Includes bibliographical references and index.

In the midst of the battle of the Bulge, there occurred on exchange that, perhaps more than any other, exemplifies the attitude of the troopers of the 82nd Airborne Division. It was 22 December 1944. The U.S. First Army was still in headlong retreat from the onrushing panzers that were seemingly everywhere. A column of American tanks came upon a lone bazooka gunner in a snow-covered bunker. The lead tank commander leaned down from his hatch to ask the lone trooper where the American lines were. The bazooka gunner, a private from the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, replied, "You've just arrived at the American front lines, pal. Now you just pull your tankup behind me. I'm the 82nd Airborne Division, and this is as far as the bastards are going."