Airborne All the Way! 
Posted on 08/16/2009 7:43:47 PM PDT by smokingfrog
August is a seminal month in the history of the airborne, and especially of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Aug. 15, 1942, is the birth date of the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions.
"Airborne" was already well under way before the magic date 67 years ago when the War Department formally ordered the formation of two divisions of jumpers and glidermen.
Battalions of jumpers had been training at Fort Benning, Ga., since 1940, and the high command of the Army was eager to grow the airborne force.
By March, a new infantry division, the 82nd, was activated for training at Camp Claiborne, La.
The 82nd already carried a proud name, given to it during service in World War I.
The original "All American" was initially composed of draftees from nearly every state in the country, and "All American" came naturally when the Army began giving nicknames to the big units that went to France in 1918.
In that war, the 82nd was especially well known because of the exploits of a lanky corporal from Tennessee.
Alvin C. York was awarded every medal the Allies could bestow because of his celebrated performance battling the German enemy in the final month of World War I.
If the airborne pioneers had their way, the reactivated division of York's famed division would eventually morph into airborne.
To get ready for airborne's growth, also in March of 1942 the "father of the airborne," Col. William C. Lee, moved his training staff from Fort Benning to the former artillery post in the Carolina Sandhills, just down the road from his hometown of Dunn.
He had always meant Fort Bragg to become the eventual "home of the airborne."
(Excerpt) Read more at fayobserver.com ...
Airborne All the Way!
Only crazy people jump out of perfectly good working airplanes.
I respect your enthusiasm...but when you do this sht for real every day and see people get hurt, it’s different.
Are you Benning or Bragg?
I guess some people figure you must have a few screws loose to do it, but what can I say? Lucky for me, never got seriously hurt.
Ft. Bragg & Ft. Stewart
Rgr that brother
I’m gonna sign off
This feels wierd, too close to home
Campbell Red Cloud Bragg
Praise God for 82nd Airborne. Keep them safe and secure.
And please don’t let this administration screw them up. Allow them to do their job.
Bump for later.
I got mine...almost exactly 41 yrs ago....GOOD LORD!
Airborne & AMEN!
All The Way
...and my knees click just for fun lol.
My son is currently an 82nd soldier. He just informed me today that he gets to attend the convention in Indy. Should be a great experience for the junior officer.
Fort Bragg. Home of Pine Trees and Sand Dunes.
Happy Birthday Eighty Deuce ( Almost Airborne )
Screaming Eagles ALL THE WAY. GERONIMO!
You’ve got me beat by 6 years.
What was the best portrayal of 82nd in films? A BRIDGE TOO FAR? (With Robert Redford)
That should be a great experience.
...and there are still a few of the oldtimers around to hear great stories from...altough, I suspect that the new guys can give them a run for their money now.
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