The 82nd Airborne "All American" Division has a long and proud history. As an infantry division during World War I, it gained fame through the legendary heroism of Sergeant Alvin York.

On July 10, 1943 the 82nd Airborne Division parachuted into history, spearheading the invasion of Sicily, the US Army's first mass combat jump. Following victory in Sicily, the division was called upon to save the Salerno beachhead in Italy, making its second combat jump. After liberating Naples, the division sailed to Northern Ireland, while the 504th Regimental Combat Team remained behind to fight in the mountains and the Anzio beachhead, earning the nickname, "Devils in Baggy Pants."

The division moved to England in February 1944, to begin training for Operation Overlord. Without the depleted 504th RCT, which arrived in England in late April, the division was reinforced by two new parachute infantry regiments, the 507th and 508th.

The All Americans spearheaded the largest amphibious invasion in history as its paratroopers dropped into Normandy during the predawn hours of June 6, 1944. The veteran 505th captured Ste.-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated in France, then held off German forces moving toward the Utah Beach landing forces. The 507th and 508th, though badly scattered during the jump ambushed enemy forces and wreaked havoc on German rear areas. The 325th RCT and most of the division artillery landed on June 7, in the largest glider operation of the war thus far. After linking up with ground forces, the division acted as shock troops in the vicious hedgerow fighting that characterized the Normandy campaign. The division was relieved after 33 days of almost continuous combat.

On September 17, 1944, the division made its fourth combat jump, dropping 53 miles behind German lines in Holland as part of Operation Market-Garden. The epic assault crossing of the Waal River by the 504th Parachute Infantry, made famous by the book and movie, A Bridge Too Far, has been called the second Omaha Beach. Despite seizing all of the division's objectives, British armor was unsuccessful in crossing the Rhine River at Arnhem and the campaign failed to end the war as planned. The division spent almost 60 days in a static defense, before being relieved and sent to France for rest and replacements.

Barely a month later, the massive German offensive that became known as the Battle of the Bulge roared through the Ardennes. As one of the few divisions in reserve, the 82nd once again led the way into battle, securing crucial positions on the northern shoulder of the Bulge. The division defeated elements of three SS Panzer divisions, the main armored force moving toward Antwerp, Belgium. The division went over to the offensive on January 3, 1945, and despite horrendous casualties and terrible winter conditions, drove eastward until it pierced the Siegfried Line on the German border.

The division next saw combat in the infamous H|rtgen Forest, and in the closing days of the war in Europe, made an assault crossing of the Elbe River in Germany, pressing eastward until meeting the Soviet Army. The 82nd Airborne Division spent 371 days in combat, at the forefront of the heaviest fighting in the Mediterranean and western Europe. As the US Army's premier combat division, the 82nd was chosen to represent the United States in the occupation of Berlin, and then to lead the great New York City victory parade upon its return to the US in January 1946.

Drawing upon almost 1,000 oral and written accounts from veterans of the 82nd Airborne Division, the book tells the story primarily in the words of the junior officers, NCOs, and enlisted men who experienced most of the combat. Unlike most other authors of such large projects, Nordyke personally conducted all of his own interviews, and directly handled all correspondence. This has led to strong, long-established ties with many World War II veterans of the 82nd Airborne Division, who have given him their trust, respect, and confidence. All American, All the Way is a fitting tribute to their valorous service.