This year's summer marks the 80th anniversary of the activation of a celebrated American Army division. The 101st Airborne Division came into existence on August 16, 1942, and the "Screaming Eagles" quickly soared to legendary status. With a proud service history in World War II, Vietnam, and more recently Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations, they are a shining example of American military excellence.
The history of the 101st arguably began in World War I, when the 101st Infantry Division was set up. Its headquarters was organized 9 days before the end of the war, so the unit didn't see action, and was reconstituted in the Organized Reserves in 1921. The division was stationed in Wisconsin at this time, and reached back to the state's Civil War history for its identity. The Screaming Eagle, which appears on the division unit patch today, was adopted during this period. It refers to a real bald eagle named Old Abe (Read our earlier article: Old Abe, the original Screaming Eagle), who was the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment. The black shield on which the eagle is depicted in the unit patch is also a Civil War reference, to the Iron Brigade, another unit with Wisconsin connections whose soldiers wore black hats. Read the entire story Here.
This is from: Beaches of Normandy Tours
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My uncle Ed was in the 101st. We lost him on Christmas Eve during WWII somewhere over Europe. I'm not sure of the year now. Would have loved to have met/known him. RIP Sir.
ReplyDeleteHad two tours of duty with the 101st. Not my favorite assignment but could have been worse.
ReplyDeleteI have a ten year skydiving career starting in 1989. During my stay at Peninsula Skydivers in West Point, VA in the 90s, I jumped with the Golden Knights, both black and gold teams. The Virginia Parachute Council (VPC) scrambles were great way to interact with the Army teams. What a great, professional group.
ReplyDeleteHi Irish!!!,
ReplyDeleteThx for the Tribute!!!
As an "OLD!!" Skydiver I'd like to say that "Back in the DAY!!" . Early dayz of that "Sport" of "Skydivin'!!" ... Early 1960's.. Ya' showed up at the local "DZ!!"... usually some podunk airport with a beat up Cessna 170 or the like to jump... The Troops were usually "Local People" with a now and then transient... "BUT!!" one thing for sure... there were these troops ... ya' could tell. that have "BEEN THERE!!!!"... This was the early daze in "Skydivin,'" of Mil-Surplus Chutes, Mechanics Coveralls for Jumpsuits, Football Helmets and "Combat Boots!!!!!"....... EXCEPT!!!... for these interesting troops who carried a "Flair of Bravado" not even found on the "Drag Racing Racing strip!!!" ... They came out with the regular Skydivn' Gear we had but one thing for sure ... every move they made was "For REAL!!" .. Like I said they had the regular gear but instead of regular issue "Combat boots".... they Sported "Corcoran JUMP BOOTS!!!!!" and Bitch!!!!! THEY WERE SPIT SHINED!!!!!!!! (Hell of a note if yer' just sport jumpin'!!?!!) AND!! Most of us had a Ball cap which sported our "Skydivin' Wings!!!," These guys had their original Berets with their "AIRBORNE WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!"
Louisiana Skydivers from Baton Rouge showed up at our airport .. an old WWII former training base now turned over to the Parish Govt!! Only thing happening is the AIR GUARD the local CAP and the grass growing between the cracks in the parking apron and runway!!!!! These Guys showed up from Louisiana Skydivers and started jumping there in about late 1961 or early '62?? anyway I was 15 years old, in the local CAP unit and got to know these troops!!! The most "KOOL GUY" Bob Welsh!! former 82nd AIRBORNE!! ..Yup, spit shined Corcoran's and the Beret with his AIRBORNE wings!! Became a good friend!!.. Got my first Sport Harness and container as well as a bunch of other gear from him and made several jumps with him... (sometimes when I have more time I have a few TALL TALES to be told over TALL GLASSES of COLD BEER' about those daze!! ) One short one.. Ted Sullivan my friend from School started jumping before I did Ted Jump mastered me on a couple of my training jumps and we made many others!! Well, (The Good Part) Ted got "DRAFTED" in mid 1965 and was going into the US ARMY. Bob said,"When ya' get there... GO AIRBORNE and make sure ya' get the 82nd' (Bob's Unit!!) Ted Did THAT!!!
Bob and Ted have both "Gone On to that DZ in the Sky!!".... Fly on Guyz!!!
"But!!!!!" I'm still here Irish!!!!! 'Have to keep postin' the way we are!!
NEED!!! More "MK-IV, MOD-O High Speed Hot Brash Catcher's...... and a few doin' the "Hot Brass Boogie" "
You Know the Drill.......
Audentes, Fortuna, Iuvat!!!!,
skybill
Just one story Irish!!!!!! I got a bunch more!! Ya' outa' know me by now!!
PS Besides the "AA-- All American" I know and have jumped with many troops sporting the "Screaming Eagle" Just to let you know ... along with a whole host of all branches of our Armed Forces!!!!!!
Vicksburg. Been there twice in my life. Hell of a battle zone in that day. All should visit there.
ReplyDeleteIn Vietnam slang, also known as the 1-o-worst, or Puking Buzzards.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was 101st , 30 year lifer. My mother used to tell him " Two things that fall out of the sky that are hard to tell apart, bird shit and paratroopers" then she'd run like hell!
ReplyDelete