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Jump Into the Valley of the Shadow: The War Memories of Dwayne Burns Communications Sargeant, 508th P.I.R. Hardcover – June 1, 2006

by Leland Burns (Author), Dwayne Burns (Narrator, Drawings)

4.5 47 ratings

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When Dwayne Burns turned 18 during World War II, he decided that he wanted to fight alongside America’s best. He joined the paratroopers and was assigned to the 508th Regiment of the 82d Airborne Division. Little did he suspect that a year later he’d be soaring in a flak–riddled C–47 over Normandy, part of the very spearhead of the Allied drive to seize back Europe. Burns landed behind German lines during the dark, early hours of D–day, and gradually found other survivors of his division. The paratroopers fought on every side in a confused, running battle through the hedgerows, finally making a stand in a surrounded farmhouse. With one room reserved for their growing piles of corpses, the paratroopers held their ground until finally relieved by infantry advancing from the beaches.

After being pulled out of Normandy, the airborne troops were said to be “burning a hole in SHAEF’s pocket,” and thus were launched into Holland as part of Montgomery’s plan to gain a bridgehead across the Rhine. This daytime jump was less confused than the nocturnal one, but there were more Germans than expected and fewer Allied forces in support. It was another maelstrom of pointblank combat in all directions, and though the 82d achieved its objectives, the campaign as a whole achieved little but casualties.

The 82d had hardly refilled with replacements when the Germans broke through the U.S. front in the Ardennes. The 82d’s paratroopers were put aboard trucks and hastened to stand in the way of the panzer onslaught. Passing through Bastogne they went farther north to St. Vith, where the U.S. 7th Armored and other divisions were reeling. The 82d held its own with quickly assembled defense perimeters, allowing other units to escape. After beating off massive attacks by German SS, the paratroopers were disgusted to hear that they, too, had been ordered to retreat. They didn’t feel they needed to, but Monty was determined to “tidy up the battlefield.” On January 3 they counterattacked through the freezing hills, sealing off the Bulge and pursuing the Germans back into the Reich. In this work, Dwayne Burns, assisted by his son Leland (U.S. Army, 1975–79), not only relates the chaos of combat but the intimate thinking of a young soldier thrust into the center of several of history’s greatest battles. His memories provide a fascinating insight into the reality of close-quarters combat.

Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Casemate Publishers
Publication date

June 1, 2006
Dimensions

6.25 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
ISBN-10

1932033491
ISBN-13

978-1932033496
See all details

Stephen Smith
57
Paperback
45 offers from $3.17

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I was glad to see this book...tells his story from the bottom side. It looked different from a foxhole. The book is told in the form of a bunch of little stories, not a day by day diary. This makes it much more interesting, and I recommend it highly."
Books-On-Line

… Sadly DWAYNE passed away just hours before the full account went to press. The BURNS team produced a book that keeps the reader's interested from cover to cover… As you read Jump into the Valley of the Shadow, a prominent theme, the Brotherhood of the paratroopers, is apparent and runs through the whole book: You will notice their concern for each other and their grief over their fallen comrades. "
The Static Line

"Destined to Become a Classic World War II Memoir… a masterful job of taking the reader along on a compelling journey…It is war, as seen from the foxhole and is destined to become a classic World War II memoir."
Phil Nordyke, 82nd Airborne Division historian and author of More Than Courage: The Combat History of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II and All American All the Way: The Combat History of the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II, and other titles

"A true member of the Greatest Generation, Burns’ fascinating story is well worth reading."
Flight Journal

"…riveting and insightful…extremely human recollections…"
Air Power History Winter 2009

About the Author

Dwayne was born on October 21, 1924 in Fort Worth. He lived most of his life in the Lake Worth and Haltom City area. He married Mildred True on August 15, 1948. Dwayne worked 26 years as an engineer for Bell Helicopter. He earned his pilot's rating in sail planes and single engine aircraft. Dwayne painted, drew, played the guitar, sang and occasionally wrote songs. For many years he created stained glass windows from his original designs.As the father of four children, two boys and two girls, Dwayne enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and extended family. Some of his favorite pastimes were camping, fishing and travelling. He was a long time member of the 508th Association and hosted two F-Company reunions.Dwayne jumped to his final reward on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at a Grapevine, Texas, hospital.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Casemate Publishers; First Edition (June 1, 2006)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1932033491
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1932033496
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,162,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,095 in WWII Biographies
- #20,023 in World War II History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 47 ratings

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Loren Ruttinger

Great quality and fast shipping

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2022

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This book was in great shape. The seller shipped quickly and the book was exactly as described.

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John E. Larsen

The valley of death indeed.

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2011

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Burns chose to join the airborne because he wanted to serve with the best. He fought in Normandy, Market Garden and the Bulge and remarkably, at the end of the war, he was one of only 12 pre-Normandy members still with the company and the only one to have not suffered wounds. Though trained as a machine gunner, he spends most of his war as a radioman. He fights and kills but not always with great detail. His participation in Normandy for instance is a little hard to follow. It does though convey the swirling, confusing nature of much of the fighting there. He writes quite a bit on other men in his unit, particularly the officers he admired.

While he kicks off with events leading up to Normandy, Burns, for a large portion of the book alternates between current happenings as a soldier and flashbacks to earlier events. This is primarily to give appropriate background to meeting people and the forming of his attitudes. It was a little distracting at times but overall it was useful device to inform the reader of things as they became relevant.

This is a straightforward account of a paratrooper who did his duty and had a good share of luck. I really liked the title. It is a tweaking of the Bible passage and it nicely combines his religious faith and the very dire time he experienced in the bloody European campaign. I also liked the way he revealed his long distance relationship with his post-war wife. The war though is his focus. There are some graphic passages at times and it conveys both the excitement as well as the harshness of war. Overall I give it 3 ½ stars. See my list for where it sits amongst the many other Airborne memoirs I have read.

3 people found this helpful

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Elizabeth Farrell

Outstanding and Riveting Memories from Training to Combat

Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2006

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I highly recommend this book. Dwayne Burns brings to life his memories from elite training as a paratrooper to his feelings and emotions of actually going into combat. Along the way, he shares his personal life stories and how all of this shaped the person he was to became. The incredible bond that paratroopers have which started in their training and lasts to this day is very inspiring. Reading this book reinforced my genuine thanks to these men that "Jumped Into the Valley of the Shadow" along with the rest of the "Greatest Generation" that helped bring peace back to this world in the uncertain time of WWII.

8 people found this helpful

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C. Lee Gibson

Jump: Into the Valley of the Shadow

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2010

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This is a well written and moving account of one soldiers experience in WWII. The story comes to life through a personal perspective with big picture view that is not often seen. Beyond the war it gives huge insight into a time period of this country and the world. The experiences and determination of this soldier will leave you thinking and reflecting on many aspects of life.

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Amazon Customer

Amazing book

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2017

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I chose this book to know more history on the Red Devils as my first unit in the army. Must I say, outstanding.
The author did an amazing job.
This book does 2ND BCT justice. Job well done.

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2017

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Goes back and forth between D-day and enlistment / jump school as so on. Too confusing.

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2017

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I bought for a friend who jumped with the 508th in WWII. He loved it.

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2013

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This is another must read for anyone interested in the Greatest Generation as they have been called and while members of the 508PIR experiences in combat were similar to other airborne units in WWII there were many unique aspects to it. A very good read!

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