise ancestry is unclear. His mother may have been an Irish immigrant, Katherine Ryan, and his father James Nally (also of Irish heritage), although official documentation lists Thomas Ryan as father; possibly in order to make the birth legitimate. The birth certificate lists his name as James Nally Ryan, although Nally was crossed out. When he was about two years old, he was placed in the Convent of Mercy orphanage in Brooklyn, where he remained until he was adopted in 1909 by Martin and Mary Gavin from Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania and given the name James Maurice Gavin.
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