INTRODUCTION

Frank van Lunteren’s new book, Spearhead of the Fifth Army, is about our paratrooper legacy. Vibrant, aggressive, humorous, witty, and with some mischief along the way, this book captures the essence and aura of the American paratrooper. Our veteran paratroopers lived up to the imagination and won glories that many folks simply cannot fathom. These heroes spent their time during World War II in combat, each and every day, facing their enemy in close proximity, with only a weapon in their hand and their fellow paratroopers to their left and right. If the reader is interested in getting the true feel of what life was like for a combat soldier, a 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper, in the complexity and chaos of direct action combat, then Spearhead of the Fifth Army is a must read.

After a decade of research Frank van Lunteren chose to write about the extraordinary exploits of one of our fabled combat teams of World War II, the 504th PIR.

Our airborne leaders and paratroopers today live up to the standards of excellence our forefathers fought for, died for, and won for. We are here today because of the heroic acts the 504th conducted throughout World War II, and specifically on the beaches in Italy.

This book is about the American soldier, the American paratrooper, the hardships, the glories, the teamwork, and the partnership with Italian citizens such as our recent honorary member of the 504th, Antonio Taurelli of Nettuno, an Italian citizen who voluntarily fought alongside F Company, 504th PIR.

Strike Hold! All The Way! Airborne!

Colonel Colin P. Tuley
Devil-6, 38th Colonel of the 504th Parchute Infantry Regiment
(May 28, 2015–present) Commander, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
82nd Airborne Division