How could he be a paratrooper in the 1st Infantry Division, when that division had no organice parachute battalions or regiments and appears to not have had parachute units as attachments either? Parachute infantry typically were organic ergiments of the Airborne divisions or independent parachute battalions and regiments attached to corps and army headquarters for an operational assignment. What parachute infantry, artillery, or other parachute unit was it?
He could have been jump qualified prior to assignment to 1st MarDiv. Once you earn those wings, you keep them.
It was my undestanding that he was originally assigned to and trained with the Big Red One in Fort Benning Georgia. That paratroop unit was his original unit and I assumed that it was part of the Big Red One. My father was very proud of being a member of the paratroopers as well he should have been. He broke both ankles in a training accident when something on one of the rigs that they used to simulate jumps on the ground broke, this caused him to have to transfer to air corp where he spent the duration as a turret gunner on B-24's where he flew missions while being stationed first in North Africa, then Sicily, and Italy.
My father was very proud of making that paratroop unit as there were a lot of soldiers who wanted to be in the unit but could not pass the rigid physical tests required. He always fondly spoke of training with the Big Red One at Fort Benning, Georgia.
That is probably an accurate statement that he did train with the Big Red One and I was in error saying that he served in the Big Red One. I should have said the he served with or trained with the Big Red One.
I appreciate that you read this forum close enough to question any fact that may be in error. It keeps people honest and accurate. I am honest and I always intend to be accurate, but like most people I miss that mark too often.