Code Name Dagger

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.