Although the 82nd Airborne was organized in 1917 during America's involvement in the First World War it was during the Second World War that the unit gained its reputation. Its distinctive name was garnered from the fact that members of the division originated from communities throughout the entire country so the term "All American" was utilized and explains the presence of the distinctive "AA" on the division's shoulder patch. The division saw limited involvement during the First World War as it saw service in only three battles but one of the most famous characters emerging from the War, Sergeant York, was a member of the 82nd Airborne. Sergeant York was honored with the Medal of Honor for his efforts in single-handily killing a number of Germans and capturing over a hundred of other German soldiers during the Meuse-Argonne offensive (Pushies). Following the end of the First World War, the division, consistent with the nation's intent to withdraw from international affairs, was disbanded but as the United States began to prepare for entry into the Second World War the unit was reactivated. This time, however, the activities of the division were altered from being a routine infantry unit into the country's first army division dedicated to airborne activities and its name was changed from being the 82nd Division to its present designation as the 82nd Airborne. As an airborne unit, the 82nd was at the forefront in battles in Sicily, Salerno, Normandy and Holland where its
even requested them to be attached to the French Army. But the War Department refused and the 92nd moved on to participate heroically in the September 1918 Meuse-Argonne offensive.
When Allied commanders during World War II needed engineers to clear the beaches of Normandy, when the 4th Infantry Division needed airfields repaired, roads maintained, and bridges built in Vietnam, and when the 24th Infantry Division needed someone to identify and mark the main routes into Iraq during the Gulf War there was one unit that stood above all others. That unit was the 299th Combat Engineer Battalion. The 299th was activated on March 1st, 1943 at Camp White, Oregon. Since then the unit has been put on reserve and active status, deactivated and reactivated, and assigned many different higher headquarters in order to meet the Army’s mission. The 299th Combat Engineer Battalion had always been quick to act, brave under fire, and completed crucial missions in order to ensure the mobility of the main force. The 299th is a very distinctive and proud unit.
attached. On 10 September 1951, they had fired their 150,000th round of the war. 96th Battalion
In a world that grows ever more complex, the technologies and innovations that improve lives are saddled to the mechanisms of war and defense. It is within the institutions chartered to protect our interests that the speed of the world weighs most heavy. Steadfast, and always with an eye towards the future, it is important to understand how the branch arrived at its current configuration and in what direction it should move to provide the most effective trajectory for development, advancement, and refinery. An excerpt from (McKenney, iii) explains:
The 200th Coastal Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment also known as “The Regiment” played a very pivotal role in Air Defense history. In September of 1941 the 200th Regiment with all its equipment and personnel were moved from the mainland to the Philippines and took up defensive positions at Fort Stotsenberg which was located roughly 75 miles north of Manila. At Fort Stotsenberg the 200th spent the coming months training and getting used to their surroundings. After months of training in simulated conditions, all the men of the 200th Regiment would be put to the test. On December 8, 1941 one day after the men got word of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the men of the 200th were attacked by the Japanese in a daring nighttime airborne assault which
The U.S. allies were, “3rd Canadian Division”, (Canada), “Elements of the 79th Armoured Division”, ( U.K), “50th Infantry Division”, (U.K.), “Elements of the 8th Armoured Brigade”, (U.K.), “6th Airborne Division”, (U.K), and “3rd Infantry Division”, (U.K.).
“Four-Forty-Second Infantry / We're the boys of Hawai'i nei / We'll fight for you / And the Red, White and Blue, And go to the front. / And back to Honolulu-lulu. / Fighting for dear old Uncle Sam / Go for broke! / HOOH! / We don't give a damn! / We'll round up the Huns / At the point of our guns, / And vict'ry will be ours! / GO FOR BROKE! / FOUR-FOUR-TWO! / GO FOR BROKE! / FOUR-FOUR-TWO! And vict'ry will be ours!” (442nd Unit Fight Song). Just as many historical songs are wont to be subjected to select refinements, the 422nd Unit Fight Song is no exception. Primitively the song had the phrases “One-Puka-Puka” in place of what is currently “Four-Forty-Second” suggesting the song was originally written for the
The 369th Infantry Regiment otherwise known as the Harlem Hellfighters was the first all-black US combat unit that was shipped during WW I and was crucial in the WWII battles in Hawaii and Okinawa. These members who were skilled and very proud were shipped to Hawaii and protected the Hawaiian islands with antiaircraft from Japanese attack. William De Fossett was one of the main leaders of the 369th regiment, who joined it due to the regiments fame from the waning days of World War I. The original Harlem Hellfighters fought with the French Army and were awarded for their excellent service. De Fossett made the highly selective and demanding requirements of the 369th regiment. He grew up in the highly cultured
President Eisenhower sent 1,200 members of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Kentucky and placed them in charge of the 10,000 National Guardsmen on duty.
The December 7, 1941 sneak attack on Pearl Harbor called forth mass-enlistment in every branch of the Armed Forces by young Americans; Audie Murphy was among them. Audie applied to the U.S. Army and in June 1942 was enlisted into the 3rd Infantry Division - 15th Regiment. During the course of World War II, Audie served in seven major campaigns, was promoted from Private to First Lieutenant, and was received 24 decorations, including the Medal of Honor, which he earned on January 26, 1945. His actions in earning the Medal of Honor were by the Secretary of War as ""¦indomitable courage and"¦refusal to give an inch of ground" (U. S. Secretary of War, 1945), and more pointedly described by an eyewitness as ""¦the greatest display of
The changes in the technology of warfare produced new types of units to replace the old ones. As a result, soldiers were often tasked with serving in a regiment with little or no history. Such was the case with the 69th New York Infantry, the “Fighting Irish”, a regiment that traces its roots to 1775. In 1917 preceding deployment in the First World War, the 69th New York Infantry Regiment was
The NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) is a continental air defense warning system that was established in 1957 to ensure Canada’s safety during the Cold War. This system is able to detect Soviet missiles and warheads that might be approaching Canada. NORAD consists of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S Air Force (USAF). This event is significant because of the following reasons; it created a stronger bond between the U.S and Canada, NORAD and it protected Canada from any attacks. NORAD created a stronger bond between the U.S and Canada because it created a relationship where the U.S and Canada had to work together to defend North America and its citizens. The NORAD establishment has brought the two nations together and
This paper explores the contribution of 82nd Airborne Division Combat Engineers in World War II. During an Allied Force mission dubbed, “Operation Market Garden”, the city of Nijmegan was integral in the overall success or failure in defeating the German Forces. On the outskirts of Nijmegan, the Waal River separated Allied Forces from the German Panzer Divisions. This paper will annotate the experiences, contributions, and actions of combat engineers assigned to Charlie Company 307th Engineer Battalion. This paper will also provide you excerpts from an actual After Actions Review (AAR) of the operation to cross the Waal River, to include quotes from the actual engineers that were involved with the river crossing. This paper will
The Aviation Branch of the U.S. Army, as we know it today, did not exist at the turn of the 1800 to 1900 centuries. The military did use a Balloon Corps and Detachment for the Civil and Spanish-American Wars respectfully. However, the Army deactivated both organizations after their usage in the campaigns. These artillery spotters and reconnoiters were helpful. However, the leadership did not see a usage for them outside of war. Therefore, it would take someone understanding the potential of air power to open a door for its peacetime usage. This occurred with the birth of the Signal Corps.
Band of Brothers is a book chronicalizing the emotions, bonds, tragedies and tactics used by Easy Company in the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne which is one of the highest decorated companies from World War II in the United States armed forces. It is written by Stephen Ambrose, a distinguished history professor at the University of New Orleans and noted American historian and biographer.