82nd Airborne Division
82nd Airborne Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Active:	1917–
Country:	USA
Branch:	Regular Army
Type:	Infantry Airborne Infantry
Role:	Vertical Envelopment
Garrison/HQ:	Fort Bragg, NC
Commanders
Notable commanders:	Matthew B. Ridgway James M. Gavin Omar N. Bradley
Culture and history
Nickname:	All-Americans
Motto:	"ALL THE WAY!"
Notable battles or wars:	Operation Avalanche Battle of Normandy Operation Market Garden Battle of the Bulge

The 82^nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was constituted in the National Army as the 82^nd Division on August 5, 1917, and was organized on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. Since members of the division came from all 48 states, the unit was given the nickname "All-Americans," the basis for its famed "AA" shoulder patch. Famous soldiers of the division include Sergeant Alvin C. York and General James M. Gavin. Image File history File links 82_ABD_SSI.PNG // Summary SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA. Description: Upon a red square 2 3/8 inches on a side a blue disc 1 3/4 inches in diameter with the letters AA in white. ... The Regular Army is the name given to the permanent force of the United States Army that is maintained during peacetime. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... U.S. paratroopers jump into Australia on a military training exercise. ... Fort Bragg is a census-designated place and a major United States Army fort, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA, near Fayetteville. ... Matthew Bunker Ridgway (March 3, 1895 - July 26, 1993) was a United States Army general. ... James Maurice Jumpin Jim Gavin (born as James Nally Ryan; March 22, 1907, New York, New York - February 23, 1990, Baltimore, Maryland) was an American Lieutenant General. ... Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 - April 8, 1981) was one of the main US Army field commanders in North Africa and Europe during World War II. Bradley was born to a poor family near Clark, Missouri, the son of a schoolteacher. ... Operation Avalanche was the codename for the landings near the port of Salerno, executed on 9 September 1943, part of the Allied invasion of Italy. ... Combatants Allied Powers Nazi Germany Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower (Supreme Allied Commander) Bernard Montgomery (land) Bertram Ramsay (sea) Trafford Leigh-Mallory (air) Gerd von Rundstedt (OB WEST) Erwin Rommel (Heeresgruppe B) Strength 326,000 (by June 11) Unknown, probably some 1,000,000 in France by early June, but split... Combatants United Kingdom United States Poland Nazi Germany Commanders Bernard Montgomery Gerd von Rundstedt Strength XXX Corps, 35,000 airborne 20,000 Casualties 18,000 casualties 13,000 casualties Operation Market Garden (September 17-September 25, 1944) was an Allied military operation in World War II. Its tactical objectives were... Combatants United States United Kingdom Germany Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower Gerd von Rundstedt Strength Dec 16 - start of the Battle: about 83,000 men; 242 Sherman tanks, 182 tank destroyers, and 394 pieces of corps and divisional artillery. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The National Army was the combined conscript and volunteer force that was was formed by the United States War Department in 1918 to fight in World War I. The National Army was formed from the old corps of the United States Army, augmented by units of the United States National... August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Overview Fort Gordon is the home of the United States Army Signal Corps and Signal Center. ... Sgt. ... James Maurice Jumpin Jim Gavin (born as James Nally Ryan; March 22, 1907, New York, New York - February 23, 1990, Baltimore, Maryland) was an American Lieutenant General. ...

World War I

WWI 82^nd Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia.

Between April and July, 1918, less than a year after its formation, the division deployed in small unit groups to France to fight in World War I. In nearly five months of combat the 82^nd fought in three major campaigns and helped to break the German Imperial Army. Image File history File links 82nd_WWI_insignia. ... Combatants Allied Powers: British Empire French Empire Italy Russian Empire Kingdom of Serbia United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria German Empire Ottoman Empire Commanders Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Ferdinand Foch Nikolay II Nikolay Yudenich Radomir Putnik Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Reinhard Scheer Franz Josef I Oskar...

• World War I Casualties

1. 1,298 Killed in Action
2. 6,248 Wounded in Action

After the Great War, the 82^nd was demobilized May 27, 1919 at Camp Upton, at Yaphank, New York. The 82^nd was reconstituted on June 24, 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters, 82^nd Division, and was organized on September 23, 1921 at Columbia, South Carolina. May 27 is the 147th day (148th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 218 days remaining. ... 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The area of central Suffolk County, New York presently occupied by Brookhaven National Laboratory once served the nation in a different manner. ... Yaphank is a hamlet (and census-designated place) located in Suffolk County, New York. ... June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... September 23 is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years). ... 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Nickname: The Capital of Southern Hospitality, The Metro Location in Richland County, South Carolina Country State Counties United States South Carolina Richland Lexington Mayor Bob Coble, (D) Area    - City 127. ...

World War II

Louisiana to Italy

The 82^nd Division was redesignated February 13, 1942 as Division Headquarters, 82^nd Division. After the outbreak of World War II, it was recalled to active service on March 25, 1942, and reorganized at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under the command of Major General Omar N. Bradley. During this time spent in training, the division brought together three officers who would ultimately steer the US Army during the next two decades: Matthew B. Ridgway, James M. Gavin, and Maxwell D. Taylor. February 13 is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Combatants Allies: Soviet Union United Kingdom United States and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Franklin Roosevelt Joseph Stalin Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000... March 25 is the 84th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (85th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... Camp Claiborne was a U.S. Army military camp during World War II located in Rapides Parish in central Louisiana. ... Official language(s) English and French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans at last census; probably Baton Rouge since Hurricane Katrina Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33... Omar Nelson Bradley (February 12, 1893 - April 8, 1981) was one of the main US Army field commanders in North Africa and Europe during World War II. Bradley was born to a poor family near Clark, Missouri, the son of a schoolteacher. ... Matthew Bunker Ridgway (March 3, 1895 - July 26, 1993) was a United States Army general. ... James Maurice Jumpin Jim Gavin (born as James Nally Ryan; March 22, 1907, New York, New York - February 23, 1990, Baltimore, Maryland) was an American Lieutenant General. ... General Maxwell Taylor General Maxwell Davenport Taylor (August 26, 1901 – April 19, 1987) was an American soldier and diplomat of the mid-20th century. ...

82^nd Airborne Division Distinctive Unit Insignia

On August 15, 1942, the 82^nd Infantry Division became the first airborne division in the U.S. Army, and was redesignated the 82^nd Airborne Division. In April 1943, paratroopers of the 82^nd Airborne Division deployed to North Africa under the command of Major General Matthew B. Ridgway to participate in the campaign to invade Italy. The Division's first two combat operations were parachute and glider assaults into Sicily on July 9 and Salerno on September 13, 1943. The initial assault on Sicily, by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was the first regimental sized combat parachute assault conducted by the United States Army. Image File history File links 82_ABD_DUI.PNG // Summary DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device, 1 1/8 inches in height overall consisting of pair of blue enamel stylized wings, tips down surmounted by a white enamel fleur-de-lis supported by a blue enamel scroll... Image File history File links 82_ABD_DUI.PNG // Summary DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA. Description: A silver color metal and enamel device, 1 1/8 inches in height overall consisting of pair of blue enamel stylized wings, tips down surmounted by a white enamel fleur-de-lis supported by a blue enamel scroll... August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (228th in leap years), with 138 days remaining. ... This article is about the year. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... An American Paratrooper using a T-10C series parachute Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and formed into an airborne force. ... Matthew Bunker Ridgway (March 3, 1895 - July 26, 1993) was a United States Army general. ... The Apollo 15 capsule landed safely despite a parachute failure. ... Gliders are heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight. ... Husky was also the codename of Australian military support to Sierra Leone ending in February 2003. ... July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ... Map of Italy showing Salerrno southeast of Naples Salerno is a town and a province capital in Campania, south-western Italy, located on the gulf of the same name on the Tyrrhenian Sea. ... September 13 is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (505th PIR) is one of three infantry regiments of the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army. ...

In January 1944, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was temporarily detached from the division to fight at Anzio, adopted the nickname "Devils in Baggy Pants," taken from an entry in a German officer's diary. While the 504th was detached, the remainder of the 82^nd was pulled out of Italy in November 1943 and moved to the United Kingdom to prepare for the liberation of Europe. See RAF North Witham and RAF Folkingham. It has been suggested that 504 PIR World War Two Campaign Details be merged into this article or section. ... Anzio (2003 pop. ... RAF North Witham at British national grid reference SK947229, an air station of the Second World War period, established by the British Royal Air Force, was lent to the United States Army Air Forces and is now abandoned in Twyford Wood, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire. ... Location within the British Isles RAF Folkingham at British national grid reference SK0530, an air station of the Second World War period, was established in phases on a convex hilltop, by the British Royal Air Force and was lent to the United States Army Air Forces. ...

France to Germany

With two combat jumps under its belt, the 82^nd Airborne Division was now ready for the most ambitious airborne operation of the war, Operation Neptune -- the invasion of Normandy. The operation was part of Operation Overlord, the amphibious assault on the northern coast of Nazi-occupied France. In preparation for the operation, the division was reorganized. Two new parachute infantry regiments, the 507th and the 508th, joined the division. Due to a need for integrating replacement troops, rest, and refitting following the fighting in Italy, the 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment was not assigned to the division for the invasion. On June 5, 1944 and June 6, 1944, the paratroopers of the 82^nd's three parachute infantry regiments and reinforced glider infantry regiment, the 325th, boarded hundreds of transport planes and gliders and began the largest airborne assault in history. Operation Neptune refers to the landing phase of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy. ... Mont Saint Michel, one of the famous symbols of Normandy. ... The Battle of Normandy was fought in 1944 between the German forces occupying Western Europe and the invading Allies. ... During World War II, the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (507th PIR) was a regiment of the 82d Airborne Division and, later, 17th Airborne Division of the United States Army. ... During World War II, the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508th PIR or Red Devils) was a regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division which in turn became part of XVIII Airborne Corps of the United States Army. ... June 5 is the 156th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (157th in leap years), with 209 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (158th in leap years), with 208 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Lineage for the 1st Battalion - 325th Infantry Regiment Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Company A, 325th Infantry, an element of the 82d Division Organized 1 September 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia Demobilized 18 May 1919 at Camp Upton, New York Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the...

By the time the All-American Division was pulled back to England, it had seen 33 days of bloody combat and suffered 5,245 paratroopers killed, wounded, or missing. The Division's post-battle report, authored by Ridgway, stated in part, "...33 days of action without relief, without replacements. Every mission accomplished. No ground gained was ever relinquished." Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification    - by Athelstan 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi   - Water (%) Population...

Following the Normandy invasion, the 82^nd became part of the newly organized XVIII Airborne Corps, which consisted of the U.S. 17^th, 82^nd, and 101^st Airborne Divisions. Ridgway was given command of XVIII Airborne Corps, but was not promoted to Lieutenant General until 1945. His recommendation for succession as commander was Brigadier General James M. Gavin. Ridgway's recommendation met with approval, and upon promotion Gavin became the youngest two-star general since the Civil War to command a US Army division. Patch of the XVIII Airborne Corps. ... The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) —nicknamed the Screaming Eagles— is an air assault division of the United States Army mainly trained for air assault operations. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... James Maurice Jumpin Jim Gavin (born as James Nally Ryan; March 22, 1907, New York, New York - February 23, 1990, Baltimore, Maryland) was an American Lieutenant General. ... The Civil War is by far the most common term for this conflict; see Naming the American Civil War. ...

82^nd Airborne Division drop near Grave in the Netherlands during Operation MARKET-GARDEN. (National Archives)

On 2 August 1944 the division became part of the First Allied Airborne Army. In September, the 82^nd began planning for Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. The operation called for three-plus airborne divisions to seize and hold key bridges and roads deep behind German lines. The 504th, now back at full strength, was reassigned to the 82^nd, while the 507th was assigned to the 17^th Airborne Division. On September 17, the 82^nd conducted its fourth combat jump of World War II, into the Netherlands. Fighting off German counterattacks, the 82^nd captured its objectives between Grave, and Nijmegen. Its success, however, was short-lived because the defeat of other Allied units at Arnhem. After a period of duty on the Arnhem front, the 82^nd was relieved by Canadian troops, and sent to France. 82d Airborne Division drop near Grave in the Netherlands during Operation MARKET-GARDEN. (National Archives) File links The following pages link to this file: Operation Market Garden U.S. 82nd Airborne Division ... 82d Airborne Division drop near Grave in the Netherlands during Operation MARKET-GARDEN. (National Archives) File links The following pages link to this file: Operation Market Garden U.S. 82nd Airborne Division ... August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... Badge of the First Allied Airborne Army The First Allied Airborne Army was part of the Allied Expeditionary Force in North West Europe in 1944 and 1945. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Poland Nazi Germany Commanders Bernard Montgomery Gerd von Rundstedt Strength XXX Corps, 35,000 airborne 20,000 Casualties 18,000 casualties 13,000 casualties Operation Market Garden (September 17-September 25, 1944) was an Allied military operation in World War II. Its tactical objectives were... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... Combatants Allies: Soviet Union United Kingdom United States and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Franklin Roosevelt Joseph Stalin Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000... Grave has multiple meanings: A grave (IPA: ) is a place for the dead, see tomb, burial, grave (burial) A grave accent (IPA: ) is a type of diacritical mark (as in French crème de la crème). ... Country Netherlands Province Gelderland Area - Land - Water 57. ... Arnhem is a municipality and a city in the east of the Netherlands, located on the Lower Rhine, and the capital of the Gelderland province. ...

On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest which was known as the Battle of the Bulge. Two days later the 82^nd joined the fighting and blunted General Gerd von Rundstedt's northern penetration in the American lines. During this campaign, in one of the most memorable quotes of the war, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, told a sergeant in a retreating tank destroyer to, "...pull your vehicle behind me - I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!" After helping to secure the Ruhr, the division ended the war at Ludwigslust past the Elbe River, accepting the surrender of Lieutenant General Kurt von Tippelskirch's 21st Army Group. Over 150,000 troops surrendered to the division. General Omar N. Bradley's reaction is worth an aside; he claimed in a 1975 interview with Gavin that Montgomery told him German opposition was too great to cross the Elbe. When Gavin's division crossed it, it moved 36 miles in one day and captured over 100,000 troops, causing great laughter in Bradley's 12th Army Group headquarters. December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests and rolling hill country (its highest point is under 700 m), primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France (lending its name to the Ardennes département and the Champagne-Ardenne région) and Germany, where this range is known as... Combatants United States United Kingdom Germany Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower Gerd von Rundstedt Strength Dec 16 - start of the Battle: about 83,000 men; 242 Sherman tanks, 182 tank destroyers, and 394 pieces of corps and divisional artillery. ... Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt Karl Rudolf Gerd von Rundstedt (December 12, 1875 - February 24, 1953) was a Field Marshal of the German Army during World War II. He was one of Germanys more competent generals, and is remembered for remaining apolitical throughout his career. ... Map of Germany showing Ludwigslust Ludwigslust is a town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, 40 km south of Schwerin. ... The Elbe River (Czech Labe, Sorbian/Lusatian Łobjo, Polish Łaba, German Elbe) is one of the major waterways of central Europe. ...

Following the surrender of Germany, the 82^nd was ordered to Berlin for occupation duty. In Berlin General George Patton was so impressed with the 82^nd's honor guard he said, "In all my years in the Army and all the honor guards I have ever seen, the 82^nd's honor guard is undoubtedly the best." Hence the "All-Americans" became also known as "America's Guard of Honor." The 82^nd was scheduled to partake in the invasion of Japan, but the war ended before their departure. This article is about the capital of Germany. ... General George Smith Patton Jr. ...

During the invasion of Italy in World War II, Will Lang Jr. of Time (magazine) was considered an honorary member of the 82nd Airborne Division by General Matthew B. Ridgway. Combatants Allies: Soviet Union United Kingdom United States and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Franklin Roosevelt Joseph Stalin Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000... Will Lang Jr. ... (Clockwise from upper left) Notable Time magazine covers from the dates May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ...

• Casualties

1. 1,619 Killed in Action
2. 6,560 Wounded in Action
3. 332 Died of Wounds

Post WWII

1946 to 1990

The division returned to the United States January 3, 1946. In 1947 the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was attached to the 82nd. Instead of being demobilized, the 82^nd made its permanent home at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was designated a regular Army division on November 15, 1948. The 82^nd was not sent to the Korean War, as both Presidents Truman and Eisenhower deemed it necessary to keep the division as a strategic reserve in the event of a Soviet ground attack anywhere in the world. Life in the 82^nd during the 1950s and 1960s consisted of intensive training exercises in all environments and locations, including Alaska, Panama, the Far East and the continental United States. January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The 555th Parachute Infantry Company (called the Triple Nickel, later the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion) was an all-black airborne unit that began service during World War II. It was the first African_American airborne unit, marking a tremendous milestone. ... Fort Bragg is a census-designated place and a major United States Army fort, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA, near Fayetteville. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Combatants Western Allied/UN combatants: South Korea United States United Kingdom Communist combatants: North Korea Peoples Republic of China Soviet Union Commanders Douglas MacArthur, Jeong Il-Gwon Kim Il-sung, Peng Dehuai Strength Note: All figures may vary according to source. ... Official language(s) English Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Area  Ranked 1st  - Total 663,267 sq mi (1,717,854 km²)  - Width 808 miles (1,300 km)  - Length 1,479 miles (2,380 km)  - % water 13. ...

In April 1965, the "All-Americans" were alerted for action in response to the civil war in the Dominican Republic. Spearheaded by the 3^rd Brigade, the 82^nd deployed to the Caribbean in Operation Power Pack. More than 3,000 Dominican died and "peace and stability were restored" by June 17. Central America and the Caribbean (detailed pdf map) The Caribbean (Spanish: Caribe; French: Caraïbe; Dutch: Caraïben; Portuguese: Caribe or Caraíbas) is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. ... Operation Power Pack was the American intervention in the Dominican Republic in 1965. ... June 17 is the 168th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (169th in leap years), with 197 days remaining. ...

Three years later, the 82^nd Airborne Division was again called to action. During the Tet Offensive, which swept across the Republic of Vietnam in January 1968, the 3^rd Brigade was alerted and within 24 hours, was en route to Chu Lai. The 3^rd Brigade performed combat duties in the Hué - Phu Bai area of the I Corps sector. Later the brigade was moved south to Saigon, and fought battles in the Mekong Delta, the Iron Triangle and along the Cambodian border. After serving nearly 22 months in Vietnam, the 3^rd Brigade troopers returned to Fort Bragg on December 12, 1969. Combatants United States, South Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia North Vietnam, National Liberation Front Commanders William Westmoreland Võ Nguyên Giáp Strength 50,000+ (estimate) 85,000+ (estimate) Casualties USA/AUS/SKOR: 1,536 dead, 7,764 wounded, 11 missing, ARVN: 2,788 dead, 8,299 wounded, 587 missing, Total... National motto: ??? Official language Vietnamese Capital Saigon Last President Duong Van Minh Last Prime Minister Vu Van Mau Area  - Total  - % water 173,809km² N/A population  - Total  - Density 19,370,000 (1973 est. ... Chu Lai (15. ... Huế (順化 in Chinese characters) is a city in Vietnam. ... Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnamese: Thành Chí Minh) is the largest city in Vietnam, located near the delta of the Mekong River. ... Mekong River Delta from space, February 1996 Mekong Delta, February 2005. ... Iron triangle is a phrase typically used by American political scientists to describe what are deemed to be cozy relationships in U.S. politics between the legislature, government bureaucracies, and constituencies; which ultimately result in very tight policy-making circles. ... December 12 is the 346th day (347th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 19 days remaining. ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ...

• Vietnam Casualties

1. 184 Killed in Action
2. 1,009 Wounded in Action

During the 1970s, division units deployed to the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and Greece for exercises in potential future battlegrounds. The division was also alerted three times. War in the Middle East in the fall of 1973 brought the 82^nd to full alert. Then in May 1978, the division was alerted for a possible drop into Zaire, and again in November 1979, the division was alerted for a possible operation to rescue the American hostages in Iran. The division formed the nucleus for the newly created Rapid Deployment Forces, a mobile force at a permanently high state of readiness. In 1977, a presidential directive called for a mobile force capable of responding to worldwide contingencies but to be established without diverting forces from NATO or Korea. ...

On October 25, 1983, elements of the 82^nd were called back to the Caribbean to the island of Grenada. The first 82^nd unit to deploy in the invasion of Grenada was a task force of the 2^nd and 3^rd Battalions of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. On October 26 and 27, the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry, and the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, with support units deployed to Grenada. Military operations in Grenada ended in early November. October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 67 days remaining. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Central America and the Caribbean (detailed pdf map) The Caribbean (Spanish: Caribe; French: Caraïbe; Dutch: Caraïben; Portuguese: Caribe or Caraíbas) is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Lineage for the 1st Battalion - 325th Infantry Regiment Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Company A, 325th Infantry, an element of the 82d Division Organized 1 September 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia Demobilized 18 May 1919 at Camp Upton, New York Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... During World War II, the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508th PIR or Red Devils) was a regiment of the 82d Airborne Division which in turn became part of XVIII Airborne Corps of the United States Army. ...

The operation tested the Division's ability to act as a rapid deployment force. The first aircraft carrying division troopers touched down at Point Salinas 17 hours after notification.

In March 1988, a brigade task force made up of two battalions from the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and 3rd battalion from the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment conducted a parachute insertion and airland operation into Honduras as part of Operation Golden Pheasant. The deployment was billed a joint training exercise, but the paratroopers were ready to fight. The deployment of armed and willing paratroopers to the Honduran countryside caused the Sandinistas to withdraw back to Nicaragua. Operation Golden Pheasant prepared the paratroopers for future combat in the increasingly unstable world. Operation Golden Pheasant was an emergency deployment of 82nd Airborne and 7th Infantry Division troops by parachute and regular air-landing operations to Honduras in 1988 as a show of force, as a result of threatening actions by the forces of the (then socialist) Nicaraguans. ... Sandinista! is also the name of a popular music album by The Clash. ...

On December 20, 1989, the "All-Americans," as part of the United States invasion of Panama, conducted their first combat jump since World War II onto Torrijos International Airport, Panama. The goal of the 1st Brigade task force, which was made up of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment as well as the 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, was to oust a dictator and restore the duly-elected government to power in Panama. They were joined on the ground by 3^rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was already in Panama. After the night combat jump and seizure of the airport, the 82^nd conducted follow-on combat air assault missions in Panama City and the surrounding areas. The paratroopers returned to Fort Bragg on January 12, 1990. December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants United States Panama Commanders General Carl W. Stiner Manuel Noriega Strength 27,684+ 3,000+ Casualties 23 Dead, 324 Wounded 450 Military, 200-4,000 Civilian U.S. Army Rangers prepare to take La Comandancia in the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City, December 1989. ... Combatants Allies: Soviet Union United Kingdom United States and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Franklin Roosevelt Joseph Stalin Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000... This article is about the capital of Panama. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ...

1990 to 2001

Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm: Iraq

Seven months later the paratroopers were again called to war. Six days after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the 82^nd became the vanguard of the largest deployment of American troops since Vietnam as part of Operation Desert Shield. The first unit to deploy to Saudi Arabia was a task force including the division's 2^nd Brigade. Soon after, the rest of the division followed. There, intensive training began in anticipation of fighting in the desert with the heavily armored Iraqi Army. August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ... This article is about the year. ... See also: 2003 invasion of Iraq and Gulf War (disambiguation) C Company, 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment, 1st UK Armoured Division The Persian Gulf War was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of 34 nations led by the United States. ...

On January 16, 1991, Operation Desert Storm began when Allied war planes attacked Iraqi targets. The ground war began almost six weeks later. On February 23, the vehicle-mounted 82^nd Airborne Division paratroopers protected the XVIII Airborne Corps flank as fast-moving armor and mechanized units moved deep inside Iraq. A 2^nd Brigade task force was attached to the 6th French Light Armored Division becoming the far left flank of the Corps. In the short 100-hour ground war, the 82^nd drove deep into Iraq and captured thousands of Iraqi soldiers and tons of equipment, weapons, and ammunition. After the liberation of Kuwait, the 82^nd began its redeployment back to Fort Bragg with most of the Division returning by the end of April. January 16 is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants U.S.-led coalition Iraq Commanders George H. W. Bush, Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell Saddam Hussein, Ali Hassan Al-Majid, Hussein Kamel Strength 660,000 ~545,000 Casualties 345 dead, 1,000 wounded 25,000 - 100,000 dead, 100,000 - 300,000 wounded The 1991 Gulf War (also Persian... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Opération Daguet is the codename for French operations during the 1991 Gulf War (also called the Persian Gulf War or Operation Desert Storm). The conflict was between Iraq and a coalition force of approximately 30 nations led by the United States and mandated by the United Nations in order...

Hurricane Andrew

In August 1992, the division was alerted to deploy a task force to the hurricane-ravaged area of South Florida and provide humanitarian assistance following Hurricane Andrew. For more than 30 days, division troopers provided food, shelter and medical attention to the Florida population. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Operation Restore Democracy: Haïti

On September 16, 1994, the 82d Airborne Division was alerted as part of "Operation Restore Democracy". The entire 82nd Airborne Division was scheduled to make combat parachute jumps into two locations in Haïti, Pegasus Drop Zone and Papia Airport, in order to help oust the military led dictatorship of Raoul Cédras, and then to restore the democratically ejected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. At the same time as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell were negotiating with Cédras to restore Aristide to power, the 82nd's first wave was in the air, with a number of paratroopers waiting at Green Ramp to Air Land into Haïti once the airfields there had been seized. When the Haïtian military dictators verified from sources outside of Pope Air Force Base that the 82nd was on the way to invade, Cédras capitulated and stepped down from power, thus averting the invasion. Haiti is a country situated on the western third of the island of Hispaniola and the smaller islands of La Gonâve, La Tortue (Tortuga), Grande Caye, and Ile a Vache in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba; the Dominican Republic shares Hispaniola with Haiti. ... Raoul Cédras (born 1949) was a Lieutenant General in the Haitian army who ruled Haiti from 1991 to 1994 after a coup which ousted elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... James Earl Jimmy Carter, Jr. ... General Colin Luther Powell, United States Army (Ret. ...

Former Vice President Al Gore would later travel to Fort Bragg to personally thank the paratroopers of the 82nd for their actions, noting in a speech on September 19, 1994, that it was the reputation of the 82nd Airborne that was enough to make Cédras change his mind:

"But it did get a little close there for awhile. As you may know, there were 61 planes in the air headed toward Haïti at the time they finally agreed. And at one point General Biamby came in and told General Cédras that he had just gotten word on his telephone that the airplanes had taken off from Pope Air Force Base, with soldiers from Fort Bragg, and that both disconcerted them and caused them to be suspicious of the intent of the negotiations, but it also created a situation where immediately after that, the key points they had been refusing to agree to were agreed to, a date certain, other matters that I won't go into in detail here."

Operation Restore Hope: protecting Cuban refugees

In December 1994, the 2^nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division was deployed as part of Operation Restore Hope. The battalion was recalled to Fort Bragg for deployment while on Division Ready Force 1 in order to restore order against hundreds of Cuban refugees who had attacked and injured a number of Air Force personnel to protest their detainment at Empire Range along the Panama Canal. The Battalion participated in the safeguarding of the Cuban Refugees and the active patrolling in and around the refugee camps for two months, returning to Fort Bragg in February of 1995. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Operation Joint Endeavor: Bosnia

In December 1995, battalions of the 82nd were alerted to prepare for a possible parachute jump to support elements of the 1st Armored Division which had been ordered to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation Joint Endeavor. Only after engineers of the 1st Armored Division bridged the Sava River on December 31, 1995 without hostilities did the 82nd begin draw down against plans for a possible Airborne operation there. The 1st Armored Division —nicknamed the Old Ironsides— is an armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Wiesbaden, Germany. ... Beginning in December 1995, US and other nations deployed peacekeeping forces to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor. ... Sava also Save (German Save, Hungarian Száva) is a river in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, a right side tributary of Danube at Belgrade. ...

Operation Allied Force: Kosovo

In March 1999 the 2^nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82^nd Airborne Division was deployed to Albania and forward deployed along the Albania/Kosovo border in support of Operation Allied Force, NATO's bombing campaign against Serbian forces in the Former Yugoslav Republic. Immediately after the bombing campaign began in June of 1999, the battalion was ordered to move into Kosovo as the Initial Entry Force, becoming the first ground force sent into the Kosovo region of the Balkans. The battalion quickly established control of the southeast sector of Kosovo, facing constant conflict between the KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) and Serbs, including responding to murders, rapes, and arsons committed in their area of responsibility. In September 1999, 2-505 was replaced by the 3^rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. 3-504 was replaced in January 2001 by the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. An USAF F-15E takes off from Aviano, Italy Operation Allied Force was NATOs military operation against Yugoslavia that lasted from 24 March to 10 June 1999 and is considered a part of Kosovo War. ... Kosovo (Albanian: Kosovë/Kosova, Serbian: Косово и Метохија/Kosovo i Metohija) is one of two autonomous provinces in Serbia (the other being Vojvodina, in northern Serbia). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

2001 to present

Operation Enduring Freedom: Afghanistan

After the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, the 82^nd's 49^th Public Affairs Detachment and several individual 82^nd soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and the Central Command Area of Responsibility to support combat operations. The World Trade Center on fire The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. ...

In June, 2002, elements of the Division Headquarters and 3^rd Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In January, 2003 1st Brigade relieved 3^rd Brigade, and continued the Division's support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During 1st Brigade's tour in Afghanistan, 70 soldiers from B Company, 3^rd Battalion, 504th Infantry in conjunction with A Company, 2^nd Battalion, 75th Ranger, conducted a combat jump into western Afghanistan. This was the first combat jump for the division since the United States invasion of Panama in 1989, but was uncelebrated as it remained classified for over a year.     It has been suggested that United States war in Afghanistan be merged into this article or section. ... Combatants United States Panama Commanders General Carl W. Stiner Manuel Noriega Strength 27,684+ 3,000+ Casualties 23 Dead, 324 Wounded 450 Military, 200-4,000 Civilian U.S. Army Rangers prepare to take La Comandancia in the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City, December 1989. ...

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Iraq

The 2^nd brigade of the Division took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2003. The brigade returned to the US by mid-February, 2004. The 3^rd brigade of the division deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2003, redeploying to the US in Spring, 2004. The 1st brigade deployed to Iraq in January, 2004. The last units of the division left Iraq by the end of April, 2004. During this initial deployment thirty-six solders from the division were killed and about 400 were wounded, out of about 12,000 deployed in total. The early days of the 82^nd Airborne's participation in the occupation were chronicled by embedded journalist Karl Zinsmeister in his 2003 book Boots on the Ground: A Month with the 82^nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq. For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the... An embedded journalist is a news reporter who is attached to a military unit involved in an armed conflict. ... Karl Zinsmeister is a U.S. journalist. ... The book Boots on the Ground: A Month with the 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq was written by journalist Karl Zinsmeister, who was embedded with the storied 82nd Airborne during the early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. ...

Support of 2004 elections in Afghanistan

In late September 2004 The National Command Authority alerted 1/505 PIR for an emergency deployment to Afghanistan in support of the elections scheduled for October.

Two infantry battalions from the 82^nd Airborne deployed to Iraq before the scheduled October 15 referendum on the proposed constitution, and are expected to remain through the December national elections. The battalions involved are the 2^nd Battalion of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and the 3^rd Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... The current constitution of Iraq was approved by an October 15, 2005 ratification vote. ...

First Brigade of the 82nd Airborne deployed to Afghanstan in April of 2005 in support of OEF 6, and returned in April of 2006.

Hurricane Katrina

The 82^nd Airborne was also deployed to support search-and-rescue operations in New Orleans, Louisiana after the city was flooded by Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. About 5,000 paratroopers commanded by Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, operated out of New Orleans International Airport. Royal Navy search and rescue Westland Sea King helicopter Canadian search and rescue EH101 helicopter and Canadian Coast Guard ship Search and rescue (acronym SAR) is an operation mounted by emergency services, often well-trained volunteers, to find someone believed to be in distress, lost, sick or injured either in... Flag Seal Nickname: The Crescent City, The Big Easy, The City That Care Forgot Location Location in the State of Louisiana and the United States Coordinates , Government Country State Parish United States Louisiana Orleans Parish, Louisiana Founded 1718 Mayor Ray Nagin (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 350. ... Lowest pressure 902 mbar (hPa) Damages $81. ... Louis Armstrong - New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY, ICAO: KMSY), formerly Moisant Field, is located in Kenner, Louisiana and serves New Orleans, Louisiana. ...

Division Reorganization

In January 2006, the division began reorganizing from a division based organization to a brigade based one. Activations include a Fourth Brigade Combat Team (508th PIR) and the deactivation of the Division Artllery Brigade (319th AFAR), along with the Division Support Command(DISCOM)

Honors

Campaign Participation Credit

• World War I

1. St. Mihiel
2. Meuse-Argonne
3. Lorraine 1918

• World War II

1. Sicily
2. Naples-Foggia
3. Normandy (with arrowhead)
4. Rhineland (with arrowhead)
5. Ardennes-Alsace
6. Central Europe

• Armed Forces Expeditions

1. Dominican Republic
2. Grenada
3. Panama

• Southwest Asia

1. Defense of Saudi Arabia
2. Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
3. Operation Enduring Freedom

Combatants Allied Powers: British Empire French Empire Italy Russian Empire Kingdom of Serbia United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria German Empire Ottoman Empire Commanders Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Ferdinand Foch Nikolay II Nikolay Yudenich Radomir Putnik Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Reinhard Scheer Franz Josef I Oskar... Combatants Allies: Soviet Union United Kingdom United States and others Axis Powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Franklin Roosevelt Joseph Stalin Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000... Combatants Allied Powers Nazi Germany Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower (Supreme Allied Commander) Bernard Montgomery (land) Bertram Ramsay (sea) Trafford Leigh-Mallory (air) Gerd von Rundstedt (OB WEST) Erwin Rommel (Heeresgruppe B) Strength 326,000 (by June 11) Unknown, probably some 1,000,000 in France by early June, but split... Combatants United States United Kingdom Germany Commanders Dwight D. Eisenhower Gerd von Rundstedt Strength Dec 16 - start of the Battle: about 83,000 men; 242 Sherman tanks, 182 tank destroyers, and 394 pieces of corps and divisional artillery. ... The definition of cultural-geographical regions in use by the United Nations. ...

Decorations

1. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for STE. MERE EGLISE
2. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA
3. French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for STE. MERE EGLISE
4. French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for COTENTIN
5. French Croix de Guerre, World War II, Fourragere
6. Belgian Fourragere 1940
7. Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in the ARDENNES
8. Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in BELGIUM AND GERMANY
9. Military Order of William (Degree of the Knight of the Fourth Class) for NIJMEGEN 1944
10. Netherlands Orange Lanyard

USA and USAF Presidential Unit Citation Please see Presidential Unit Citation for other versions of this award The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action on or after 7 December 1941 against an armed enemy. ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions. ... The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of both Belgium and France which was first created in 1915. ... The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of both Belgium and France which was first created in 1915. ... The Military Order of William is a Dutch military award for valour. ... Knights Cross of the Order of William The Order of William is the highest military order of the Netherlands which was first created in 1815. ...

External links

• 82^nd Airborne Division - official web page
• GlobalSecurity.org: 82nd Airborne Division
• All American: The Story of the 82^nd Airborne Division - World War II unit history booklet, 1945[[sl:82. zračnoprevozna divizija (ZDA