Danger 79er: The Life and Times of Lieutenant General James F. Hollingsworth (Volume 160)

Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series #160

by James H. Willbanks

In Danger 79er , historian James H. Willbanks tells the remarkable story of Lt. Gen. James F. Hollingsworth, a three-time recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross along with four Silver Stars, six Purple Hearts, and a host of additional medals and commendations. His career spanned wars both cold and hot, and throughout, “Holly” was a hard-charging, hands-on soldier who could be irreverent and brash but always “led from the front.”

Hollingsworth entered the US Army as a second lieutenant upon graduation from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). In World War II, while leading tanks in Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army, Hollingsworth encountered dug-in German defenders. He lined up his thirty-four tanks and issued a command rarely heard in modern Charge! Patton later recognized Hollingsworth as one of the two best armored battalion commanders in the war.

Twenty years later, Hollingsworth served in Vietnam, where he became identified by the radio call-sign of “Danger 79er,” a designation that remained for the duration of his career. He later served in South Korea commanding I Corps (ROK/US) Group, the largest combined field army in the world. Even after retirement from active duty, Hollingsworth continued to serve as a military adviser during the Cold War.

Danger 79er  provides a compelling and inspiring read as it recounts the exciting story of one of the most decorated soldiers in the history of the US Army.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2018

Reviews

[Nancy Reynolds]

I read this book because my father told me about his experiences with General Hollingsworth as a battalion commander in Korea. While outwardly vulgar and crass, Hollingsworth could sniff out weakness, but held strength and authenticity in high regard. My father remembered a time when Hollingsworth visited him unexpectedly while training troops and noticed one of the soldiers had a bandage on his hand. Hollingsworth made the soldier remove the dressing and was pleased there was salve applied. My father gained clarity from this book as Hollingsworth recounts a time when someone took care of his injury by applying tobacco for pain. While he may be remembered by some for his gruffness and intimidation, he really was a man who would do anything he asked of anyone in his command and genuinely cared about the "little fellers". He loved and respected my Dad. I commented once to my Dad, who also served as General Westmoreland's chief of staff, that I don't think Hollingsworth probably liked or respected Westmoreland and vice versa. Westmoreland was all about image and standing, and I could relate a couple stories that would indicate that he and his wife could be uppity snobs. Hollingsworth was the polar opposite of that, but people may not know it if they only took into consideration his gruff exterior. RIP General Hollingsworth. You were a great American.

[Marc]

I was a cadet at A&M and sadly, had never heard of General Hollingsworth while there. Most deserving of his statue on campus. It's a pretty good book. My main complaint is about the lack of maps and the lack of detail on those present. Hard to read about a battle and not being able to see what happened. Well-written. Flows well.

[Col ret Peter G. Cei]

Vietnam remembered

I served under Hollingsworth in Vietnam during his command of the third military region. This was the highlight of my second tour of duty in southeast asia. He was a no nonsense commander who was totally committed to getting the job done!