Code Name Dagger: The Incredible True Story of a World War II Soldier, Spy, and Special Forces Legend

by Kevin Maurer

The true story of Major Jerry Sage, an O.S.S. agent during World War II, who inspired Steve McQueen’s character in The Great Escape.

Jerry Sage was a Canadian-born American soldier, special forces operator, spy, and prisoner of war during World War II. He was notable for over 15 prison escape attempts leading to 15 sentences in solitary confinement, earning him the name "Cooler King," until his final successful escape, making him the inspiration for Steve McQueen's character in The Great Escape.

Sage was recruited into an organization run by William J. "Wild Bill" Donovan called the Office of the Coordinator of Information, which was the precursor to the Office of Strategic Services. He was one the first men from the Special Operations Branch to attend a training camp set up by the British Special Operations Executive outside of Toronto, Canada called Camp X. There, he learned the British methods of sabotage, reconnaissance, guerrilla warfare, underwater and amphibious assault, trailing suspects, and managing networks. The British gave him the nickname "Dagger," which he carried for the rest of his career.

Code Name Dagger is the thrilling story of Sage's exploits, detailing his operations in North Africa and his capture by the Nazis after the battle of Kasserine Pass in February 1943. With new information, author Kevin Maurer thrillingly tells of Sage's experiences in a POW camp in Germany, his role in the "Great Escape," and his continual escape attempts and harassment of the Nazis until the end of the war.

A legend forgotten in the mists of time, Jerry Sage's name will once again be counted among the greatest American soldiers ever.

Genres: History

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 2, 2027

About the author

KEVIN MAURER is an award-winning journalist and the bestselling coauthor, with Mark Owen, of No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission that Killed Osama bin Laden. He has covered special operations forces for a decade.

Reviews

[sniksnak · Rating 5 out of 5]

With great anticipation, I dove into this thrilling, cinematic biography of Major Jerry Sage, one of World War II’s most remarkable yet overlooked American heroes.
Born in Canada, Major Sage was a soldier, special forces operator, POW, and a trailblazer for the OSS, the precursor to the CIA and today’s US Special Forces. Known as “Dagger” for his unparalleled combat prowess, he executed daring missions in North Africa before being captured by Nazi forces.
Major Sage’s indomitable spirit made him a legendary escape artist, attempting to break free from captivity over fifteen times. His daring exploits earned him the nickname “Cooler King” and served as the direct inspiration for Steve McQueen’s unforgettable film character in The Great Escape.
Drawing on newly uncovered OSS archives, personal writings, and family stories, Kevin Maurer delivers a fast paced tribute to courage, ingenuity, and resilience. This inspiring read is a must for enthusiasts of WWII history and Special Ops.

**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#ARC
#NetGalley
#CodeNameDagger

[mary k · Rating 4 out of 5]

Code Name Dagger by Kevin Maurer is a fascinating account of one man's journey through World War II that reads more like an adventure story than a historical account, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. The book focuses primarily on Sage's time as a prisoner in a German POW camp, which forms the emotional and dramatic core of the narrative. Intriguingly, the final chapter hints at an entirely separate book's worth of material , Sage's postwar contributions to special forces and intelligence services are touched on only briefly, leaving you wanting considerably more. The book also stops short of exploring his personal life and family in any meaningful way, which would have given the narrative greater depth and emotional resonance. Overall this is a gripping and well told piece of historical nonfiction. I would recommend it to anyone interested in World War II, the experience of POWs in German camps, and the turbulent aftermath of the war in Eastern Europe as the Russians advanced into Poland.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really three different books in one.

First a thrilling swashbuckler following the exploits of OSS operative Jerry Sage. He's handsome, resourceful, charismatic and anti-Nazi to his core.

Second we follow his arduous journey through post-war Europe. His encounters with the Red Army are unsettling to say the least. He fights for basic necessities for refugees and the remaining Allied troops. I would have liked more time spent on this part of his story - his impressions of the coming Cold War were eye-opening.

Third is a superficial account of the dissolution of the OSS followed by a recruitment essay for the military.

I'm glad I read it. He's a fascinating guy with a unique military history and perspective. But I was disappointed by the weight given to the adventure story when there was clearly so much more depth to draw on.

[Zachary Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Great Escape" has always been one of my favorite movies but I never knew that the character Steve McQueen played was an actual person. This isn't a dense history book but one that puts you in the middle of the action. I liked the perspective of this biography being told in third person with the occasional historical background provided. I'm only giving it 4 stars as I had trouble following some parts of the story since I listened to the audio version but perhaps I would have understood better reading the physical copy.