This is the experience of a 101st US Airborne Division paratrooper in 1943 - 44. He joined aged 18 and was still only 19 at the time of the Normandy invasion when he parachuted at night behind Utah beach near the base of the Cherbourg peninsula. Its content is very descriptive and I found it un-put-downable. First published in 1967 under the title "Currahee." It covers from when he first joined until he was reunited with the surviving members of his unit towards the end of June 1944. This was after he was reportedly killed in action, though he was just in time to stop the fateful telegram from being sent to his family.