Steven R. Zaley is the author of They Are Only Gone If They Are Forgotten: A Story about One of the Original Companies of the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Combat Team, Third Battalion, Headquarters Company. His work stands as both a historical record and a heartfelt tribute to the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, with a particular focus on the service and sacrifice of his father, for whom he was named.

Zaley’s book meticulously documents his father’s journey—from his early years, through the grueling training with the newly-formed 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and into the crucible of combat as part of one of the 82nd Airborne Division’s original combat teams. This unit would go on to make history with four daring combat jumps: Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and Holland. These operations were not just pivotal battles of World War II, but defining moments that cemented the reputation of American airborne forces.

The inspiration for Zaley’s research began in the wake of personal loss. After his father’s passing in 1997, Steven had a pivotal conversation with a military chaplain of the 82nd Airborne, who invited him to speak to a group of modern-day paratroopers about his father’s experiences. What started as a moment of remembrance grew into a profound mission: to preserve the legacy of his father and the men of the 82nd so that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.

Driven by this purpose, Zaley spent years immersed in original source materials—orders, after-action reports, military newspaper accounts, and oral histories from surviving 82nd Airborne veterans. The result is a deeply researched and emotionally powerful narrative that brings to life not only the strategies and battles of World War II, but also the human stories of courage, brotherhood, and resilience.

Through his writing, Steven R. Zaley ensures that the legacy of these paratroopers endures. His work serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom, the strength of ordinary men in extraordinary times, and the importance of remembering those who came before us.