Happy National Airborne Day! On August 16, this day honors any and all of the military’s airborne divisions of the U.S. Armed Forces.
August 16, 1940, marks the date of the first official Army parachute jump at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The successful jump validated the innovative concept of inserting U.S. ground combat forces behind a battle line by parachute.
These sky soldiers represent some of the most prestigious and expertly trained forces in the United States Army.
In the U.S. Army currently, two airborne divisions operate. The 82nd Airborne Division out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina began as an infantry division. During World War I, the 82nd Division activated on 25 August 1917 at Camp Gordon.
In 1918, they earned the nickname All American for the composition of their division.
Since the soldiers came not only from all across the country, but several were immigrants, too. The 82nd Division represented all of America as few other divisions did at the time.
The second and still active airborne division had a short-lived beginning. During World War I, the 101st Airborne Division organized for a short while on 2 November 1918.
However, the war ended shortly after. During World War II, the Screaming Eagles were activated again on 16 August 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. They currently make their home at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.
Both units have served around the world in combat, peacekeeping, and humanitarian missions.
HOW TO OBSERVE
The United States military in all of its branches provides the most professional military men and women of the world.
• Watch documentaries about airborne troops in the United States military.
• Explore the history of airborne units. Read Out of the Blue: U.S. Army Airborne Operations in World War II (1972) by James A. Huston or Airborne: A Combat History of American Forces (2003) by E.M. Flanagan
• Discover even more by visiting military museums and memorials honoring the airborne forces.
Thank a paratrooper and use #NationalAirborneDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
43rd U.S. President George W. Bush proclaimed National Airborne Day on August 14, 2002. On August 3, 2009, the U.S. Senate of the 111th Congress recognized National Airborne Day with Senate Resolution 235.
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