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101st Airborne Division

March 12, 2023

"101st Division" and "101st" redirect here. For other uses, see 101st Division (disambiguation).

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) ("Screaming Eagles")[1] is a light infantry division of the United States Army that specializes in air assault operations.[2] It can plan, coordinate, and execute multiple battalion-size air assault operations to seize terrain. These operations can be conducted by mobile teams covering large distances, fighting behind enemy lines, and working in austere environments with limited or degraded infrastructure.[3][4][5] Its unique battlefield mobility and high level of training have kept it in the vanguard of U.S. land combat forces in recent conflicts:[6] for example, foreign internal defense and counterterrorism operations in Iraq, in Afghanistan in 2015–2016,[7][8][9] and in Syria, as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2018–2021.

101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Insignia of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Active
  • 1918 (National Army)
  • 1921–1942 (Organized Reserve)
  • 1942–1945 (Army of the United States)
  • 1948–1949 (Regular Army)
  • 1950–1956 (Regular Army)
  • 1956–present (Regular Army)
Country United States
Branch United States Army
SizeDivision
Part ofXVIII Airborne Corps
HeadquartersFort Campbell, Kentucky
Nickname(s)"Screaming Eagles" (special designation)
Motto(s)Rendezvous With Destiny
Beret color  Black
Mascot(s)Bald eagle (Old Abe)
EngagementsWorld War II

Vietnam War
Persian Gulf War
Global War on Terrorism

WebsiteOfficial Website
Commanders
CommanderMG Joseph P. McGee
Command Sergeant MajorCSM Veronica Knapp
Notable
commanders		Complete list of commanders
Insignia
Combat service identification badge
Subdued shoulder sleeve insignia worn on OCP-ACU
Distinctive unit insignia of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion
Division Flag

Established in 1918, the 101st Division was first constituted as an airborne unit in 1942.[10] During World War II, it gained renown for its role in Operation Overlord (the D-Day landings and airborne landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France); Operation Market Garden; the liberation of the Netherlands; and its action during the Battle of the Bulge around the city of Bastogne, Belgium. During the Vietnam War, the 101st Airborne Division fought in several major campaigns and battles, including the Battle of Hamburger Hill in May 1969. In mid-1968, the division was reorganized and redesignated as an airmobile division; in 1974, as an air assault division. The titles reflect the division's shift from airplanes to helicopters as the primary method of delivering troops into combat.

At the height of the War on Terror, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) had over 200 aircraft.[citation needed] This shrank to just over 100 aircraft with the inactivation of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade in 2015,[3] making it no different in configuration from the Army's other light infantry divisions. In 2019, media reports suggested the Army was working to restore the 101st's aviation capabilities so it can return to lifting an entire brigade in one air assault operation.[3]

The 101st's headquarters is at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Many current members of the 101st are graduates of the U.S. Army Air Assault School, which is co-located with the division. The school is known as one of the Army's most difficult courses; only about half of those who begin it graduate.[11]

The Screaming Eagles was referred to as "the tip of the spear" by former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates,[12] and the most potent and tactically mobile of the U.S. Army's divisions by General Edward C. Meyer, then Chief of Staff of the Army.[13]

History

Main article: History of the 101st Airborne Division

World War I and the interwar period

The 101st Division headquarters was organized 2 November 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, having been constituted on 23 July in the National Army. World War I ended 9 days later, and the division was demobilized on 11 December 1918.[14]

In 1921, the division headquarters was reconstituted in the Organized Reserves, and organized on 10 September 1921, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[14] It was at this time that the "Screaming Eagle" mascot became associated with the division, as a successor to the traditions of the Wisconsin volunteer regiments of the American Civil War.[15]

World War II to the present day

 
General Dwight D. Eisenhower speaking with 1st Lieutenant Wallace C. Strobel and men of Company E, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment on 5 June. The placard around Strobel's neck indicates he is the jumpmaster for chalk No. 23 of the 438th TCG.

On 30 July 1942, the Army Ground Forces ordered the activation of two airborne divisions by 15 August 1942. The 82nd Division, an Organized Reserve division ordered into active military service in March 1942, was ordered to provide cadre to the 101st Division, the other division selected for the project, for all elements except parachute infantry. As part of the reorganization of the 101st Division as an airborne division, the unit was disbanded in the Organized Reserve on 15 August 1942 and reconstituted and reactivated in the Army of the United States.[14] On 19 August 1942, its first commander, Major General William C. Lee, read out General Order Number 5:[17]

The 101st Airborne Division, which was activated on 16 August 1942, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny.

Due to the nature of our armament, and the tactics in which we shall perfect ourselves, we shall be called upon to carry out operations of far-reaching military importance and we shall habitually go into action when the need is immediate and extreme. Let me call your attention to the fact that our badge is the great American eagle. This is a fitting emblem for a division that will crush its enemies by falling upon them like a thunderbolt from the skies.

The history we shall make, the record of high achievement we hope to write in the annals of the American Army and the American people, depends wholly and completely on the men of this division. Each individual, each officer and each enlisted man, must therefore regard himself as a necessary part of a complex and powerful instrument for the overcoming of the enemies of the nation. Each, in his own job, must realize that he is not only a means, but an indispensable means for obtaining the goal of victory. It is, therefore, not too much to say that the future itself, in whose molding we expect to have our share, is in the hands of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division.[18]

D-Day

Main article: Mission Albany
 
Private Ware applies last second war paint to Private Plaudo in England June 1944.

The pathfinders of the 101st Airborne Division led the way on D-Day in the night drop before the invasion. They left from RAF North Witham, having trained there with the 82nd Airborne Division. These night drops caused a lot of trouble for the gliders. Many crashed and equipment and personnel were lost.[19]

The 101st Airborne Division's objectives were to secure the four causeway exits behind Utah Beach between Saint-Martin-de-Varreville and Pouppeville to ensure the exit route for the 4th Infantry Division from the beach later that morning.[20] The other objectives included destroying a German coastal artillery battery at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville, capturing buildings nearby at Mézières believed used as barracks and a command post for the artillery battery, capturing the Douve River lock at La Barquette (opposite Carentan), capturing two footbridges spanning the Douve at La Porte opposite Brévands, destroying the highway bridges over the Douve at Saint-Côme-du-Mont, and securing the Douve River valley. Their secondary mission was to protect the southern flank of VII Corps. They destroyed two bridges along the Carentan highway and a railroad bridge just west of it. They gained control of La Barquette locks, and established a bridgehead over Douve River which was located north-east of Carentan.[20]

In the process, units also disrupted German communications, established roadblocks to hamper the movement of German reinforcements, established a defensive line between the beachhead and Valognes, cleared the area of the drop zones to the unit boundary at Les Forges, and linked up with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Drop Zone Able

The paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division jumped between 0048 and 0140 British Double Summer Time of 6 June. The first wave, inbound to Drop Zone A (the northernmost), was not surprised by the cloud bank and maintained formation, but navigating errors and a lack of Eureka signal caused the first error. Although the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment was dropped as a compact unit, it jumped on the wrong drop zone, while its commander, Lt. Col. Steve A. Chappuis, came down virtually alone on the correct drop zone. Chappuis and his stick captured the coastal battery soon after assembling, and found that it had already been dismantled after an air raid.

Most of the remainder of the 502nd (70 of 80 sticks) dropped in a disorganized pattern around the impromptu drop zone set up by the pathfinders near the beach. The battalion commanders of the 1st and 3rd Battalions, Lt. Col. Patrick J. Cassidy (1/502) and Lt. Col. Robert G. Cole (3/502), took charge of small groups and accomplished all of their D-Day missions. Cassidy's group took Saint Martin-de-Varreville by 0630, sent a patrol under S/Sgt. Harrison C. Summers to seize the "XYZ" objective, a barracks at Mésières, and set up a thin line of defense from Foucarville to Beuzeville. Cole's group moved during the night from near Sainte-Mère-Église to the Varreville battery, then continued on and captured Exit 3 at 0730. They held the position during the morning until relieved by troops moving inland from Utah Beach. Both commanders found Exit 4 covered by German artillery fire and Cassidy recommended to the 4th Infantry Division that it not use the exit.

The division's parachute artillery did not fare nearly as well. Its drop was one of the worst of the operation, losing all but one howitzer and dropping all but two of 54 loads four to twenty miles (32 km) to the north, where most ultimately became casualties.

Drop Zone Charlie

The second wave, assigned to drop the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) on Drop Zone C 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Sainte Marie-du-Mont, was badly dispersed by the clouds, then subjected to intense antiaircraft fire for 10 miles (16 km). Three of the 81 C-47s were lost before or during the jump. One, piloted by 1st Lt. Marvin F. Muir of the 439th Troop Carrier Group, caught fire. Lt. Muir held the aircraft steady while the stick jumped, then died when the plane crashed immediately afterward, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Despite the opposition, the 506th's 1st Battalion[notes 1] (the original division reserve) was dropped accurately on DZ C, landing two-thirds of its sticks and regimental commander Col. Robert F. Sink on or within a mile of the drop zone.

Most of the 2nd Battalion had jumped too far west, near Sainte-Mère-Église. They eventually assembled near Foucarville at the northern edge of the 101st Airborne's objective area. It fought its way to the hamlet of le Chemin near the Houdienville causeway by mid-afternoon, but found that the 4th Division had already seized the exit hours before. The 3rd Battalion of the 501st PIR, led by Lt. Col. Julian J. Ewell (3/501), also assigned to jump onto DZ C, was more scattered, but took over the mission of securing the exits. An ad hoc company-sized team that included division commander Maj. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor reached the Pouppeville exit at 0600.[21] After a six-hour house-clearing battle with elements of the German 1058th Grenadier Regiment, the group secured the exit shortly before 4th Division troops arrived to link up.

Drop Zone Dog

The third wave also encountered severe flak, losing six aircraft. The troop carriers still made an accurate drop, placing 94 of 132 sticks on or close to the drop zone, but part of the DZ was covered by pre-registered German machine gun and mortar fire that inflicted heavy casualties before many troops could get out of their chutes. Among the killed were two of the three battalion commanders and the executive officer of the 3/506th.[notes 2]

The surviving battalion commander, Lt. Col. Robert A. Ballard, gathered 250 troopers and advanced toward Saint Côme-du-Mont to complete his mission of destroying the highway bridges over the Douve. Less than half a mile from his objective at les Droueries he was stopped by elements of battalion III/1058 Grenadier-Rgt. Another group of 50 men, assembled by the regimental S-3, Major Richard J. Allen, attacked the same area from the east at Basse-Addeville but was also pinned down.

The commander of the 501st PIR, Col. Howard R. Johnson, collected 150 troops and captured the main objective, la Barquette lock, by 0400. After establishing defensive positions, Col. Johnson went back to the DZ and assembled another 100 men, including Allen's group, to reinforce the bridgehead. Despite naval gunfire support from the cruiser Quincy, Ballard's battalion was unable to take Saint Côme-du-Mont or join Col. Johnson.[notes 3]

The S-3 officer of the 3rd Battalion 506th PIR, Capt. Charles G. Shettle, put together a platoon and achieved another objective by seizing two foot bridges near la Porte at 0430 and crossed to the east bank. When their ammunition drew low after knocking out several machine gun emplacements, the small force withdrew to the west bank. It doubled in size overnight as stragglers came in and repulsed a German probe across the bridges.

Other actions

Two other noteworthy actions took place near Sainte Marie-du-Mont by units of the 506th PIR, both of which involved the seizure and destruction of batteries of 105mm guns of the German III Battalion-191st Artillery Regiment. During the morning, a small patrol of troopers from Company E 506th PIR under (then) 1st Lt. Richard D. Winters overwhelmed a force 3–4 times its size and destroyed four guns at a farm called Brécourt Manor, for which Winters was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the assault troops given Silver and Bronze Stars. This was later documented in the book Band of Brothers and the acclaimed miniseries of the same name.

 
101st Airborne troops posing with a captured Nazi vehicle air identification sign two days after landing at Normandy

Around noon, while reconnoitering the area by jeep, Col. Sink received word that a second battery of four guns had been discovered at Holdy, a manor between his CP and Sainte Marie-du-Mont, and the defenders had a force of some 70 paratroopers pinned down. Capt. Lloyd E. Patch (Headquarters Company 1st/506th) and Capt. Knut H. Raudstein (Company C 506th PIR)[notes 4] led an additional 70 troops to Holdy and enveloped the position. The combined force then continued on to seize Sainte Marie-du-Mont. A platoon of the 502nd PIR, left to hold the battery, destroyed three of the four guns before Col. Sink could send four jeeps to save them for the 101st's use.

At the end of D-Day, Gen. Taylor and his assistant division commander (ADC) Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe returned from their foray at Pouppeville. Taylor had control of approximately 2,500 of his 6,600 men, most of whom were in the vicinity of the 506th CP at Culoville, with the thin defense line west of Saint Germain-du-Varreville, or the division reserve at Blosville. Two glider airlifts had brought in scant reinforcements and had resulted in the death of his other ADC, Brig. Gen. Don F. Pratt, his neck broken on impact. The 327th Glider Infantry had come across Utah Beach but only its third battalion (1st Battalion 401st GIR) had reported in.

The 101st Airborne Division had accomplished its most important mission of securing the beach exits, but had a tenuous hold on positions near the Douve River, over which the Germans could still move armored units. The three groups clustered there had tenuous contact with each other but none with the rest of the division. A shortage of radio equipment caused by losses during the drops exacerbated his control problems. Taylor made destroying the Douve bridges the division's top priority and delegated the task to Col. Sink, who issued orders for the 1st Battalion 401st Glider Infantry to lead three battalions south the next morning.

As the regular troops moved in from the coast and strengthened the paratrooper positions, many were relieved and sent to the rear to organize for the next big paratroop operation.

Operation Market Garden

 
Men of the 101st Airborne Division inspect a broken glider, September 1944.

On 17 September 1944, the 101st Airborne Division became part of XVIII Airborne Corps, under Major General Matthew Ridgway, part of the First Allied Airborne Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Lewis H. Brereton. The division took part in Operation Market Garden (17–25 September 1944), an unsuccessful Allied military operation under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, commander of the Anglo-Canadian 21st Army Group, to capture Dutch bridges over the Rhine, it was fought in the Netherlands, and is the largest airborne operation of any war.[22]

The plan, as outlined by Field Marshal Montgomery, required the seizure by airborne forces of several bridges on the Highway 69 across the Maas (Meuse River) and two arms of the Rhine (the Waal and the Lower Rhine), as well as several smaller canals and tributaries. Crossing these bridges would allow British armoured units to outflank the Siegfried Line, advance into northern Germany, and encircle the Ruhr, Germany's industrial heartland, thus ending the war. This meant the large-scale use of Allied airborne forces, including both the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, along with the British 1st Airborne Division.

The operation was initially successful. Several bridges between Eindhoven and Nijmegen were captured by the 82nd and 101st. The 101st met little resistance and captured most of their initial objectives by the end of 17 September. However, the demolition of the division's primary objective, a bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal at Son, delayed the capture of the main road bridge over the Maas until 20 September. Faced with the loss of the bridge at Son, the 101st unsuccessfully attempted to capture a similar bridge a few kilometers away at Best but found the approach blocked. Other units continued moving to the south and eventually reached the northern end of Eindhoven.

At 06:00 hours on 18 September, the Irish Guards of the British Guards Armoured Division resumed the advance while facing determined resistance from German infantry and tanks.[23]: p71  Around noon the 101st Airborne were met by the lead reconnaissance units from British XXX Corps. At 16:00 radio contact alerted the main force that the Son bridge had been destroyed and requested that a replacement Bailey bridge be brought forward. By nightfall the Guards Armoured Division had established itself in the Eindhoven area[24] however transport columns were jammed in the packed streets of the town and were subjected to German aerial bombardment during the night. XXX Corps engineers, supported by German prisoners of war, constructed a class 40 Bailey bridge within 10 hours across the Wilhelmina Canal.[23]: p72  The longest sector of the highway secured by the 101st Airborne Division later became known as "Hell's Highway".

The 101st then came up to the Nijmegen salient and relieved the British 43rd Wessex Division to defend against the German counter offensive in early October.

Battle of the Bulge

Main article: Siege of Bastogne
 
101st Airborne Division troops watch as C-47s drop supplies over Bastogne.

The Ardennes Offensive (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945) was a major German offensive launched towards the end of World War II through the forested Ardennes Mountains region of Belgium. Germany's planned goal for these operations was to split the British and American Allied line in half, capturing Antwerp, Belgium in the process, and then proceeding to encircle and destroy the entire British 21st Army Group and all 12th U.S. Army Group units north of the German advance, forcing the Western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis Powers' favor as a result.[25] In order to reach Antwerp before the Allies could regroup and bring their superior air power to bear, German mechanized forces had to seize all the major highways through eastern Belgium. Because all seven of the main roads in the Ardennes converged on the small town of Bastogne, control of its crossroads was vital to the success or failure of the German attack.

Despite several notable signs in the weeks preceding the attack, the Ardennes Offensive achieved virtually complete surprise. By the end of the second day of battle, it became apparent that the 28th Infantry Division was near collapse. Maj. Gen. Troy H. Middleton, commander of VIII Corps, ordered part of his armored reserve, Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division to Bastogne.[notes 5] Meanwhile, Gen. Eisenhower ordered forward the SHAEF reserve, composed of the 82nd and 101st Airborne, which were stationed at Reims.

Both divisions were alerted on the evening of 17 December, and not having organic transport, began arranging trucks for movement forward, the weather conditions being unfit for a parachute drop. The 82nd, longer in reserve and thus better re-equipped, moved out first. The 101st left Camp Mourmelon on the afternoon of 18 December, with the order of march the division artillery, division trains, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 506th PIR, 502nd PIR, and 327th Glider Infantry. Much of the convoy was conducted at night in drizzle and sleet, using headlights despite threat of air attack to speed the movement, and at one point the combined column stretched from Bouillon, Belgium, back to Reims.

The 101st Airborne was routed to Bastogne, located 107 miles (172 km) away on a 1,463 feet (446 m) high plateau, while the 82nd Airborne took up positions further north to block the critical advance of Kampfgruppe Peiper toward Werbomont, Belgium. The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion, in reserve sixty miles to the north, was ordered to Bastogne to provide anti-tank support to the armorless 101st Airborne on the 18th and arrived late the next evening. The first elements of the 501st PIR entered the division assembly area four miles west of Bastogne shortly after midnight of 19 December, and by 0900 the entire division had arrived.

By 21 December, the German forces had surrounded Bastogne, which was defended by both the 101st Airborne and Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division. Conditions inside the perimeter were tough—most of the medical supplies and medical personnel had been captured on 19 December.[26] CCB of the 10th Armored Division, severely weakened by losses in delaying the German advance, formed a mobile "fire brigade" of 40 light and medium tanks (including survivors of CCR of the 9th Armored Division, which had been destroyed while delaying the Germans, and eight replacement tanks found unassigned in Bastogne). Three artillery battalions, including the all-black 969th Field Artillery Battalion, were commandeered by the 101st and formed a temporary artillery group. Each had 12 155 mm howitzers, providing the division with heavy firepower in all directions restricted only by its limited ammunition supply (By 22 December artillery ammunition was restricted to 10 rounds per gun per day.) The weather cleared the next day, however, and supplies (primarily ammunition) were dropped over four of the next five days.

 
A letter from General McAuliffe on Christmas Day to the 101st Airborne troops defending Bastogne

Despite several determined German attacks, the perimeter held. The German commander, Generalleutnant Heinrich Freiherr von Lüttwitz,[27] requested Bastogne's surrender.[28] When General Anthony McAuliffe, now acting commander of the 101st, was told, he commented : "Nuts!" After turning to other pressing issues, his staff reminded him that there should be a reply to the German demand. One officer (Harry W. O. Kinnard, then a lieutenant colonel) recommended that McAuliffe's reply should be "tough to beat". Thus, McAuliffe wrote on the paper delivered to the Germans: "NUTS!" That reply had to be explained, both to the Germans and to non-American Allies.[notes 6]

Both of the two panzer divisions of the XLVII Panzer Corps moved forward from Bastogne after 21 December, leaving only one panzergrenadier regiment of the Panzer-Lehr-Division to assist the 26th Volksgrenadier Division in attempting to capture the crossroads. The 26th VG received additional armor and panzergrenadier reinforcements on Christmas Eve to prepare for its final assault, to take place on Christmas Day. Because it lacked sufficient armor and troops and the 26th VG Division was near exhaustion, the XLVII Panzer Corps concentrated the assault on several individual locations on the west side of perimeter in sequence rather than launching one simultaneous attack on all sides. The assault, despite initial success by German tanks in penetrating the American line, was defeated and virtually all of the German tanks involved were destroyed. The next day, 26 December, the spearhead of General George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army relief force, the 4th Armored Division, broke through the German lines and opened a corridor to Bastogne, ending the siege. The division got the nickname "The Battered Bastards of the Bastion of Bastogne".

With the encirclement broken, the men of the 101st expected to be relieved, but were given orders to resume the offensive. The 506th attacked north and recaptured Recogne on 9 January 1945, the Bois des Corbeaux (Corbeaux Wood), to the right of Easy Company, on 10 January, and Foy on 13 January. The 327th attacked towards Bourcy, northeast of Bastogne, on 13 January and encountered stubborn resistance. The 101st Airborne Division faced the elite of the German military which included such units as 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, Führerbegleitbrigade, 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, and the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen.[29] The 506th retook Noville on 15 January and Rachamps the next day. The 502nd reinforced the 327th, and the two regiments captured Bourcy on 17 January, pushing the Germans back to their point of advance on the day the division had arrived in Bastogne. The next day the 101st Airborne Division was relieved.[30]

 
A Panzer IV of Kampfgruppe Peiper of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. The 101st Airborne Division fought this elite Waffen SS division when the 101st attacked towards Bourcy, northeast of Bastogne, on 13 January 1945.

Liberation of Kaufering

In April 1945, the 101st moved into the Rhineland and eventually reached the Bavarian Alps. As the 101st drove into Southern Germany they liberated Kaufering IV, one of the camps in the Kaufering complex. Kaufering IV had been designated as the sick camp where prisoners who could no longer work were sent. During the typhus epidemic of 1945 in Germany, Kaufering prisoners with typhus were sent there to die. Kaufering IV was located near the town of Hurlach, which the 12th Armored Division occupied on 27 April, with the 101st arriving the next day. The soldiers found over 500 dead inmates and the Army ordered the local townspeople to bury the dead.[31]

Composition

 
101st Airborne troops retrieving air dropped supplies during the siege of Bastogne.

The division was composed of the following units:[32]

Attached paratrooper units:

Casualties

  • Total battle casualties: 9,328[33]
  • Killed in action: 1,766[33]
  • Wounded in action: 6,388[33]
  • Missing in action: 207[33]
  • Prisoner of war: 967[33]

Awards

During World War II the division and its members were awarded the following awards:[34]

Post-war

On 1 August 1945, the 501st PIR was moved to France, while the rest of the division was based around Zell am See and Kaprun in the Austrian Alps. Some units within the division began training for redeployment to the Pacific Theatre of War, but the war ended before they were needed. The division was inactivated 30 November 1945. For their efforts during World War II, the 101st Airborne Division was awarded four campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations.

Helmet insignia

The 101st was distinguished partly by its tactical helmet insignia. Card suits (diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs) on each side of the helmet denoted the regiment to which a soldier belonged. The only exception was the 187th which was added to the division later. Divisional headquarters and support units were denoted by use of a square and divisional artillery by a circle. Tick marks at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock indicated to which battalion the individual belonged, while the tick mark at 12 o'clock indicated a headquarters or headquarters company assignment.[35]

  • These insignia were first seen in World War II, and can still be seen on 101st Division soldiers today.
    • 327th: Clubs (♣) (Currently worn by the 1st Brigade Combat Team; depicted in 1949 film Battleground)
    • 501st: Diamonds (♦) (Currently 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment is part of the 2nd Brigade, 11th Airborne Division in Alaska.) (The diamond is currently used by both 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade)
    • 502nd: Hearts (♥) (Currently worn by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team)
    • 506th: Spades (♠) (Formerly worn by 4th Brigade Combat Team before their deactivation in 2014; depicted in the mini-series Band of Brothers; currently worn by 1st and 2nd Battalion of the 506th Infantry Regiment)
    • 187th: Torii( ) (Currently worn by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team; not during World War II, when the 187th Infantry Regiment was part of the 11th Airborne Division.)

Postwar training and pentomic reactivation

The 101st Airborne was allotted to the Regular Army in June 1948[14] and reactivated as a training unit at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky the following July, only to be deactivated the next year.[14] It was reactivated in 1950 following the outbreak of the Korean War, again to serve as a Training Center at Camp Breckenridge until inactivated in December 1953. During this time it included the 53rd Airborne Infantry Regiment.

It was reactivated again in May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina[14] and in March 1956, the 101st was transferred, less personnel and equipment, to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to be reorganized as a combat division. Using the personnel and equipment of the 187th ARCT and the 508th ARCT,[36] the 101st was reactivated as the first "pentomic" division with five battle groups in place of its World War II structure that included regiments and battalions. The reorganization was in place by late April 1957 and the division's battle groups were:

  • 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry
  • 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry
  • 1st Airborne Battle Group, 501st Infantry
  • 1st Airborne Battle Group, 502nd Infantry
  • 1st Airborne Battle Group, 506th Infantry

Division artillery consisted of the following units:

  • Battery D, 319th Artillery
  • Battery E, 319th Artillery
  • Battery A, 321st Artillery
  • Battery B, 321st Artillery
  • Battery C, 321st Artillery
  • Battery A, 377th Artillery

Other supporting units were also assigned.

Civil rights

The "Little Rock Nine" were a group of African-American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in September 1957, as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in the historic Brown v. Board of Education case. Elements of the division's 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry were ordered to Little Rock by President Eisenhower to escort the students into the formerly segregated school during the crisis. The division was under the command of Major General Edwin Walker, who was committed to protecting the black students.[37] The troops were deployed from September until Thanksgiving 1957, when Task Force 153rd Infantry, (federalized Arkansas Army National Guard) which had also been on duty at the school since 24 September, assumed the responsibility.

STRAC

In 1958 the US Army formed the Strategic Army Corps consisting of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions and the 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions with a mission of rapid deployment on short notice.

Vietnam War

Main article: Vietnam War
 
Men of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, fire from old Viet Cong trenches.

On 29 July 1965, the 1st Brigade deployed to II Corps, South Vietnam with the following units:

From 1965 to 1967, the 1st Brigade operated independently as sort of a fire brigade and earned the reputation as being called the "Nomads of Vietnam." They fought in every area of South Vietnam from the Demilitarized Zone up north all the way down the Central Highlands.[39] In May 1967 the 1st Brigade operated as part of Task Force Oregon.[38]

Within the United States, the 101st, along with the 82nd Airborne Division, was sent in to quell the 1967 Detroit riot.

The rest of the 101st was deployed to Vietnam in November 1967 and the 1st Brigade rejoined its parent division.[38] The 101st was deployed in the northern I Corps region, operating against the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) infiltration routes through Laos and the A Shau Valley for most of the war. Notable among these were the Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969 and Firebase Ripcord in 1970.

The 101st Airborne were called the "Chicken Men" by the North Vietnamese because of their insignia. Enemy commanders are said[by whom?] to have warned their men to avoid the Chicken Men at all costs because they were sure to lose any engagement with them.[40][unreliable source?]

Tiger Force

Tiger Force was the nickname of a long-range reconnaissance patrol unit[41] of the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade (Separate), 101st Airborne Division, which fought in the Vietnam War.[42] The platoon-sized unit, approximately 45 paratroopers, was founded by Colonel David Hackworth in November 1965 to "outguerrilla the guerrillas".[43] Tiger Force (Recon) 1/327th was a highly decorated small unit in Vietnam, and paid for its reputation with heavy casualties.[44] In October 1968, Tiger Force's parent battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by President Lyndon B. Johnson, which included a mention of Tiger Force's service at Đắk Tô in June 1966.[45]

The unit was accused of committing multiple war crimes.[46] Investigators concluded that many of the war crimes indeed took place.[47] Despite this, the Army decided not to pursue any prosecutions.[48] By the end of the war, Tiger Force had killed approximately 1,000 enemy soldiers.[49]

Lam Son 719

In 1971, elements of the division supported Operation Lam Son 719, the South Vietnamese invasion of southern Laos, but only aviation units actually entered Laos.

The division began withdrawing from South Vietnam on 15 May 1971 with the departure of the 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry.[50]: F-1–8  Most major units of the Division had redeployed by January 1972.[50]: F-1–22 

In the seven years that all or part of the division served in Vietnam it suffered 4,011 killed and 18,259 wounded in action.[51] The division, during this time, participated in 12 separate campaigns and 17 of the division's Medal of Honor recipients are from this period of time – all this giving the 101st Airborne Division a combat record unmatched by any other division.[39]

Post-Vietnam

 
An officer with the 101st Airborne Division wearing dark-blue beret with 326th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash and Airmobile Badge, 1977

In 1968, the 101st took on the structure and equipment of an airmobile division. Following its return from Vietnam, the division was rebuilt with one brigade (3d) and supporting elements on jump status, using the assets of what had been the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The remaining two brigades and supporting units were organized as airmobile. With the exception of certain specialized units, such as the pathfinders and parachute riggers, in early 1974 the Army terminated jump status for the division. Concurrently the 101st introduced the Airmobile Badge (renamed later that year as the Air Assault Badge), the design of which was based on the Glider Badge of World War II. Initially the badge was only authorized for wear while assigned to the division, but in 1978 the Army authorized it for service-wide wear. Soldiers continued to wear the garrison cap with glider patch, bloused boots, and the cloth wing oval behind their wings, as had division paratroopers before them. A blue beret was authorized for the division in March or April 1974 and worn until revoked at the end of 1979.[52][53]

The division also was authorized to wear a full color (white eagle) shoulder patch insignia instead of the subdued green eagle shoulder patch that was worn as a combat patch by soldiers who fought with the 101st in Vietnam. While serving with the 101st, it was also acceptable to wear a non-subdued patch as a combat patch, a distinction shared with the 1st and 5th Infantry divisions.[citation needed]

 
A member of the 101st Airborne Division, armed with an M60 machine gun, participates in a field exercise in 1972. M16A1 rifle in background with each soldier wearing an M1 helmet.

In the late 1970s, the division maintained one battalion on a rotating basis as the division ready force (DRF). The force was in place to respond to alerts for action anywhere in the world. After alert notification, troopers of the "hot" platoon/company, would be airborne, "wheels-up" within 30 minutes as the first responding unit. All other companies of the battalion would follow within one hour. Within 24 hours there would be one brigade deployed to the affected area, with the remainder of the division deploying as needed.

In September 1980, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 2nd Brigade, took part in Operation Bright Star '80, an exercise deployment to Egypt. In 1984, the command group formed a full-time team, the "Screaming Eagles", Command Parachute Demonstration Team.[54] However the team traces its history to the late 1950s, during the infancy of precision free fall.

On 12 December 1985, a civilian aircraft, Arrow Air Flight 1285, chartered to transport some of the division from peacekeeping duty with the Multinational Force and Observers on the Sinai Peninsula to Kentucky, crashed just a short distance from Gander International Airport, Gander, Newfoundland. All eight air crew members and 248 US servicemen died, most were from the 3d Battalion, 502d Infantry. Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board investigators were unable to determine the exact sequence of events which led to the accident, but determined that the probable cause of the crash was the aircraft's unexpectedly high drag and reduced lift condition, most likely due to ice contamination on the wings' leading edges and upper surfaces, as well as underestimated onboard weight.[55] A minority report stated that the accident could have been caused by an onboard explosion of unknown origin prior to impact.[56][57] At the time it was 17th most disastrous aviation accident in terms of fatalities. President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy traveled to Fort Campbell to comfort grieving family members.

On 8 March 1988, two U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopters assigned to the 101st Aviation Brigade collided while on a night training mission at Fort Campbell. All 17 soldiers aboard were killed.[58] The dead included four helicopter crewmen and 13 members of the 502d Infantry Regiment. The Army's accident investigation attributed the crash to pilot error, aircraft design, and the limited field of view afforded pilots using night vision goggles (NVGs).[59] Numerous improvements have been made in NVG technology since the accident occurred.[60]

Air assault operations

In 1974, the 101st Airborne was reorganized as an air assault division. The foundation of modern-day air assault operations was laid by the World War Two era German Fallschirmjäger, Brandenburgers, and the 22nd Air Landing Division glider borne paras.[61][62] In 1941 the U.S. Army quickly adopted this concept of offensive operations initially utilizing wooden gliders before the development of helicopters.[63] Air Assault operations consist of highly mobile teams covering extensive distances and engaging enemy forces behind enemy lines and often by surprise, as they are usually masked by darkness.[6]: 63 

The 101st Airborne had earned a place in the U.S. Army's AirLand Battle doctrine.[6]: 63  This doctrine is based on belief that initiative, depth, agility, and synchronization successfully complete a mission.[6]: 63  First all soldiers are encouraged to take the initiative to seize and exploit opportunities to gain advantages over the enemy. Second, commanders are urged to utilize the entire depth of the battlefield and strike at rear targets that support frontline enemy troops. Third, agility requires commanders to strike the enemy quickly where most vulnerable and to respond to the enemy's strengths. Fourth, synchronization calls for the commander to maximize available combined arms firepower for critical targets to achieve the greatest effect.[6]: 63 

Organization 1989

 
101st Airborne Division 1989 (click to enlarge)

At the end of the Cold War the division was organized as follows:

Gulf War

Main article: Gulf War
 
Ground operations during Operation Desert Storm, with the 101st Airborne Division positioned at the left flank

On 17 January 1991, the 101st Aviation Regiment fired the first shots of the war when eight AH-64 helicopters successfully destroyed two Iraqi early warning radar sites.[6]: 85  In February 1991, the 101st once again had its "Rendezvous with Destiny" in Iraq during the combat air assault into enemy territory. The 101st Airborne Division struck 155 miles (249 km) behind enemy lines.[6]: 85  It was the deepest air assault operation in history.[99]

Approximately 400 helicopters transported 2,000 soldiers into Iraq, where they destroyed Iraqi columns trying to flee westward and prevented the escape of Iraqi forces.[100] The Screaming Eagles would travel an additional 50–60 miles (80–97 km) into Iraq.[6]: 85  By nightfall, the 101st had cut off Highway 8, which was a vital supply line running between Basra and the Iraqi forces.[6]: 85  The 101st lost 16 soldiers in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of the enemy.

Humanitarian aid

The division has supported humanitarian relief efforts in Rwanda and Somalia, then later supplied peacekeepers to Haiti and Bosnia.

Kosovo

From February through August 2000, 3rd Brigade 1/187 deployed to Kosovo for peacekeeping operations as part of Task Force Falcon in support of Operation Joint Guardian.

In August 2000, the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, as well as some elements from the 502nd Infantry Regiment, helped secure the peace in Kosovo and support the October elections for the formation of the new Kosovo government. They were replaced in February 2001 with 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment along with 2nd Brigade HQ and elements of 3rd Battalion.

Montana forest fires

In September and October 2000, the 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, helped fight fires on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana. Designated Task Force Battle Force and commanded by Lt. Col. Jon S. Lehr, the battalion fought fires throughout the surrounding areas of their Valley Complex near Darby, Montana.[101]

Operation Enduring Freedom

Main articles: War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and Operation Enduring Freedom

The 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division brigade performed counterinsurgency operations within Afghanistan, consisting mostly of raids, ambushes and patrolling. The 101st also performed combat air assaults throughout the operation.[99]

The 2nd Brigade, "Strike", built around the 502d Infantry, was largely deployed to Kosovo on peacekeeping operations, with some elements of 3rd Battalion, 502nd, deploying after 9/11 as a security element in the U.S. CENTCOM AOR with the Fort Campbell-based 5th Special Forces Group. They had been positioned in Jordan providing security for 5th SF Group's exercise prior to 9/11.

The division quickly deployed its 3rd Brigade, the 187th Infantry's Rakkasans, as the first conventional unit to fight as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.[102]

After an intense period of combat in rugged Shoh-I-Khot Mountains of eastern Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda with elements of the 10th Mountain Division, the Rakkasans redeployed to Fort Campbell only to find the 101st awaiting another deployment order. In 2008, the 101st 4th BCT Red and White "Currahee" including the 1st and the 2nd Battalions, 506th Infantry were deployed to Afghanistan. Elements of 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment participated in joint operations with U.S. Army Special Forces particularly in the Northern province of Kapisa in the outpost Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kutchsbach. Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment performed joint operations with 5th Special Forces Group and 20th Special Forces Group in 2011. The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Afghanistan as Task Force Destiny in early 2008 to Bagram Air Base. 159th Combat Aviation Brigade deployed as Task Force Thunder for 12 months in early 2009, and again in early 2011.[103]

In March 2010, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed again to Afghanistan as Task Force Destiny to Kandahar Airfield to be the aviation asset in southern Afghanistan.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Main article: Iraq War
 
The 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment alongside Task Force 121 at Uday and Qusay Hussein's hideout

In 2003, Major General David H. Petraeus ("Eagle 6") led the Screaming Eagles to war during the 2003 invasion of Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). General Petraeus led the division into Iraq saying, "Guidons, Guidons. This is Eagle 6. The 101st Airborne Division's next Rendezvous with Destiny is North to Baghdad. Op-Ord Desert Eagle 2 is now in effect. Godspeed. Air Assault. Out."[104]

The division was in V Corps, providing support to the 3rd Infantry Division by clearing Iraqi strongpoints which that division had bypassed. 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry (3rd Brigade) was attached to 3rd Infantry Division and was the main effort in clearing Saddam International Airport. The division then served as part of the occupation forces of Iraq, using the city of Mosul as their primary base of operations. 1st and 2d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (1st Brigade) oversaw the remote airfield Qayarrah West 30 miles (48 km) south of Mosul. The 502d Infantry Regiment (2d Brigade) and 3d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment were responsible for Mosul itself while the 187th Infantry Regiment (3d Brigade) controlled Tal Afar just west of Mosul. The 101st Airborne also participated in the Battle of Karbala. The city had been bypassed during the advance on Baghdad, leaving American units to clear it in two days of street fighting against Iraqi irregular forces. The 101st Airborne was supported by the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division.[105] The 3d Battalion, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division was awarded a Valorous Unit Award for their combat performance.

On the afternoon of 22 July 2003, troops of the 101st Airborne 3/327th Infantry HQ and C-Company, aided by U.S. Special Forces killed Qusay Hussein, his 14-year-old son Mustapha, and his older brother Uday, during a raid on a home in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.[106] After Task Force 121 members were wounded, the 3/327th Infantry surrounded and fired on the house with a TOW missile, Mark 19 Automatic Grenade Launcher, M2 50 Caliber Machine guns and small arms. After about four hours of battle (the whole operation lasted 6 hours), the soldiers entered the house and found four dead, including the two brothers and their bodyguard. There were reports that Qusay's 14-year-old son Mustapha was the fourth body found. Brig. Gen. Frank Helmick, the assistant commander of 101st Airborne, commented that all occupants of the house died during the fierce gun battle before U.S. troops entered.[107]

Once replaced by the first operational Stryker Brigade, the 101st was withdrawn in early 2004 for rest and refit. As part of the Army's modular transformation, the existing infantry brigades, artillery brigade, and aviation brigades were transformed. The Army also activated the 4th Brigade Combat Team, which includes the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 506th Infantry Regiment and subordinate units. Both battalions were part of the 101st in Vietnam but saw their colors inactivated during an Army-wide reflagging of combat battalions in the 1980s.

As of December 2007, 143 members of the division have died while on service in Iraq.[108][needs update]

Second deployment to Iraq

The division's second deployment to Iraq began in the late summer of 2005. The division headquarters replaced the 42d Infantry Division, which had been directing security operations as the headquarters for Task Force Liberty. Renamed Task Force Band of Brothers, the 101st assumed responsibility on 1 November 2005 for four provinces in north central Iraq: Salah ad Din, As Sulymaniyah.

During the second deployment, 2d and 4th Brigades of the 101st Airborne Division were assigned to conduct security operations under the command of Task Force Baghdad, led initially by 3d Infantry Division, which was replaced by 4th Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion of the 506th Infantry (4th Brigade) was separated from the division and served with the Marines in Ramadi, in the Al Anbar province. 3d Brigade was assigned to Salah ad Din and Bayji sectors and 1st Brigade was assigned to the overall Kirkuk province which included Hawijah.

Task Force Band of Brothers' primary mission during its second deployment to Iraq was the training of Iraqi security forces. When the 101st returned to Iraq, there were no Iraqi units capable of assuming the lead for operations against Iraqi and foreign terrorists. As the division concluded its tour, 33 battalions were in the lead for security in assigned areas, and two of four Iraq divisions in northern Iraq were commanding and controlling subordinate units.

Simultaneously with training Iraqi soldiers and their leaders, 101st soldiers conducted numerous security operations against terrorist cells operating in the division's assigned, six-province area of operations. Operation Swarmer was the largest air assault operation conducted in Iraq since 22 April 2003. 1st Brigade conducted Operation Scorpion with Iraqi units near Kirkuk.

Developing other aspects of Iraqi society also figured in 101st operations in Iraq. Division commander Major General Thomas Turner hosted the first governors' conference for the six provinces in the division's area of operations, as well as the neighboring province of Erbil.[109]

Return to Afghanistan

While the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams were deployed to Iraq 2007–2008, the division headquarters, 4th Brigade Combat Team, the 101st Sustainment Brigade, and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade followed by the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade were deployed to Afghanistan for one-year tours falling within the 2007–09 window.

2010 Afghanistan

The Division Headquarters, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, and 4th Brigade Combat Team, and the 101st Sustainment Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. This is the first time since returning from Iraq in 2006 where all four infantry brigades (plus one CAB, SUSBDE) have served in the same combat theater.

On 15 September 2010, the 101st Airborne began a major operation known as Operation Dragon Strike. The aim of the operation was to reclaim the strategic southern province of Kandahar, which was the birthplace of the Taliban movement. The area where the operation took place has been dubbed "The Heart of Darkness" by Coalition troops.[110]

By the end of December 2010, the operation's main objectives had been accomplished. The majority of Taliban forces in Kandahar had withdrawn from the province,[111] and much of their leadership was said to have been fractured.[112]

As of 5 June 2011, 131 soldiers had been killed during this deployment, the highest death toll to the 101st Airborne in any single deployment since the Vietnam War.[113]

2011 Afghanistan

 
U.S. Army soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, return fire during a firefight with Taliban forces in Barawala Kalay Valley in Kunar province, Afghanistan, 31 March 2011.

The 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division conducted a major combat operation in Barawala Kalay Valley, Kunar Province, Afghanistan in late March–April 2011. It is known as the Battle of Barawala Kalay Valley. It was an operation to close down the Taliban supply route through the Barawala Kalay Valley and to remove the forces of Taliban warlord Qari Ziaur Rahman from the Barwala Kalay Valley. The 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division would suffer 6 killed and 7 wounded during combat operations. It would inflict over 100 casualties on the Taliban and successfully close down the Taliban supply route.[114] ABC News correspondent Mike Boettcher was on scene and he called it the fiercest fighting he has ever seen in his 30 years of being in war zones.[115]

Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom 166 101st Airborne soldiers have died while serving in Iraq.[116]

Operation United Assistance

In 2014, the 101st Airborne Division Headquarters deployed to west Africa to help contain the spread of Ebola, as part of Operation United Assistance.

Earlier in April 2014, 4th Brigade Combat Team had been inactivated as part of the Army's 2020 BCT restructuring program.[117]

5th Special Forces Group

In 2015, 5th Special Forces Group held five training sessions with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.[118] The classes covered communications and the operation of all-terrain vehicles. There was also a training session on the operation of TOW missiles.[118] Prior to these sessions training between U.S. Special Forces and U.S. conventional forces had been uncommon.[118]

2016 Iraq

The U.S. Army sent 500 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to Iraq and Kuwait in early 2016 to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces.[7]

In the recent conflicts the 101st Airborne has been increasingly involved conducting special operations especially the training and development of other states' military and security forces and counter-terrorism operations.[119] This is known in the special operations community as foreign internal defense and counter-terrorism. It was announced 14 January 2016 that soldiers of the 101st Airborne would be assigned rotations in Iraq, to train members of the Iraqi ground forces in preparation for action against the Islamic State.[119] Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the 101st Airborne that "The Iraqi and Peshmerga forces you will train, advise and assist have proven their determination, their resiliency, and increasingly, their capability.[119] But they need you to continue building on that success, preparing them for the fight today and the long hard fight for their future. They need your skill. They need your experience."[119]

In Spring 2016, 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment replaced a unit of the 26th MEU at Firebase Bell; they used M777 155mm howitzers to provide support to Iraqi forces attacking IS-occupied villages between Makhmour and Mosul.[120] 500 soldiers from the division's headquarters, including its commander Major General Gary J. Volesky, and about 1,300 soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team also deployed to Iraq in the Spring.[121]

On 26 June 2016, it was announced that Iraq had successfully taken back full control of Fallujah from the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS).[122] Iraqi ground troops have been under the direction of the 101st Airborne since early 2016.[119] In summer 2016, Stars and Stripes reported that about 400 soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Iraq as part of 11 July 2016 announcement by Defense Secretary Ash Carter of the presidential approved deployment of an additional 560 U.S. troops to Iraq to help establish and run a logistics hub at Qayyarah Airfield West, about 40 miles south Mosul, to support Iraqi and coalition troops in the Battle of Mosul.[121]

On 26 August 2016, an article from the website War is Boring shows a photo of a 101st Airborne Division M777 howitzer crew conducting fire missions during an operation to support Iraqi forces at Kara Soar Base in Iraq on 7 August 2016.[123] The article also confirms that American artillery has been supporting Iraqi forces during its campaign against ISIS.[123]

 
A trainer with Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, 101st Airborne Division, assists Iraqi army ranger students during a room clearing drill at Camp Taji, Iraq 18 July 2016.

On 31 August 2016, Clarksville Online reported U.S. soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), took charge of a Ranger training program for qualified volunteers from Iraqi security forces at Camp Taji, Iraq. The Ranger training program, led by Company A, 1–502nd, is designed to lay the foundation for an elite Iraqi unit.[124]

On 21 September 2016, an article from The Leaf Chronicle reported that Battery C, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division had been successfully conducting artillery raids against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. Battery C is said to have executed hundreds of missions and fired thousands of rounds in support of ISF operations since arriving in theatre in late May.[125]

On 17 October 2016, an article from The Leaf Chronicle stated that the 101st Airborne was leading a coalition of 19 nations to support the liberation of Mosul from ISIL. Under the direction of the 101st Iraqi forces have taken back a significant amount of geography from the control of ISIS. This included the liberation of Hit, Fallujah, and Qayyarah.[126]

On 3 November 2016, it was reported that U.S. Army combat engineers were seen just west of the Great Zab River about halfway between the Kurdish city of Irbil and Mosul. They were searching for improvised bombs. They were wearing 101st Airborne Division patches. The soldiers said they were not allowed to talk to the media.[127]

On 17 November 2016, sources reported that the 101st Airborne Division was headed home after a nine-month deployment to Iraq. Over the course of nine months, soldiers from the 101st Airborne helped train the Iraqi government's security forces. They taught marksmanship, basic battlefield medical care and ways to detect and disarm improvised explosive devices.[128] The division helped authorize 6,900 strikes, meant to destroy ISIS hideouts and staging areas.[128] The 101st Airborne played a significant role in the liberation of several Iraqi cities during this deployment.[128]

Operation Freedom's Sentinel

On 6 September 2016, the U.S. Army announced it will deploy about 1,400 soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan in fall 2016, in support of "Operation Freedom's Sentinel" – the U.S. counter-terrorism operation against the remnants of al-Qaeda, ISIS–K and other terror groups,[129] as part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Senior leadership referred to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team as being exceptional.[130] Brig. Gen. Scott Brower stated that the Rakkasans are trained, well-led, and prepared to accomplish any mission given to them.[130] During this deployment three Soldiers from 1/187, 3rd Brigade Combat Team died as a result of an insider attack by an Afghan Soldier.[131]

Operation Inherent Resolve

In May 2016, the brigade, deployed to advise and assist, train and equip Iraqi security forces to fight the Islamic State of Iraq. The 2nd Brigade also conducted precision surface-to-surface fires and supported a multitude of intelligence and logistical operations for coalition and Iraqi forces. They also provided base security throughout more than 12 areas of operations. The Brigade also aided in the clearance of ISIS from Fallujah, the near elimination of suicide attacks in Baghdad, and the introduction of improved tactics that liberated more than 100 towns and villages. The 2nd Brigade also played a significant role in the liberation of Mosul.[132]

Somali Civil War (2009–present)

In mid-April 2017, it was reported that 40 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division were deployed to Somalia on 2 April 2017 to improve the capabilities of the Somali Army in combating Islamist militants. AFRICOM stated that the troops will focus on bolstering the Somali army's logistics capabilities; an AFRICOM spokesman said that "This mission is not associated with teaching counterextremism tactics" and that the Somali government requested the training.[133]

Operation Atlantic Resolve

In June 2022, Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team rotated in to the U.S. Army V Corps' mission to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises with partners across the European continent in order to reassure allies and deter further Russian aggression during its invasion of Ukraine. The 101st soldiers deploying to Mihail Kogălniceanu in June did not represent additional U.S. forces in Europe, but are taking the place of soldiers assigned to 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters and the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division. In all, approximately 4700 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division are scheduled to deploy to locations across Europe.[134]

On 30 July 2022, the Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division and 2nd Brigade Combat Team uncased their colors and conducted an air assault demonstration at the 57th Air Base "Mihail Kogălniceanu" together with the 9th Mechanized Brigade of the Romanian Armed Forces. The event was attended by Maj. Gen. Joseph P. McGee and the Prime Minister of Romania, Nicolae Ciucă.[135][136]

Honors

Campaign participation credit

  •   World War I (2nd and 3rd Brigades only):
  1. Hundred Days Offensive (also known as the Battle of Saint-Quentin or the Second Battle of the Somme);
  2. Meuse-Argonne Offensive;
  3. Picardy 1918
  •   World War II (except 159th Aviation Brigade):
  1. Normandy (with arrowhead);
  2. Rhineland (with arrowhead);
  3. Ardennes-Alsace;
  4. Central Europe
  1. Defense (1st Brigade only);
  2. Counteroffensive (1st Brigade only);
  3. Counteroffensive, Phase II (1st Brigade only)
  4. Counteroffensive, Phase III;
  5. Tet Counteroffensive;
  6. Counteroffensive, Phase IV;
  7. Counteroffensive, Phase V;
  8. Counteroffensive, Phase VI;
  9. Tet 1969/Counteroffensive;
  10. Summer-Fall 1969;
  11. Winter-Spring 1970;
  12. Sanctuary Counteroffensive;
  13. Counteroffensive, Phase VII;
  14. Consolidation I;
  15. Consolidation II
  •   Southwest Asia (Except 159th Aviation Brigade):
  1. Defense of Saudi Arabia;
  2. Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
  •   Haiti
  •   Afghanistan
  •   Iraq

Decorations

  •  Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade only)
  •  Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only)
  •  Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO, VIETNAM 1966 (1st Brigade only)
  •  Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN (3rd Brigade only)
  •  Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for AFGHANISTAN 2010–2011 (2nd Brigade only)
  •  Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for Afghanistan 2008–2009 (5–101 AVN only)
  •  Joint Meritorious Unit Award for Haiti Operation Uphold Democracy (101st MP CO only)
  •  Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE (3rd Brigade and DIVARTY only)
  •  Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA (1st Brigade only)
  •  Valorous Unit Award for AN NAJAF (1st Brigade only)
  •  Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010 (3rd Brigade only)
  •  Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010–2011 (2nd Brigade only)
  •  Navy/Marine Unit Commendation (Army) for Iraq 2005–2006 (4th Brigade only)
  •  Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965–1966 (1st Brigade only)
  •  Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968 (3rd Brigade only)
  •  Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  •  Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for Iraq 2003–2004 (Division)
  •  Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2003–2004 (1st Brigade only)
  •  Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2005–2006 (4th Brigade only)
  •  French Croix de guerre with Palm, World War II for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade only)
  •  Belgian Croix de guerre 1940 with Palm for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only);
  • Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only)
  • Belgian Fourragère 1944 (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
  • Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in FRANCE AND BELGIUM (Division and 1st Brigade only)
  •  Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966–1967 (1st Brigade only)
  •  Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 (2d Brigade only)
  •  Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968–1969 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  •  Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  •  Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968–1970 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  •  Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970 (DIVARTY only)

Notable members

Current structure

 
101st Airborne Division organization 2021
 

101st Airborne Division consists of a division headquarters and headquarters battalion, three infantry brigade combat teams, a division artillery, a combat aviation brigade, a sustainment brigade, as well as several attached units. The division's artillery headquarters no longer has direct control over the 101st field artillery battalions, which are now included in the three infantry brigade combat teams but does have supervision over one air defense artillery battalion aligned to the division.

  •    Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion ("Gladiators")
    • Headquarters and Support Company
    • Signal, Intelligence, and Sustainment Company ("Never Quit")
    • 40th Public Affairs Detachment ("The Professionals")
    • 101st Airborne Division Band

1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT) ("Bastogne")(♣)[142]

2nd BCT ("Strike")(♥)

3rd BCT ("Rakkasan")( )

  •    HHC[144]
  •    1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment ("Leader Rakkasans")
  •    3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment ("Iron Rakkasans")
  •    2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment ("White Currahee")
  •    1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment ("War Rakkasans")
  •    3rd Battalion, 320th FAR ("Red Knights")
  •    21st BEB ("Rak Solid")
  •    626th BSB ("Assurgam")

101st Airborne Division Artillery ("Guns of Glory")(•)

  •    Headquarters and Headquarters Battery ("Headhunters")
Note: The 2nd Battalion 32rd FAR; 1st Battalion, 320th FAR; and 3rd Battalion, 320th FAR now fall under their respective brigade combat teams and are no longer controlled by DIVARTY.
Note: The 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment currently falls under the DIVARTY's supervision.

Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (CAB) ("Wings of Destiny")(♦)

  •    HHC ("Hell Cats")
  •    2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment ("Out Front")
  •    1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment ("Expect No Mercy")
  •    5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment ("Eagle Assault")
  •    6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (General Support) ("Shadow of the Eagle")
  •    96th Aviation Support Battalion ("Troubleshooters")
Note: Concurrent with the inactivation of the 159th CAB in 2015, the 101st CAB was redesignated as the Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, bringing it in line with other divisional CAB designations. Also, the inactivation of the 159th CAB also led to the 101st Airborne Division taking on the same configuration as other light infantry divisions of the U.S. Army.

101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade ("Life Liners")[145]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Lt. Col. William L. Turner, Colorado. Col. Turner was killed in action the next day
  2. ^ Lt. Col. Robert C. Carroll (1/501), Lt. Col. Robert L. Wolverton (3/506th), and Major George S. Grant (3/506)
  3. ^ Col. Johnson was killed in action in the Netherlands on 8 October 1944.
  4. ^ Patch became acting commander of the 1st Battalion on 7 June, and later commanded the 3/506 as a lieutenant colonel. Both Patch and Raudstein were awarded the DSC.
  5. ^ CCB consisted of the 3rd Tank Battalion, 20th Armored Infantry Battalion, C Company 21st Tank Battalion, B Company 54th Armored Infantry Battalion, C Company 609th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, and three companies of support troops.
  6. ^ Nuts can mean several things in American English slang. In this case, however, it signified rejection, and was explained to the Germans as meaning "Go to Hell!"

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Further reading

  • Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division by Russ & Susan Bryant
  • Burns, Richard R. Pathfinder: First In, Last Out. New York: Ballantine Books, 2002. ISBN 0804116024
  • 101st Airborne in Vietnam The 'Screaming Eagles' by Michael Sharpe & Simon Dunstan
  • Blackmon, Jimmy. Pale Horse: Hunting Terrorists and Commanding Heroes with the 101st Airborne Division. New York: 2016.
  • Screaming Eagles The 101st Airborne Division from D-Day to Desert Storm by Christopher J. Anderson
  • Ailsby, Christopher (2000). Hitler's Sky Warriors: German Paratroopers in Action, 1939–1945. Staplehurst, UK: Spellmount Limited. ISBN 1-86227-109-7.

External links

  •   Media related to 101st Airborne Division at Wikimedia Commons
 
Wikiquote has quotations related to 101st Airborne Division.
  • – United States Army website
  • Army.mil/101stAirborne
  • 101st Airborne Division Association
  • STRIKE on The Military Channel's Warrior POV – Screaming Eagles in Afghanistan (YouTube)
Preceded by Regional Command East
2013–Current 		Succeeded by
10th Mountain Division
Preceded by Regional Command East
2010–2011 		Succeeded by

March 12, 2023
101st, airborne, division, 101st, division, 101st, redirect, here, other, uses, 101st, division, disambiguation, assault, screaming, eagles, light, infantry, division, united, states, army, that, specializes, assault, operations, plan, coordinate, execute, mul. 101st Division and 101st redirect here For other uses see 101st Division disambiguation The 101st Airborne Division Air Assault Screaming Eagles 1 is a light infantry division of the United States Army that specializes in air assault operations 2 It can plan coordinate and execute multiple battalion size air assault operations to seize terrain These operations can be conducted by mobile teams covering large distances fighting behind enemy lines and working in austere environments with limited or degraded infrastructure 3 4 5 Its unique battlefield mobility and high level of training have kept it in the vanguard of U S land combat forces in recent conflicts 6 for example foreign internal defense and counterterrorism operations in Iraq in Afghanistan in 2015 2016 7 8 9 and in Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2018 2021 101st Airborne Division Air Assault Insignia of the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault Active1918 National Army 1921 1942 Organized Reserve 1942 1945 Army of the United States 1948 1949 Regular Army 1950 1956 Regular Army 1956 present Regular Army Country United StatesBranch United States ArmySizeDivisionPart ofXVIII Airborne CorpsHeadquartersFort Campbell KentuckyNickname s Screaming Eagles special designation Motto s Rendezvous With DestinyBeret color BlackMascot s Bald eagle Old Abe EngagementsWorld War II Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden Battle of the Bulge Western Allied invasion of GermanyVietnam WarPersian Gulf WarGlobal War on Terrorism War in Afghanistan Iraq War Operation Inherent Resolve Somali Civil WarWebsiteOfficial WebsiteCommandersCommanderMG Joseph P McGeeCommand Sergeant MajorCSM Veronica KnappNotablecommandersComplete list of commandersInsigniaCombat service identification badgeSubdued shoulder sleeve insignia worn on OCP ACUDistinctive unit insignia of Headquarters and Headquarters BattalionDivision Flag Established in 1918 the 101st Division was first constituted as an airborne unit in 1942 10 During World War II it gained renown for its role in Operation Overlord the D Day landings and airborne landings on 6 June 1944 in Normandy France Operation Market Garden the liberation of the Netherlands and its action during the Battle of the Bulge around the city of Bastogne Belgium During the Vietnam War the 101st Airborne Division fought in several major campaigns and battles including the Battle of Hamburger Hill in May 1969 In mid 1968 the division was reorganized and redesignated as an airmobile division in 1974 as an air assault division The titles reflect the division s shift from airplanes to helicopters as the primary method of delivering troops into combat At the height of the War on Terror the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault had over 200 aircraft citation needed This shrank to just over 100 aircraft with the inactivation of the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade in 2015 3 making it no different in configuration from the Army s other light infantry divisions In 2019 media reports suggested the Army was working to restore the 101st s aviation capabilities so it can return to lifting an entire brigade in one air assault operation 3 The 101st s headquarters is at Fort Campbell Kentucky Many current members of the 101st are graduates of the U S Army Air Assault School which is co located with the division The school is known as one of the Army s most difficult courses only about half of those who begin it graduate 11 The Screaming Eagles was referred to as the tip of the spear by former U S Secretary of Defense Robert Gates 12 and the most potent and tactically mobile of the U S Army s divisions by General Edward C Meyer then Chief of Staff of the Army 13 Contents 1 History 2 World War I and the interwar period 3 World War II to the present day 3 1 D Day 3 1 1 Drop Zone Able 3 1 2 Drop Zone Charlie 3 1 3 Drop Zone Dog 3 2 Other actions 3 2 1 Operation Market Garden 3 2 2 Battle of the Bulge 3 2 3 Liberation of Kaufering 3 2 4 Composition 3 3 Casualties 3 3 1 Awards 3 3 2 Post war 3 3 3 Helmet insignia 3 4 Postwar training and pentomic reactivation 3 5 Civil rights 3 6 STRAC 3 7 Vietnam War 3 7 1 Tiger Force 3 7 2 Lam Son 719 3 8 Post Vietnam 3 9 Air assault operations 3 10 Organization 1989 3 11 Gulf War 3 12 Humanitarian aid 3 13 Kosovo 3 14 Montana forest fires 3 15 Operation Enduring Freedom 3 16 Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 17 Second deployment to Iraq 3 18 Return to Afghanistan 3 19 2010 Afghanistan 3 20 2011 Afghanistan 3 21 Operation United Assistance 3 22 5th Special Forces Group 3 23 2016 Iraq 3 24 Operation Freedom s Sentinel 3 25 Operation Inherent Resolve 3 26 Somali Civil War 2009 present 3 27 Operation Atlantic Resolve 4 Honors 4 1 Campaign participation credit 4 2 Decorations 5 Notable members 6 Current structure 7 See also 8 Notes 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External linksHistory EditMain article History of the 101st Airborne DivisionWorld War I and the interwar period EditThe 101st Division headquarters was organized 2 November 1918 at Camp Shelby Mississippi having been constituted on 23 July in the National Army World War I ended 9 days later and the division was demobilized on 11 December 1918 14 In 1921 the division headquarters was reconstituted in the Organized Reserves and organized on 10 September 1921 at Milwaukee Wisconsin 14 It was at this time that the Screaming Eagle mascot became associated with the division as a successor to the traditions of the Wisconsin volunteer regiments of the American Civil War 15 World War II to the present day Edit General Dwight D Eisenhower speaking with 1st Lieutenant Wallace C Strobel and men of Company E 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment on 5 June The placard around Strobel s neck indicates he is the jumpmaster for chalk No 23 of the 438th TCG On 30 July 1942 the Army Ground Forces ordered the activation of two airborne divisions by 15 August 1942 The 82nd Division an Organized Reserve division ordered into active military service in March 1942 was ordered to provide cadre to the 101st Division the other division selected for the project for all elements except parachute infantry As part of the reorganization of the 101st Division as an airborne division the unit was disbanded in the Organized Reserve on 15 August 1942 and reconstituted and reactivated in the Army of the United States 14 On 19 August 1942 its first commander Major General William C Lee read out General Order Number 5 17 The 101st Airborne Division which was activated on 16 August 1942 at Camp Claiborne Louisiana has no history but it has a rendezvous with destiny Due to the nature of our armament and the tactics in which we shall perfect ourselves we shall be called upon to carry out operations of far reaching military importance and we shall habitually go into action when the need is immediate and extreme Let me call your attention to the fact that our badge is the great American eagle This is a fitting emblem for a division that will crush its enemies by falling upon them like a thunderbolt from the skies The history we shall make the record of high achievement we hope to write in the annals of the American Army and the American people depends wholly and completely on the men of this division Each individual each officer and each enlisted man must therefore regard himself as a necessary part of a complex and powerful instrument for the overcoming of the enemies of the nation Each in his own job must realize that he is not only a means but an indispensable means for obtaining the goal of victory It is therefore not too much to say that the future itself in whose molding we expect to have our share is in the hands of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division 18 D Day Edit This section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed February 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message Main article Mission Albany Private Ware applies last second war paint to Private Plaudo in England June 1944 The pathfinders of the 101st Airborne Division led the way on D Day in the night drop before the invasion They left from RAF North Witham having trained there with the 82nd Airborne Division These night drops caused a lot of trouble for the gliders Many crashed and equipment and personnel were lost 19 The 101st Airborne Division s objectives were to secure the four causeway exits behind Utah Beach between Saint Martin de Varreville and Pouppeville to ensure the exit route for the 4th Infantry Division from the beach later that morning 20 The other objectives included destroying a German coastal artillery battery at Saint Martin de Varreville capturing buildings nearby at Mezieres believed used as barracks and a command post for the artillery battery capturing the Douve River lock at La Barquette opposite Carentan capturing two footbridges spanning the Douve at La Porte opposite Brevands destroying the highway bridges over the Douve at Saint Come du Mont and securing the Douve River valley Their secondary mission was to protect the southern flank of VII Corps They destroyed two bridges along the Carentan highway and a railroad bridge just west of it They gained control of La Barquette locks and established a bridgehead over Douve River which was located north east of Carentan 20 In the process units also disrupted German communications established roadblocks to hamper the movement of German reinforcements established a defensive line between the beachhead and Valognes cleared the area of the drop zones to the unit boundary at Les Forges and linked up with the 82nd Airborne Division Drop Zone Able Edit This section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed February 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message The paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division jumped between 0048 and 0140 British Double Summer Time of 6 June The first wave inbound to Drop Zone A the northernmost was not surprised by the cloud bank and maintained formation but navigating errors and a lack of Eureka signal caused the first error Although the 2nd Battalion 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment was dropped as a compact unit it jumped on the wrong drop zone while its commander Lt Col Steve A Chappuis came down virtually alone on the correct drop zone Chappuis and his stick captured the coastal battery soon after assembling and found that it had already been dismantled after an air raid Most of the remainder of the 502nd 70 of 80 sticks dropped in a disorganized pattern around the impromptu drop zone set up by the pathfinders near the beach The battalion commanders of the 1st and 3rd Battalions Lt Col Patrick J Cassidy 1 502 and Lt Col Robert G Cole 3 502 took charge of small groups and accomplished all of their D Day missions Cassidy s group took Saint Martin de Varreville by 0630 sent a patrol under S Sgt Harrison C Summers to seize the XYZ objective a barracks at Mesieres and set up a thin line of defense from Foucarville to Beuzeville Cole s group moved during the night from near Sainte Mere Eglise to the Varreville battery then continued on and captured Exit 3 at 0730 They held the position during the morning until relieved by troops moving inland from Utah Beach Both commanders found Exit 4 covered by German artillery fire and Cassidy recommended to the 4th Infantry Division that it not use the exit The division s parachute artillery did not fare nearly as well Its drop was one of the worst of the operation losing all but one howitzer and dropping all but two of 54 loads four to twenty miles 32 km to the north where most ultimately became casualties Drop Zone Charlie Edit The second wave assigned to drop the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment PIR on Drop Zone C 1 mile 1 6 km west of Sainte Marie du Mont was badly dispersed by the clouds then subjected to intense antiaircraft fire for 10 miles 16 km Three of the 81 C 47s were lost before or during the jump One piloted by 1st Lt Marvin F Muir of the 439th Troop Carrier Group caught fire Lt Muir held the aircraft steady while the stick jumped then died when the plane crashed immediately afterward for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Despite the opposition the 506th s 1st Battalion notes 1 the original division reserve was dropped accurately on DZ C landing two thirds of its sticks and regimental commander Col Robert F Sink on or within a mile of the drop zone Most of the 2nd Battalion had jumped too far west near Sainte Mere Eglise They eventually assembled near Foucarville at the northern edge of the 101st Airborne s objective area It fought its way to the hamlet of le Chemin near the Houdienville causeway by mid afternoon but found that the 4th Division had already seized the exit hours before The 3rd Battalion of the 501st PIR led by Lt Col Julian J Ewell 3 501 also assigned to jump onto DZ C was more scattered but took over the mission of securing the exits An ad hoc company sized team that included division commander Maj Gen Maxwell D Taylor reached the Pouppeville exit at 0600 21 After a six hour house clearing battle with elements of the German 1058th Grenadier Regiment the group secured the exit shortly before 4th Division troops arrived to link up Drop Zone Dog Edit The third wave also encountered severe flak losing six aircraft The troop carriers still made an accurate drop placing 94 of 132 sticks on or close to the drop zone but part of the DZ was covered by pre registered German machine gun and mortar fire that inflicted heavy casualties before many troops could get out of their chutes Among the killed were two of the three battalion commanders and the executive officer of the 3 506th notes 2 The surviving battalion commander Lt Col Robert A Ballard gathered 250 troopers and advanced toward Saint Come du Mont to complete his mission of destroying the highway bridges over the Douve Less than half a mile from his objective at les Droueries he was stopped by elements of battalion III 1058 Grenadier Rgt Another group of 50 men assembled by the regimental S 3 Major Richard J Allen attacked the same area from the east at Basse Addeville but was also pinned down The commander of the 501st PIR Col Howard R Johnson collected 150 troops and captured the main objective la Barquette lock by 0400 After establishing defensive positions Col Johnson went back to the DZ and assembled another 100 men including Allen s group to reinforce the bridgehead Despite naval gunfire support from the cruiser Quincy Ballard s battalion was unable to take Saint Come du Mont or join Col Johnson notes 3 The S 3 officer of the 3rd Battalion 506th PIR Capt Charles G Shettle put together a platoon and achieved another objective by seizing two foot bridges near la Porte at 0430 and crossed to the east bank When their ammunition drew low after knocking out several machine gun emplacements the small force withdrew to the west bank It doubled in size overnight as stragglers came in and repulsed a German probe across the bridges Other actions Edit This section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed February 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message Two other noteworthy actions took place near Sainte Marie du Mont by units of the 506th PIR both of which involved the seizure and destruction of batteries of 105mm guns of the German III Battalion 191st Artillery Regiment During the morning a small patrol of troopers from Company E 506th PIR under then 1st Lt Richard D Winters overwhelmed a force 3 4 times its size and destroyed four guns at a farm called Brecourt Manor for which Winters was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the assault troops given Silver and Bronze Stars This was later documented in the book Band of Brothers and the acclaimed miniseries of the same name 101st Airborne troops posing with a captured Nazi vehicle air identification sign two days after landing at Normandy Around noon while reconnoitering the area by jeep Col Sink received word that a second battery of four guns had been discovered at Holdy a manor between his CP and Sainte Marie du Mont and the defenders had a force of some 70 paratroopers pinned down Capt Lloyd E Patch Headquarters Company 1st 506th and Capt Knut H Raudstein Company C 506th PIR notes 4 led an additional 70 troops to Holdy and enveloped the position The combined force then continued on to seize Sainte Marie du Mont A platoon of the 502nd PIR left to hold the battery destroyed three of the four guns before Col Sink could send four jeeps to save them for the 101st s use At the end of D Day Gen Taylor and his assistant division commander ADC Brig Gen Anthony C McAuliffe returned from their foray at Pouppeville Taylor had control of approximately 2 500 of his 6 600 men most of whom were in the vicinity of the 506th CP at Culoville with the thin defense line west of Saint Germain du Varreville or the division reserve at Blosville Two glider airlifts had brought in scant reinforcements and had resulted in the death of his other ADC Brig Gen Don F Pratt his neck broken on impact The 327th Glider Infantry had come across Utah Beach but only its third battalion 1st Battalion 401st GIR had reported in The 101st Airborne Division had accomplished its most important mission of securing the beach exits but had a tenuous hold on positions near the Douve River over which the Germans could still move armored units The three groups clustered there had tenuous contact with each other but none with the rest of the division A shortage of radio equipment caused by losses during the drops exacerbated his control problems Taylor made destroying the Douve bridges the division s top priority and delegated the task to Col Sink who issued orders for the 1st Battalion 401st Glider Infantry to lead three battalions south the next morning As the regular troops moved in from the coast and strengthened the paratrooper positions many were relieved and sent to the rear to organize for the next big paratroop operation Operation Market Garden Edit Men of the 101st Airborne Division inspect a broken glider September 1944 On 17 September 1944 the 101st Airborne Division became part of XVIII Airborne Corps under Major General Matthew Ridgway part of the First Allied Airborne Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton The division took part in Operation Market Garden 17 25 September 1944 an unsuccessful Allied military operation under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery commander of the Anglo Canadian 21st Army Group to capture Dutch bridges over the Rhine it was fought in the Netherlands and is the largest airborne operation of any war 22 The plan as outlined by Field Marshal Montgomery required the seizure by airborne forces of several bridges on the Highway 69 across the Maas Meuse River and two arms of the Rhine the Waal and the Lower Rhine as well as several smaller canals and tributaries Crossing these bridges would allow British armoured units to outflank the Siegfried Line advance into northern Germany and encircle the Ruhr Germany s industrial heartland thus ending the war This meant the large scale use of Allied airborne forces including both the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions along with the British 1st Airborne Division The operation was initially successful Several bridges between Eindhoven and Nijmegen were captured by the 82nd and 101st The 101st met little resistance and captured most of their initial objectives by the end of 17 September However the demolition of the division s primary objective a bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal at Son delayed the capture of the main road bridge over the Maas until 20 September Faced with the loss of the bridge at Son the 101st unsuccessfully attempted to capture a similar bridge a few kilometers away at Best but found the approach blocked Other units continued moving to the south and eventually reached the northern end of Eindhoven At 06 00 hours on 18 September the Irish Guards of the British Guards Armoured Division resumed the advance while facing determined resistance from German infantry and tanks 23 p71 Around noon the 101st Airborne were met by the lead reconnaissance units from British XXX Corps At 16 00 radio contact alerted the main force that the Son bridge had been destroyed and requested that a replacement Bailey bridge be brought forward By nightfall the Guards Armoured Division had established itself in the Eindhoven area 24 however transport columns were jammed in the packed streets of the town and were subjected to German aerial bombardment during the night XXX Corps engineers supported by German prisoners of war constructed a class 40 Bailey bridge within 10 hours across the Wilhelmina Canal 23 p72 The longest sector of the highway secured by the 101st Airborne Division later became known as Hell s Highway The 101st then came up to the Nijmegen salient and relieved the British 43rd Wessex Division to defend against the German counter offensive in early October Battle of the Bulge Edit Main article Siege of Bastogne 101st Airborne Division troops watch as C 47s drop supplies over Bastogne The Ardennes Offensive 16 December 1944 25 January 1945 was a major German offensive launched towards the end of World War II through the forested Ardennes Mountains region of Belgium Germany s planned goal for these operations was to split the British and American Allied line in half capturing Antwerp Belgium in the process and then proceeding to encircle and destroy the entire British 21st Army Group and all 12th U S Army Group units north of the German advance forcing the Western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis Powers favor as a result 25 In order to reach Antwerp before the Allies could regroup and bring their superior air power to bear German mechanized forces had to seize all the major highways through eastern Belgium Because all seven of the main roads in the Ardennes converged on the small town of Bastogne control of its crossroads was vital to the success or failure of the German attack Despite several notable signs in the weeks preceding the attack the Ardennes Offensive achieved virtually complete surprise By the end of the second day of battle it became apparent that the 28th Infantry Division was near collapse Maj Gen Troy H Middleton commander of VIII Corps ordered part of his armored reserve Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division to Bastogne notes 5 Meanwhile Gen Eisenhower ordered forward the SHAEF reserve composed of the 82nd and 101st Airborne which were stationed at Reims Both divisions were alerted on the evening of 17 December and not having organic transport began arranging trucks for movement forward the weather conditions being unfit for a parachute drop The 82nd longer in reserve and thus better re equipped moved out first The 101st left Camp Mourmelon on the afternoon of 18 December with the order of march the division artillery division trains 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment PIR 506th PIR 502nd PIR and 327th Glider Infantry Much of the convoy was conducted at night in drizzle and sleet using headlights despite threat of air attack to speed the movement and at one point the combined column stretched from Bouillon Belgium back to Reims The 101st Airborne was routed to Bastogne located 107 miles 172 km away on a 1 463 feet 446 m high plateau while the 82nd Airborne took up positions further north to block the critical advance of Kampfgruppe Peiper toward Werbomont Belgium The 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion in reserve sixty miles to the north was ordered to Bastogne to provide anti tank support to the armorless 101st Airborne on the 18th and arrived late the next evening The first elements of the 501st PIR entered the division assembly area four miles west of Bastogne shortly after midnight of 19 December and by 0900 the entire division had arrived By 21 December the German forces had surrounded Bastogne which was defended by both the 101st Airborne and Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division Conditions inside the perimeter were tough most of the medical supplies and medical personnel had been captured on 19 December 26 CCB of the 10th Armored Division severely weakened by losses in delaying the German advance formed a mobile fire brigade of 40 light and medium tanks including survivors of CCR of the 9th Armored Division which had been destroyed while delaying the Germans and eight replacement tanks found unassigned in Bastogne Three artillery battalions including the all black 969th Field Artillery Battalion were commandeered by the 101st and formed a temporary artillery group Each had 12 155 mm howitzers providing the division with heavy firepower in all directions restricted only by its limited ammunition supply By 22 December artillery ammunition was restricted to 10 rounds per gun per day The weather cleared the next day however and supplies primarily ammunition were dropped over four of the next five days A letter from General McAuliffe on Christmas Day to the 101st Airborne troops defending Bastogne Despite several determined German attacks the perimeter held The German commander Generalleutnant Heinrich Freiherr von Luttwitz 27 requested Bastogne s surrender 28 When General Anthony McAuliffe now acting commander of the 101st was told he commented Nuts After turning to other pressing issues his staff reminded him that there should be a reply to the German demand One officer Harry W O Kinnard then a lieutenant colonel recommended that McAuliffe s reply should be tough to beat Thus McAuliffe wrote on the paper delivered to the Germans NUTS That reply had to be explained both to the Germans and to non American Allies notes 6 Both of the two panzer divisions of the XLVII Panzer Corps moved forward from Bastogne after 21 December leaving only one panzergrenadier regiment of the Panzer Lehr Division to assist the 26th Volksgrenadier Division in attempting to capture the crossroads The 26th VG received additional armor and panzergrenadier reinforcements on Christmas Eve to prepare for its final assault to take place on Christmas Day Because it lacked sufficient armor and troops and the 26th VG Division was near exhaustion the XLVII Panzer Corps concentrated the assault on several individual locations on the west side of perimeter in sequence rather than launching one simultaneous attack on all sides The assault despite initial success by German tanks in penetrating the American line was defeated and virtually all of the German tanks involved were destroyed The next day 26 December the spearhead of General George S Patton s U S Third Army relief force the 4th Armored Division broke through the German lines and opened a corridor to Bastogne ending the siege The division got the nickname The Battered Bastards of the Bastion of Bastogne With the encirclement broken the men of the 101st expected to be relieved but were given orders to resume the offensive The 506th attacked north and recaptured Recogne on 9 January 1945 the Bois des Corbeaux Corbeaux Wood to the right of Easy Company on 10 January and Foy on 13 January The 327th attacked towards Bourcy northeast of Bastogne on 13 January and encountered stubborn resistance The 101st Airborne Division faced the elite of the German military which included such units as 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Fuhrerbegleitbrigade 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend and the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen 29 The 506th retook Noville on 15 January and Rachamps the next day The 502nd reinforced the 327th and the two regiments captured Bourcy on 17 January pushing the Germans back to their point of advance on the day the division had arrived in Bastogne The next day the 101st Airborne Division was relieved 30 A Panzer IV of Kampfgruppe Peiper of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler The 101st Airborne Division fought this elite Waffen SS division when the 101st attacked towards Bourcy northeast of Bastogne on 13 January 1945 Liberation of Kaufering Edit In April 1945 the 101st moved into the Rhineland and eventually reached the Bavarian Alps As the 101st drove into Southern Germany they liberated Kaufering IV one of the camps in the Kaufering complex Kaufering IV had been designated as the sick camp where prisoners who could no longer work were sent During the typhus epidemic of 1945 in Germany Kaufering prisoners with typhus were sent there to die Kaufering IV was located near the town of Hurlach which the 12th Armored Division occupied on 27 April with the 101st arriving the next day The soldiers found over 500 dead inmates and the Army ordered the local townspeople to bury the dead 31 Composition Edit 101st Airborne troops retrieving air dropped supplies during the siege of Bastogne The division was composed of the following units 32 327th Glider Infantry Regiment 401st Glider Infantry Regiment disbanded 1 March 1945 1st Battalion became the 3rd Battalion 327th GIR while the 2nd Battalion became the 3rd Battalion 325th GIR 82nd Airborne Division 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment attached 15 September 1943 to 1 March 1945 thereafter assigned 81st Airborne Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion 101st Parachute Maintenance Company assigned 1 March 45 326th Airborne Medical Company 101st Airborne Division Artillery 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion 75 mm 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion 75 mm 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion 75 mm assigned 1 March 1945 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion 75 mm Special Troops Headquarters activated 1 Mar 45 Headquarters Company 101st Airborne Division 101st Airborne Signal Company 426th Airborne Quartermaster Company 801st Airborne Ordnance Company Reconnaissance Platoon assigned 1 March 45 Military Police Platoon Band assigned 1 March 45 Attached paratrooper units 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment attached January 1944 past 9 May 1945 Casualties Edit Total battle casualties 9 328 33 Killed in action 1 766 33 Wounded in action 6 388 33 Missing in action 207 33 Prisoner of war 967 33 Awards Edit During World War II the division and its members were awarded the following awards 34 Distinguished Unit Citations 13 Medal of Honor 3 Staff Sergeant Isadore S Jachman KIA Lieutenant Colonel Robert G Cole KIA Private First Class Joe E Mann KIA Distinguished Service Medal 2 Silver Star 456 Legion of Merit 20 Soldier s Medal 4 Bronze Star Medal 9 488 Air Medal 48Post war Edit This section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed February 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message On 1 August 1945 the 501st PIR was moved to France while the rest of the division was based around Zell am See and Kaprun in the Austrian Alps Some units within the division began training for redeployment to the Pacific Theatre of War but the war ended before they were needed The division was inactivated 30 November 1945 For their efforts during World War II the 101st Airborne Division was awarded four campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations Helmet insignia Edit The 101st was distinguished partly by its tactical helmet insignia Card suits diamonds spades hearts and clubs on each side of the helmet denoted the regiment to which a soldier belonged The only exception was the 187th which was added to the division later Divisional headquarters and support units were denoted by use of a square and divisional artillery by a circle Tick marks at 3 6 and 9 o clock indicated to which battalion the individual belonged while the tick mark at 12 o clock indicated a headquarters or headquarters company assignment 35 These insignia were first seen in World War II and can still be seen on 101st Division soldiers today 327th Clubs Currently worn by the 1st Brigade Combat Team depicted in 1949 film Battleground 501st Diamonds Currently 1st Battalion 501st Infantry Regiment is part of the 2nd Brigade 11th Airborne Division in Alaska The diamond is currently used by both 1st Battalion 501st Infantry Regiment and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade 502nd Hearts Currently worn by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team 506th Spades Formerly worn by 4th Brigade Combat Team before their deactivation in 2014 depicted in the mini series Band of Brothers currently worn by 1st and 2nd Battalion of the 506th Infantry Regiment 187th Torii Currently worn by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team not during World War II when the 187th Infantry Regiment was part of the 11th Airborne Division Postwar training and pentomic reactivation Edit The 101st Airborne was allotted to the Regular Army in June 1948 14 and reactivated as a training unit at Camp Breckenridge Kentucky the following July only to be deactivated the next year 14 It was reactivated in 1950 following the outbreak of the Korean War again to serve as a Training Center at Camp Breckenridge until inactivated in December 1953 During this time it included the 53rd Airborne Infantry Regiment It was reactivated again in May 1954 at Fort Jackson South Carolina 14 and in March 1956 the 101st was transferred less personnel and equipment to Fort Campbell Kentucky to be reorganized as a combat division Using the personnel and equipment of the 187th ARCT and the 508th ARCT 36 the 101st was reactivated as the first pentomic division with five battle groups in place of its World War II structure that included regiments and battalions The reorganization was in place by late April 1957 and the division s battle groups were 2nd Airborne Battle Group 187th Infantry 1st Airborne Battle Group 327th Infantry 1st Airborne Battle Group 501st Infantry 1st Airborne Battle Group 502nd Infantry 1st Airborne Battle Group 506th InfantryDivision artillery consisted of the following units Battery D 319th Artillery Battery E 319th Artillery Battery A 321st Artillery Battery B 321st Artillery Battery C 321st Artillery Battery A 377th ArtilleryOther supporting units were also assigned Civil rights Edit The Little Rock Nine were a group of African American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in September 1957 as a result of the U S Supreme Court s ruling in the historic Brown v Board of Education case Elements of the division s 1st Airborne Battle Group 327th Infantry were ordered to Little Rock by President Eisenhower to escort the students into the formerly segregated school during the crisis The division was under the command of Major General Edwin Walker who was committed to protecting the black students 37 The troops were deployed from September until Thanksgiving 1957 when Task Force 153rd Infantry federalized Arkansas Army National Guard which had also been on duty at the school since 24 September assumed the responsibility STRAC Edit In 1958 the US Army formed the Strategic Army Corps consisting of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions and the 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions with a mission of rapid deployment on short notice Vietnam War Edit Main article Vietnam War Men of the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division fire from old Viet Cong trenches On 29 July 1965 the 1st Brigade deployed to II Corps South Vietnam with the following units 1st Battalion 327th Infantry 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry 2nd Battalion 502nd Infantry 2nd Battalion 320th Artillery Troop A 2nd Squadron 17th Cavalry 101st Support Battalion Provisional Company A 326th Engineer Battalion Company D 326th Medical Battalion Company B 501st Signal Battalion 20th Chemical Detachment 181st Military Intelligence Detachment 406th Army Security Agency Detachment 38 From 1965 to 1967 the 1st Brigade operated independently as sort of a fire brigade and earned the reputation as being called the Nomads of Vietnam They fought in every area of South Vietnam from the Demilitarized Zone up north all the way down the Central Highlands 39 In May 1967 the 1st Brigade operated as part of Task Force Oregon 38 Within the United States the 101st along with the 82nd Airborne Division was sent in to quell the 1967 Detroit riot The rest of the 101st was deployed to Vietnam in November 1967 and the 1st Brigade rejoined its parent division 38 The 101st was deployed in the northern I Corps region operating against the People s Army of Vietnam PAVN infiltration routes through Laos and the A Shau Valley for most of the war Notable among these were the Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969 and Firebase Ripcord in 1970 The 101st Airborne were called the Chicken Men by the North Vietnamese because of their insignia Enemy commanders are said by whom to have warned their men to avoid the Chicken Men at all costs because they were sure to lose any engagement with them 40 unreliable source Tiger Force Edit Tiger Force was the nickname of a long range reconnaissance patrol unit 41 of the 1st Battalion Airborne 327th Infantry Regiment 1st Brigade Separate 101st Airborne Division which fought in the Vietnam War 42 The platoon sized unit approximately 45 paratroopers was founded by Colonel David Hackworth in November 1965 to outguerrilla the guerrillas 43 Tiger Force Recon 1 327th was a highly decorated small unit in Vietnam and paid for its reputation with heavy casualties 44 In October 1968 Tiger Force s parent battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by President Lyndon B Johnson which included a mention of Tiger Force s service at Đắk To in June 1966 45 The unit was accused of committing multiple war crimes 46 Investigators concluded that many of the war crimes indeed took place 47 Despite this the Army decided not to pursue any prosecutions 48 By the end of the war Tiger Force had killed approximately 1 000 enemy soldiers 49 Lam Son 719 Edit In 1971 elements of the division supported Operation Lam Son 719 the South Vietnamese invasion of southern Laos but only aviation units actually entered Laos The division began withdrawing from South Vietnam on 15 May 1971 with the departure of the 3rd Battalion 506th Infantry 50 F 1 8 Most major units of the Division had redeployed by January 1972 50 F 1 22 In the seven years that all or part of the division served in Vietnam it suffered 4 011 killed and 18 259 wounded in action 51 The division during this time participated in 12 separate campaigns and 17 of the division s Medal of Honor recipients are from this period of time all this giving the 101st Airborne Division a combat record unmatched by any other division 39 Post Vietnam Edit An officer with the 101st Airborne Division wearing dark blue beret with 326th Engineer Battalion Beret Flash and Airmobile Badge 1977 In 1968 the 101st took on the structure and equipment of an airmobile division Following its return from Vietnam the division was rebuilt with one brigade 3d and supporting elements on jump status using the assets of what had been the 173rd Airborne Brigade The remaining two brigades and supporting units were organized as airmobile With the exception of certain specialized units such as the pathfinders and parachute riggers in early 1974 the Army terminated jump status for the division Concurrently the 101st introduced the Airmobile Badge renamed later that year as the Air Assault Badge the design of which was based on the Glider Badge of World War II Initially the badge was only authorized for wear while assigned to the division but in 1978 the Army authorized it for service wide wear Soldiers continued to wear the garrison cap with glider patch bloused boots and the cloth wing oval behind their wings as had division paratroopers before them A blue beret was authorized for the division in March or April 1974 and worn until revoked at the end of 1979 52 53 The division also was authorized to wear a full color white eagle shoulder patch insignia instead of the subdued green eagle shoulder patch that was worn as a combat patch by soldiers who fought with the 101st in Vietnam While serving with the 101st it was also acceptable to wear a non subdued patch as a combat patch a distinction shared with the 1st and 5th Infantry divisions citation needed A member of the 101st Airborne Division armed with an M60 machine gun participates in a field exercise in 1972 M16A1 rifle in background with each soldier wearing an M1 helmet In the late 1970s the division maintained one battalion on a rotating basis as the division ready force DRF The force was in place to respond to alerts for action anywhere in the world After alert notification troopers of the hot platoon company would be airborne wheels up within 30 minutes as the first responding unit All other companies of the battalion would follow within one hour Within 24 hours there would be one brigade deployed to the affected area with the remainder of the division deploying as needed In September 1980 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry 2nd Brigade took part in Operation Bright Star 80 an exercise deployment to Egypt In 1984 the command group formed a full time team the Screaming Eagles Command Parachute Demonstration Team 54 However the team traces its history to the late 1950s during the infancy of precision free fall On 12 December 1985 a civilian aircraft Arrow Air Flight 1285 chartered to transport some of the division from peacekeeping duty with the Multinational Force and Observers on the Sinai Peninsula to Kentucky crashed just a short distance from Gander International Airport Gander Newfoundland All eight air crew members and 248 US servicemen died most were from the 3d Battalion 502d Infantry Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board investigators were unable to determine the exact sequence of events which led to the accident but determined that the probable cause of the crash was the aircraft s unexpectedly high drag and reduced lift condition most likely due to ice contamination on the wings leading edges and upper surfaces as well as underestimated onboard weight 55 A minority report stated that the accident could have been caused by an onboard explosion of unknown origin prior to impact 56 57 At the time it was 17th most disastrous aviation accident in terms of fatalities President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy traveled to Fort Campbell to comfort grieving family members On 8 March 1988 two U S Army Blackhawk helicopters assigned to the 101st Aviation Brigade collided while on a night training mission at Fort Campbell All 17 soldiers aboard were killed 58 The dead included four helicopter crewmen and 13 members of the 502d Infantry Regiment The Army s accident investigation attributed the crash to pilot error aircraft design and the limited field of view afforded pilots using night vision goggles NVGs 59 Numerous improvements have been made in NVG technology since the accident occurred 60 Air assault operations Edit In 1974 the 101st Airborne was reorganized as an air assault division The foundation of modern day air assault operations was laid by the World War Two era German Fallschirmjager Brandenburgers and the 22nd Air Landing Division glider borne paras 61 62 In 1941 the U S Army quickly adopted this concept of offensive operations initially utilizing wooden gliders before the development of helicopters 63 Air Assault operations consist of highly mobile teams covering extensive distances and engaging enemy forces behind enemy lines and often by surprise as they are usually masked by darkness 6 63 The 101st Airborne had earned a place in the U S Army s AirLand Battle doctrine 6 63 This doctrine is based on belief that initiative depth agility and synchronization successfully complete a mission 6 63 First all soldiers are encouraged to take the initiative to seize and exploit opportunities to gain advantages over the enemy Second commanders are urged to utilize the entire depth of the battlefield and strike at rear targets that support frontline enemy troops Third agility requires commanders to strike the enemy quickly where most vulnerable and to respond to the enemy s strengths Fourth synchronization calls for the commander to maximize available combined arms firepower for critical targets to achieve the greatest effect 6 63 Organization 1989 Edit 101st Airborne Division 1989 click to enlarge At the end of the Cold War the division was organized as follows 101st Airborne Division Fort Campbell Kentucky 64 Headquarters amp Headquarters Company 1st Brigade Headquarters amp Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 327th Infantry 65 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry 66 3rd Battalion 327th Infantry 67 2nd Brigade Headquarters amp Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry 68 2nd Battalion 502nd Infantry 69 3rd Battalion 502nd Infantry 70 3rd Brigade Headquarters amp Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 187th Infantry 71 2nd Battalion 187th Infantry 72 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry 73 Aviation Brigade Headquarters amp Headquarters Company 2d Squadron 17th Cavalry Reconnaissance 74 75 1st Battalion 101st Aviation Attack 74 76 2d Battalion 101st Aviation Inactive between 16 November 1988 and 16 August 1991 74 77 3d Battalion 101st Aviation Attack 74 78 4th Battalion 101st Aviation Assault 74 79 5th Battalion 101st Aviation Assault 74 80 6th Battalion 101st Aviation General Support 74 81 7th Battalion 101st Aviation Medium Lift 74 82 9th Battalion 101st Aviation Assault constituted 16 December 1989 74 83 Division Artillery 84 85 86 Headquarters amp Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion 320th Field Artillery 18 M102 105mm towed howitzer 85 86 84 87 88 2d Battalion 320th Field Artillery 18 M102 105mm towed howitzer 85 86 84 89 87 3d Battalion 320th Field Artillery 18 M102 105mm towed howitzer 85 86 84 90 87 Battery C 5th Battalion 8th Field Artillery attached 18th Field Artillery Brigade M198 155mm towed howitzer unit 84 Division Support Command Headquarters amp Headquarters Company 326th Medical Battalion 426th Supply amp Transportation Battalion 74 801st Maintenance Battalion 8th Battalion 101st Aviation Maintenance 74 91 2nd Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery 92 326th Engineer Battalion 93 501st Signal Battalion 94 95 311th Military Intelligence Battalion 96 101st Military Police Company 63rd Chemical Company 97 101st Airborne Division Band 98 Gulf War Edit Main article Gulf War Ground operations during Operation Desert Storm with the 101st Airborne Division positioned at the left flank On 17 January 1991 the 101st Aviation Regiment fired the first shots of the war when eight AH 64 helicopters successfully destroyed two Iraqi early warning radar sites 6 85 In February 1991 the 101st once again had its Rendezvous with Destiny in Iraq during the combat air assault into enemy territory The 101st Airborne Division struck 155 miles 249 km behind enemy lines 6 85 It was the deepest air assault operation in history 99 Approximately 400 helicopters transported 2 000 soldiers into Iraq where they destroyed Iraqi columns trying to flee westward and prevented the escape of Iraqi forces 100 The Screaming Eagles would travel an additional 50 60 miles 80 97 km into Iraq 6 85 By nightfall the 101st had cut off Highway 8 which was a vital supply line running between Basra and the Iraqi forces 6 85 The 101st lost 16 soldiers in action during the 100 hour war and captured thousands of the enemy Humanitarian aid Edit The division has supported humanitarian relief efforts in Rwanda and Somalia then later supplied peacekeepers to Haiti and Bosnia Kosovo Edit This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed March 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message From February through August 2000 3rd Brigade 1 187 deployed to Kosovo for peacekeeping operations as part of Task Force Falcon in support of Operation Joint Guardian In August 2000 the 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment as well as some elements from the 502nd Infantry Regiment helped secure the peace in Kosovo and support the October elections for the formation of the new Kosovo government They were replaced in February 2001 with 2nd Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment along with 2nd Brigade HQ and elements of 3rd Battalion Montana forest fires Edit In September and October 2000 the 3rd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment helped fight fires on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana Designated Task Force Battle Force and commanded by Lt Col Jon S Lehr the battalion fought fires throughout the surrounding areas of their Valley Complex near Darby Montana 101 Operation Enduring Freedom Edit Main articles War in Afghanistan 2001 2021 and Operation Enduring Freedom The 101st Airborne Air Assault Division brigade performed counterinsurgency operations within Afghanistan consisting mostly of raids ambushes and patrolling The 101st also performed combat air assaults throughout the operation 99 The 2nd Brigade Strike built around the 502d Infantry was largely deployed to Kosovo on peacekeeping operations with some elements of 3rd Battalion 502nd deploying after 9 11 as a security element in the U S CENTCOM AOR with the Fort Campbell based 5th Special Forces Group They had been positioned in Jordan providing security for 5th SF Group s exercise prior to 9 11 The division quickly deployed its 3rd Brigade the 187th Infantry s Rakkasans as the first conventional unit to fight as part of Operation Enduring Freedom 102 After an intense period of combat in rugged Shoh I Khot Mountains of eastern Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda with elements of the 10th Mountain Division the Rakkasans redeployed to Fort Campbell only to find the 101st awaiting another deployment order In 2008 the 101st 4th BCT Red and White Currahee including the 1st and the 2nd Battalions 506th Infantry were deployed to Afghanistan Elements of 1st Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment participated in joint operations with U S Army Special Forces particularly in the Northern province of Kapisa in the outpost Forward Operating Base FOB Kutchsbach Charlie Company 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment performed joint operations with 5th Special Forces Group and 20th Special Forces Group in 2011 The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Afghanistan as Task Force Destiny in early 2008 to Bagram Air Base 159th Combat Aviation Brigade deployed as Task Force Thunder for 12 months in early 2009 and again in early 2011 103 In March 2010 the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed again to Afghanistan as Task Force Destiny to Kandahar Airfield to be the aviation asset in southern Afghanistan Operation Iraqi Freedom Edit Main article Iraq War The 3rd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment alongside Task Force 121 at Uday and Qusay Hussein s hideout In 2003 Major General David H Petraeus Eagle 6 led the Screaming Eagles to war during the 2003 invasion of Iraq Operation Iraqi Freedom General Petraeus led the division into Iraq saying Guidons Guidons This is Eagle 6 The 101st Airborne Division s next Rendezvous with Destiny is North to Baghdad Op Ord Desert Eagle 2 is now in effect Godspeed Air Assault Out 104 The division was in V Corps providing support to the 3rd Infantry Division by clearing Iraqi strongpoints which that division had bypassed 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry 3rd Brigade was attached to 3rd Infantry Division and was the main effort in clearing Saddam International Airport The division then served as part of the occupation forces of Iraq using the city of Mosul as their primary base of operations 1st and 2d Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment 1st Brigade oversaw the remote airfield Qayarrah West 30 miles 48 km south of Mosul The 502d Infantry Regiment 2d Brigade and 3d Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment were responsible for Mosul itself while the 187th Infantry Regiment 3d Brigade controlled Tal Afar just west of Mosul The 101st Airborne also participated in the Battle of Karbala The city had been bypassed during the advance on Baghdad leaving American units to clear it in two days of street fighting against Iraqi irregular forces The 101st Airborne was supported by the 2nd Battalion 70th Armor Regiment with Charlie Company 1st Battalion 41st Infantry Regiment 1st Armored Division 105 The 3d Battalion 502d Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division was awarded a Valorous Unit Award for their combat performance On the afternoon of 22 July 2003 troops of the 101st Airborne 3 327th Infantry HQ and C Company aided by U S Special Forces killed Qusay Hussein his 14 year old son Mustapha and his older brother Uday during a raid on a home in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul 106 After Task Force 121 members were wounded the 3 327th Infantry surrounded and fired on the house with a TOW missile Mark 19 Automatic Grenade Launcher M2 50 Caliber Machine guns and small arms After about four hours of battle the whole operation lasted 6 hours the soldiers entered the house and found four dead including the two brothers and their bodyguard There were reports that Qusay s 14 year old son Mustapha was the fourth body found Brig Gen Frank Helmick the assistant commander of 101st Airborne commented that all occupants of the house died during the fierce gun battle before U S troops entered 107 Once replaced by the first operational Stryker Brigade the 101st was withdrawn in early 2004 for rest and refit As part of the Army s modular transformation the existing infantry brigades artillery brigade and aviation brigades were transformed The Army also activated the 4th Brigade Combat Team which includes the 1st and 2nd Battalions 506th Infantry Regiment and subordinate units Both battalions were part of the 101st in Vietnam but saw their colors inactivated during an Army wide reflagging of combat battalions in the 1980s As of December 2007 143 members of the division have died while on service in Iraq 108 needs update Second deployment to Iraq Edit The division s second deployment to Iraq began in the late summer of 2005 The division headquarters replaced the 42d Infantry Division which had been directing security operations as the headquarters for Task Force Liberty Renamed Task Force Band of Brothers the 101st assumed responsibility on 1 November 2005 for four provinces in north central Iraq Salah ad Din As Sulymaniyah During the second deployment 2d and 4th Brigades of the 101st Airborne Division were assigned to conduct security operations under the command of Task Force Baghdad led initially by 3d Infantry Division which was replaced by 4th Infantry Division The 1st Battalion of the 506th Infantry 4th Brigade was separated from the division and served with the Marines in Ramadi in the Al Anbar province 3d Brigade was assigned to Salah ad Din and Bayji sectors and 1st Brigade was assigned to the overall Kirkuk province which included Hawijah Task Force Band of Brothers primary mission during its second deployment to Iraq was the training of Iraqi security forces When the 101st returned to Iraq there were no Iraqi units capable of assuming the lead for operations against Iraqi and foreign terrorists As the division concluded its tour 33 battalions were in the lead for security in assigned areas and two of four Iraq divisions in northern Iraq were commanding and controlling subordinate units Simultaneously with training Iraqi soldiers and their leaders 101st soldiers conducted numerous security operations against terrorist cells operating in the division s assigned six province area of operations Operation Swarmer was the largest air assault operation conducted in Iraq since 22 April 2003 1st Brigade conducted Operation Scorpion with Iraqi units near Kirkuk Developing other aspects of Iraqi society also figured in 101st operations in Iraq Division commander Major General Thomas Turner hosted the first governors conference for the six provinces in the division s area of operations as well as the neighboring province of Erbil 109 Return to Afghanistan Edit While the 1st 2nd and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams were deployed to Iraq 2007 2008 the division headquarters 4th Brigade Combat Team the 101st Sustainment Brigade and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade followed by the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade were deployed to Afghanistan for one year tours falling within the 2007 09 window 2010 Afghanistan Edit The Division Headquarters 101st Combat Aviation Brigade 1st Brigade Combat Team 2d Brigade Combat Team 3rd Brigade Combat Team and 4th Brigade Combat Team and the 101st Sustainment Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 This is the first time since returning from Iraq in 2006 where all four infantry brigades plus one CAB SUSBDE have served in the same combat theater On 15 September 2010 the 101st Airborne began a major operation known as Operation Dragon Strike The aim of the operation was to reclaim the strategic southern province of Kandahar which was the birthplace of the Taliban movement The area where the operation took place has been dubbed The Heart of Darkness by Coalition troops 110 By the end of December 2010 the operation s main objectives had been accomplished The majority of Taliban forces in Kandahar had withdrawn from the province 111 and much of their leadership was said to have been fractured 112 As of 5 June 2011 131 soldiers had been killed during this deployment the highest death toll to the 101st Airborne in any single deployment since the Vietnam War 113 2011 Afghanistan Edit U S Army soldiers with 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division return fire during a firefight with Taliban forces in Barawala Kalay Valley in Kunar province Afghanistan 31 March 2011 The 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division conducted a major combat operation in Barawala Kalay Valley Kunar Province Afghanistan in late March April 2011 It is known as the Battle of Barawala Kalay Valley It was an operation to close down the Taliban supply route through the Barawala Kalay Valley and to remove the forces of Taliban warlord Qari Ziaur Rahman from the Barwala Kalay Valley The 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division would suffer 6 killed and 7 wounded during combat operations It would inflict over 100 casualties on the Taliban and successfully close down the Taliban supply route 114 ABC News correspondent Mike Boettcher was on scene and he called it the fiercest fighting he has ever seen in his 30 years of being in war zones 115 Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom 166 101st Airborne soldiers have died while serving in Iraq 116 Operation United Assistance Edit In 2014 the 101st Airborne Division Headquarters deployed to west Africa to help contain the spread of Ebola as part of Operation United Assistance Earlier in April 2014 4th Brigade Combat Team had been inactivated as part of the Army s 2020 BCT restructuring program 117 5th Special Forces Group Edit In 2015 5th Special Forces Group held five training sessions with the 1st Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division 118 The classes covered communications and the operation of all terrain vehicles There was also a training session on the operation of TOW missiles 118 Prior to these sessions training between U S Special Forces and U S conventional forces had been uncommon 118 2016 Iraq Edit The U S Army sent 500 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault to Iraq and Kuwait in early 2016 to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces 7 In the recent conflicts the 101st Airborne has been increasingly involved conducting special operations especially the training and development of other states military and security forces and counter terrorism operations 119 This is known in the special operations community as foreign internal defense and counter terrorism It was announced 14 January 2016 that soldiers of the 101st Airborne would be assigned rotations in Iraq to train members of the Iraqi ground forces in preparation for action against the Islamic State 119 Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the 101st Airborne that The Iraqi and Peshmerga forces you will train advise and assist have proven their determination their resiliency and increasingly their capability 119 But they need you to continue building on that success preparing them for the fight today and the long hard fight for their future They need your skill They need your experience 119 In Spring 2016 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion 320th Field Artillery Regiment replaced a unit of the 26th MEU at Firebase Bell they used M777 155mm howitzers to provide support to Iraqi forces attacking IS occupied villages between Makhmour and Mosul 120 500 soldiers from the division s headquarters including its commander Major General Gary J Volesky and about 1 300 soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team also deployed to Iraq in the Spring 121 On 26 June 2016 it was announced that Iraq had successfully taken back full control of Fallujah from the Islamic State of Iraq ISIS 122 Iraqi ground troops have been under the direction of the 101st Airborne since early 2016 119 In summer 2016 Stars and Stripes reported that about 400 soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Iraq as part of 11 July 2016 announcement by Defense Secretary Ash Carter of the presidential approved deployment of an additional 560 U S troops to Iraq to help establish and run a logistics hub at Qayyarah Airfield West about 40 miles south Mosul to support Iraqi and coalition troops in the Battle of Mosul 121 On 26 August 2016 an article from the website War is Boring shows a photo of a 101st Airborne Division M777 howitzer crew conducting fire missions during an operation to support Iraqi forces at Kara Soar Base in Iraq on 7 August 2016 123 The article also confirms that American artillery has been supporting Iraqi forces during its campaign against ISIS 123 A trainer with Company A 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment Task Force Strike 101st Airborne Division assists Iraqi army ranger students during a room clearing drill at Camp Taji Iraq 18 July 2016 On 31 August 2016 Clarksville Online reported U S soldiers from the 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment Task Force Strike 101st Airborne Division Air Assault took charge of a Ranger training program for qualified volunteers from Iraqi security forces at Camp Taji Iraq The Ranger training program led by Company A 1 502nd is designed to lay the foundation for an elite Iraqi unit 124 On 21 September 2016 an article from The Leaf Chronicle reported that Battery C 1st Battalion 320th Field Artillery Regiment 2nd Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division had been successfully conducting artillery raids against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Battery C is said to have executed hundreds of missions and fired thousands of rounds in support of ISF operations since arriving in theatre in late May 125 On 17 October 2016 an article from The Leaf Chronicle stated that the 101st Airborne was leading a coalition of 19 nations to support the liberation of Mosul from ISIL Under the direction of the 101st Iraqi forces have taken back a significant amount of geography from the control of ISIS This included the liberation of Hit Fallujah and Qayyarah 126 On 3 November 2016 it was reported that U S Army combat engineers were seen just west of the Great Zab River about halfway between the Kurdish city of Irbil and Mosul They were searching for improvised bombs They were wearing 101st Airborne Division patches The soldiers said they were not allowed to talk to the media 127 On 17 November 2016 sources reported that the 101st Airborne Division was headed home after a nine month deployment to Iraq Over the course of nine months soldiers from the 101st Airborne helped train the Iraqi government s security forces They taught marksmanship basic battlefield medical care and ways to detect and disarm improvised explosive devices 128 The division helped authorize 6 900 strikes meant to destroy ISIS hideouts and staging areas 128 The 101st Airborne played a significant role in the liberation of several Iraqi cities during this deployment 128 Operation Freedom s Sentinel Edit On 6 September 2016 the U S Army announced it will deploy about 1 400 soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan in fall 2016 in support of Operation Freedom s Sentinel the U S counter terrorism operation against the remnants of al Qaeda ISIS K and other terror groups 129 as part of the War in Afghanistan 2001 2021 Senior leadership referred to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team as being exceptional 130 Brig Gen Scott Brower stated that the Rakkasans are trained well led and prepared to accomplish any mission given to them 130 During this deployment three Soldiers from 1 187 3rd Brigade Combat Team died as a result of an insider attack by an Afghan Soldier 131 Operation Inherent Resolve Edit In May 2016 the brigade deployed to advise and assist train and equip Iraqi security forces to fight the Islamic State of Iraq The 2nd Brigade also conducted precision surface to surface fires and supported a multitude of intelligence and logistical operations for coalition and Iraqi forces They also provided base security throughout more than 12 areas of operations The Brigade also aided in the clearance of ISIS from Fallujah the near elimination of suicide attacks in Baghdad and the introduction of improved tactics that liberated more than 100 towns and villages The 2nd Brigade also played a significant role in the liberation of Mosul 132 Somali Civil War 2009 present Edit In mid April 2017 it was reported that 40 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division were deployed to Somalia on 2 April 2017 to improve the capabilities of the Somali Army in combating Islamist militants AFRICOM stated that the troops will focus on bolstering the Somali army s logistics capabilities an AFRICOM spokesman said that This mission is not associated with teaching counterextremism tactics and that the Somali government requested the training 133 Operation Atlantic Resolve Edit In June 2022 Headquarters 101st Airborne Division Air Assault and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team rotated in to the U S Army V Corps mission to reinforce NATO s eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises with partners across the European continent in order to reassure allies and deter further Russian aggression during its invasion of Ukraine The 101st soldiers deploying to Mihail Kogălniceanu in June did not represent additional U S forces in Europe but are taking the place of soldiers assigned to 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters and the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division In all approximately 4700 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division are scheduled to deploy to locations across Europe 134 On 30 July 2022 the Headquarters 101st Airborne Division and 2nd Brigade Combat Team uncased their colors and conducted an air assault demonstration at the 57th Air Base Mihail Kogălniceanu together with the 9th Mechanized Brigade of the Romanian Armed Forces The event was attended by Maj Gen Joseph P McGee and the Prime Minister of Romania Nicolae Ciucă 135 136 Honors EditCampaign participation credit Edit World War I 2nd and 3rd Brigades only Hundred Days Offensive also known as the Battle of Saint Quentin or the Second Battle of the Somme Meuse Argonne Offensive Picardy 1918 World War II except 159th Aviation Brigade Normandy with arrowhead Rhineland with arrowhead Ardennes Alsace Central Europe Vietnam War Except 159th Aviation Brigade Defense 1st Brigade only Counteroffensive 1st Brigade only Counteroffensive Phase II 1st Brigade only Counteroffensive Phase III Tet Counteroffensive Counteroffensive Phase IV Counteroffensive Phase V Counteroffensive Phase VI Tet 1969 Counteroffensive Summer Fall 1969 Winter Spring 1970 Sanctuary Counteroffensive Counteroffensive Phase VII Consolidation I Consolidation II Southwest Asia Except 159th Aviation Brigade Defense of Saudi Arabia Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Haiti Afghanistan IraqDecorations Edit Presidential Unit Citation Army for NORMANDY Division and 1st Brigade only Presidential Unit Citation Army for BASTOGNE Division and 1st Brigade only Presidential Unit Citation Army for DAK TO VIETNAM 1966 1st Brigade only Presidential Unit Citation Army for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN 3rd Brigade only Presidential Unit Citation Army for AFGHANISTAN 2010 2011 2nd Brigade only Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for Afghanistan 2008 2009 5 101 AVN only Joint Meritorious Unit Award for Haiti Operation Uphold Democracy 101st MP CO only Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE 3rd Brigade and DIVARTY only Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA 1st Brigade only Valorous Unit Award for AN NAJAF 1st Brigade only Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010 3rd Brigade only Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010 2011 2nd Brigade only Navy Marine Unit Commendation Army for Iraq 2005 2006 4th Brigade only Meritorious Unit Commendation Army for VIETNAM 1965 1966 1st Brigade only Meritorious Unit Commendation Army for VIETNAM 1968 3rd Brigade only Meritorious Unit Commendation Army for SOUTHWEST ASIA Except 159th Aviation Brigade Meritorious Unit Commendation Army for Iraq 2003 2004 Division Meritorious Unit Commendation Army for IRAQ 2003 2004 1st Brigade only Meritorious Unit Commendation Army for IRAQ 2005 2006 4th Brigade only French Croix de guerre with Palm World War II for NORMANDY Division and 1st Brigade only Belgian Croix de guerre 1940 with Palm for BASTOGNE Division and 1st Brigade only Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at BASTOGNE Division and 1st Brigade only Belgian Fourragere 1944 Division and 1st Brigade Only Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in FRANCE AND BELGIUM Division and 1st Brigade only Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966 1967 1st Brigade only Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 2d Brigade only Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 1969 Except 159th Aviation Brigade Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971 Except 159th Aviation Brigade Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal First Class for VIETNAM 1968 1970 Except 159th Aviation Brigade Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal First Class for VIETNAM 1970 DIVARTY only Notable members EditThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources 101st Airborne Division news newspapers books scholar JSTOR November 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Naser Jason Abdo convicted on charges related to an attempted attack on Ft Hood soldiers while AWOL Ed Austin Florida politician and lawyer Frank K Berry chess administrator and FIDE arbiter Joseph Beyrle the only American soldier to have served with both the United States Army and the Soviet Army in World War II John R Block Secretary of Agriculture under Ronald Reagan Allen M Burdett Jr He served as the Assistant Division Commander from 1968 to 1969 Donald Burgett author of four books on his experiences as a paratrooper during World War II Richard Chaves American actor born in 1951 Blake Clark American actor Bryan Isaack Clyde attempted mass shooter Robert G Cole World War II Medal of Honor recipient Tom Cotton Arkansas politician current junior U S Senator from Arkansas Randy Couture MMA fighter and coach Fred Dailey Ohio politician Mark Esper 27th United States Secretary of Defense Sam Gibbons Florida politician Eugene Goodman Capitol Police officer and acting Deputy Senate Sergeant at Arms Bob Gunton actor David Hackworth writer Jimi Hendrix musician Bob Kalsu University of Oklahoma and Buffalo Bills guard Killed in action FSB Ripchord South Vietnam Bronze Star Mike Lebowitz attorney pioneer in field of military expression military law He served in Iraq with Pathfinder Company of 101st Airborne Division William C Lee General World War II veteran considered one of the most important influences behind the establishment of U S airborne troops Joe E Mann World War II Medal of Honor recipient Salve H Matheson U S Army general including command of 1st Brigade and later the Division James C McConville General 40th Chief of Staff of the Army Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault from 2011 to 2014 and Combined Joint Task Force 101 Operation Enduring Freedom Tommy Mercer professional wrestler currently signed to TNA Wrestling under the name Crimson Hugh Nibley scholar and an apologist of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Jorge Otero Barreto He received 3 Silver Stars and 5 Purple Hearts in Vietnam David H Petraeus General He commanded 101st Airborne Division in 2003 during V Corp s drive to Baghdad and 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment Iron Rakkasans of the 101st Airborne Division from 1991 to 1993 Colin L Powell General Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 1989 1993 He commanded 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division in 1976 Leslie H Sabo Jr Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Joseph F Sackett radiologist and professor of neuroradiology Company Commander 326 Med Battalion Charlie Sayles Chicago blues harmonicist singer and songwriter 137 138 Louis Simpson poet who won the 1964 Pulitzer Prize for poetry with his collected works At the End of the Open Road Robert Sink He commanded the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division He was played by Dale Dye in the mini series Band of Brothers Jack Warden actor who served with the 501st Infantry in That Kind of Woman Warden played a paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division 139 140 Ernie Wheelwright American football player actor and singer 141 Dan White San Francisco supervisor who assassinated San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk on Monday 27 November 1978 Jesse White Illinois politician Barry Winchell Kansas City soldier who was brutally murdered by two of his fellow soldiers His story at Fort Campbell has become a landmark in the debate about the Don t ask don t tell policy Richard Winters Major World War II veteran portrayed by Damian Lewis in the TV series Band of BrothersCurrent structure Edit 101st Airborne Division organization 2021 101st Airborne Division consists of a division headquarters and headquarters battalion three infantry brigade combat teams a division artillery a combat aviation brigade a sustainment brigade as well as several attached units The division s artillery headquarters no longer has direct control over the 101st field artillery battalions which are now included in the three infantry brigade combat teams but does have supervision over one air defense artillery battalion aligned to the division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Gladiators Headquarters and Support Company Signal Intelligence and Sustainment Company Never Quit 40th Public Affairs Detachment The Professionals 101st Airborne Division Band1st Brigade Combat Team BCT Bastogne 142 Headquarters and Headquarters Company HHC 1st Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment Bulldogs 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment No Slack 1st Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment Red Currahee 1st Squadron 32d Cavalry Regiment Bandits 2nd Battalion 32nd Field Artillery Regiment FAR Proud Americans 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion BEB Sapper Eagles 426th Brigade Support Battalion BSB Taskmasters 2nd BCT Strike HHC 143 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment First Strike 2nd Battalion 502d Infantry Regiment Strike Force 1st Battalion 26th Infantry Regiment Blue Spaders 1st Squadron 75th Cavalry Regiment Widowmakers 1st Battalion 320th FAR Top Guns 39th BEB Raptor 526th BSB Best by Performance 3rd BCT Rakkasan HHC 144 1st Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment Leader Rakkasans 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment Iron Rakkasans 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment White Currahee 1st Squadron 33rd Cavalry Regiment War Rakkasans 3rd Battalion 320th FAR Red Knights 21st BEB Rak Solid 626th BSB Assurgam 101st Airborne Division Artillery Guns of Glory Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Headhunters Note The 2nd Battalion 32rd FAR 1st Battalion 320th FAR and 3rd Battalion 320th FAR now fall under their respective brigade combat teams and are no longer controlled by DIVARTY Note The 2nd Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment currently falls under the DIVARTY s supervision Combat Aviation Brigade 101st Airborne Division CAB Wings of Destiny HHC Hell Cats 2nd Squadron 17th Cavalry Regiment Out Front 1st Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment Expect No Mercy 5th Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment Eagle Assault 6th Battalion 101st Aviation Regiment General Support Shadow of the Eagle 96th Aviation Support Battalion Troubleshooters Note Concurrent with the inactivation of the 159th CAB in 2015 the 101st CAB was redesignated as the Combat Aviation Brigade 101st Airborne Division bringing it in line with other divisional CAB designations Also the inactivation of the 159th CAB also led to the 101st Airborne Division taking on the same configuration as other light infantry divisions of the U S Army 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade Life Liners 145 Special Troops Battalion Sustainers 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Drive the Wedge Attached units 716th Military Police Battalion Peacekeepers 16th Military Police Brigade 2nd Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade 1176th Transportation Company TN ARNG associated unit 146 2123rd Transportation Company KY ARNG associated unit 146 See also Edit World War II portalList of commanders of 101st Airborne Division List of formations of the United States Army Gander memorial Battleground a 1949 movie that followed the 327th Glider Infantry A Bridge Too Far a 1977 movie featuring the 101st Airborne Saving Private Ryan a 1998 movie whose title character is a soldier in the 101st Airborne division Band of Brothers a 2001 TV series dramatizing the exploits of Easy Company 2nd Battalion 506th PIR 101st Airborne Division in the Second World War in Europe from Operation Overlord through V E Day based on the book Band of Brothers by Stephen E Ambrose I Am an American Soldier a 2007 documentary movie that followed C co 3 BCT during its tour of duty in Iraq in 2006 Notes Edit Lt Col William L Turner Colorado Col Turner was killed in action the next day Lt Col Robert C Carroll 1 501 Lt Col Robert L Wolverton 3 506th and Major George S Grant 3 506 Col Johnson was killed in action in the Netherlands on 8 October 1944 Patch became acting commander of the 1st Battalion on 7 June and later commanded the 3 506 as a lieutenant colonel Both Patch and Raudstein were awarded the DSC CCB consisted of the 3rd Tank Battalion 20th Armored Infantry Battalion C Company 21st Tank Battalion B Company 54th Armored Infantry Battalion C Company 609th Tank Destroyer Battalion 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and three companies of support troops Nuts can mean several things in American English slang In this case however it signified rejection and was explained to the Germans as meaning Go to Hell References Edit Special Unit Designations history army mil United States Army Center of Military History 21 April 2010 Archived from the original on 12 May 2009 Retrieved 9 July 2010 Sof Eric The 101st Airborne The Only Unit in the World That Can Do This special ops org Archived from the original on 12 June 2018 Retrieved 23 June 2017 a b c After Almost 5 Years Army s 101st Airborne Will Return to Full Air Assault Power Military com by Matthew Cox dated 16 October 2019 last accessed 24 December 2020 101st Airborne Division conducts brigade air assault The United States Army Retrieved 15 January 2017 Russ amp Susan Bryant P 63 a b c d e f g h i Bryant Russ Bryant Susan 2007 Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division MBI Publishing Company ISBN 9780760331224 a b Block Gordon 6 November 2015 Army to Deploy 101st Airborne Soldiers to Oversee Iraqi Army Training Military com Retrieved 27 August 2016 Dickstein Corey Carter to Army s 101st You will prepare Iraqis to retake Mosul Stripes com Retrieved 27 August 2016 Bull Gregory 6 September 2016 Army to Deploy 101st Airborne Soldiers to Afghanistan Military com Retrieved 15 January 2017 Ingersoll Stephanie Five historical things to know about 101st on its anniversary Army mil Retrieved 14 August 2020 CNN com Transcripts transcripts cnn com Defence News GATES PRAISES 101ST AIRBORNE AS TIP OF THE SPEAR Defencenews online com 8 December 2010 Archived from the original on 9 July 2019 Retrieved 27 February 2017 Kelly Jack 15 February 2002 Reconfigure Army divisions to make military stronger The Baltimore Sun Retrieved 27 August 2016 a b c d e f Lineage and Honors Information Divisions U S Army Center of Military History Archived from the original on 1 October 2018 Retrieved 14 March 2012 U S Army Divisions in the ETO U S Army Center of Military History Archived from the original on 1 October 2018 Retrieved 14 March 2012 The US Army Order of Battle from 1919 1941 p278 PDF usacac army mil US Army Official Website of Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault campbell army mil U S Army Archived from the original on 10 November 2015 Retrieved 11 November 2015 Lee William C 2006 1945 Phillips David J ed The Epic of the 101st Airborne A Pictorial Biography of the United States 101st Airborne Division army mil Division Public Relations Office Retrieved 3 June 2012 82nd and 101st Divisions on D Day warchronicle com Archived from the original on 18 May 2015 Retrieved 23 February 2016 a b Guard Julie 2007 Airborne World War II Paratroopers in Combat New York Osprey Publishing p 184 ISBN 978 1 84603 196 0 The Airborne Assault Utah Beach to Cherbourg history army mil American Forces in Action Series United States Army Center of Military History CMH Pub 100 12 Archived from the original on 16 September 2009 Retrieved 5 July 2007 Wright Robert K John T Greenwood 2007 Airborne Forces at War From Parachute Test Platoon to the 21st Century Naval Institute Press p 62 ISBN 978 1 59114 028 3 a b Gill Ronald Groves John 2006 1946 Club Route in Europe The History of 30 Corps from D Day to May 1945 MLRS Books ISBN 978 1 905696 24 6 Randall p 33 Battle of the Bulge Archived from the original on 23 February 2010 Retrieved 5 September 2009 KILLBLANE RE A Christmas Present for BASTOGNE World War II World War II US 18 3 36 44 Sept 2003 ISSN 0898 4204 Marshall p 177 O Donnell Patrick NUTS Revisited Archived from the original on 8 March 2009 Retrieved 5 September 2009 Bando P 188 Battle of Bastogne Facts World War 2 Facts Retrieved 16 December 2013 The 101st Airborne Division Holocaust Encyclopedia United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Retrieved 28 August 2016 Order of Battle of the US Army WWII ETO 101st Airborne Division US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 23 May 2020 a b c d e Army Battle Casualties and Nonbattle Deaths Final Report Statistical and Accounting Branch Office of the Adjutant General 1 June 1953 101st Airborne Division US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 May 2020 Milzarski Eric 21 December 2021 This is why Screaming Eagles wear cards on their helmets WeAreTheMighty Archived from the original on 22 December 2021 Retrieved 18 August 2022 508th Airborne Chapter Regt History Red devils org Archived from the original on 30 March 2013 Retrieved 24 June 2013 Osro Cobb Osro Cobb of Arkansas Memoirs of Historical Significance Carol Griffee ed Little Rock Arkansas Rose Publishing Company 1989 p 238 a b c Stanton Shelby 2003 Vietnam Order of Battle Stackpole Books p 85 ISBN 9780811700719 a b 101st combat record in Vietnam unmatched Commentary Fortcampbellcourier com 21 January 2010 Archived from the original on 2 October 2018 Retrieved 27 August 2016 The 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam 101st Airborne Division Vietnam Veterans Organization Retrieved 27 August 2016 p 33 Rottman Gordon L US Army Long Range Patrol Scout in Vietnam 1965 71 Osprey Publishing 2008 Sallah and Weiss Tiger Force 22 23 Sallah and Weiss Tiger Force 13 14 23 224 The Blade Toledoblade com Archived from the original on 7 January 2010 Retrieved 27 August 2016 1 dead link Sallah and Weiss Tiger Force 335 339 346 350 352 354 355 359 361 362 367 369 374 375 376 Sallah and Weiss Tiger Force 383 Sallah and Weiss Tiger Force 306 Vietnam war crimes Socialistworker org 14 November 2003 Retrieved 27 August 2016 a b Headquarters MACV Command History 1971 Volume II PDF Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam 1971 Retrieved 7 June 2020 This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Sharpe amp Dunstan p 90 All American Legacy Podcast Ep 25 The French Hat 82nd Airborne Division Official YouTube Channel dated 26 June 2017 last accessed 24 March 2020 On episode 25 of the All American Legacy Podcast we mention the blue beret of the 101st Airborne Division in the 1970s Well here is the proof 82nd Airborne Division official Facebook page dated 28 June 2017 last accessed 23 March 2020 Screaming Eagles Parachute Demonstration Team Archived from the original on 12 February 2011 Retrieved 23 March 2011 Aviation Occurrence Report Arrow Air Inc Douglas DC 8 63 N950JW Gander International Airport Newfoundland 12 December 1985 PDF Canadian Aviation Safety Board 14 November 1988 Retrieved 1 July 2021 Dissenting Opinion Arrow Air Inc Douglas DC 8 63 N950JW Gander International Airport Newfoundland 12 December 1985 PDF Canadian Aviation Safety Board 14 November 1988 Retrieved 11 September 2017 Dissenting Opinion Arrow Air Inc Douglas DC 8 63 N950JW Gander International Airport Newfoundland 12 December 1985 Canadian Aviation Safety Board 14 November 1988 Retrieved 1 July 2021 17 Die in Collision of Army Copters The New York Times 10 March 1988 Retrieved 24 May 2014 Pilot Error Design Cited in Air Crash Inquirer Wire Services Retrieved 24 May 2014 Schmickley Dennis 2001 Chapter 7 Night Vision Goggles The Avionics Handbook PDF CRC Press LLC Warrior Training Center Air Assault School Handbook PDF Army National Guard Warrior Training Center 2013 Retrieved 23 April 2022 failed verification Ailsby P 18 19 91 Warrior Training Center Air Assault School Handbook PDF Southeast Missouri State University Retrieved 25 March 2017 Gordon L Rottmen Inside the US Army Today Osprey Publishing 1988 1st Battalion 327th Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 3rd Battalion 327th Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 2nd Battalion 502nd Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 3rd Battalion 502nd Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 1st Battalion 187th Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 2nd Battalion 187th Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 3rd Battalion 187th Infantry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k Organ David 15 December 2009 The Logistics of the 101st Airborne Division in the First Gulf War Retrieved 17 June 2020 2nd Squadron 17th Cavalry Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 1st Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 2nd Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 3rd Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 4th Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 5th Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 6th Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 7th Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 9th Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 a b c d e Field Artillery February 1990 US Army Field Artillery School 1990 Retrieved 27 June 2020 a b c d Field Artillery February 1987 US Army Field Artillery School 1987 Retrieved 27 June 2020 a b c d Field Artillery December 1989 US Army Field Artillery School 1988 Retrieved 27 June 2020 a b c McKenney Janice E Field Artillery Army Lineage Series Part 2 PDF US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 1st Battalion 320th Field Artillery Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 26 June 2020 2nd Battalion 320th Field Artillery Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 26 June 2020 3rd Battalion 320th Field Artillery Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 26 June 2020 8th Battalion 101st Aviation Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 2nd Battalion 44th Air Defense Artillery Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 326th Engineer Battalion Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 26 June 2020 Raines Rebecca Robbins Signal Corps PDF US Army Center of Military History Archived from the original PDF on 29 August 2017 Retrieved 27 June 2020 501st Signal Battalion Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 26 June 2020 311th Military Intelligence Battalion Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 63rd Chemical Company Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 101st Airborne Division Band Lineage US Army Center of Military History Retrieved 27 June 2020 a b Screaming Eagles of 101st have valiant history CNN 7 February 2003 Retrieved 15 January 2017 Anderson P 8 Military Support in Wildland Fire Suppression 1988 2003 National Interagency Fire Center Archived from the original on 8 June 2007 Retrieved 25 March 2017 Gonzales Daniel Hollywood John S Sollinger Jerry M McFadden James DeJarnette John Harting Sarah Temple Donald 15 October 2007 Networked forces in stability operations 101st Airborne Division 3 2 and 1 25 Stryker brigades in northern Iraq RAND Corporation Retrieved 28 June 2011 Carl Stephanie L 23 February 2011 Task Force Thunder rolls into Afghanistan US Army Retrieved 24 September 2012 Broadwell Paula Vernon Loeb 24 January 2012 All In The Education of General David Petraeus Penguin p 147 ISBN 978 1 101 55230 8 Retrieved 31 October 2012 2nd BATTALION 70th ARMOR IRON TIGERS Home Irontigers org Retrieved 27 August 2016 Neil MacFarquhar 23 July 2003 After the war Hussein s 2 Sons Dead in Shootout U S Says The New York Times Raghavan Sudarsan Miller Greg 22 July 2003 Washington Post article The Washington Post Archived from the original on 9 March 2010 Retrieved 21 August 2012 Iraq Coalition Casualties U S Fatalities By Divisions iCasualties org Archived from the original on 9 January 2008 Retrieved 25 March 2017 Iraq s new ambassador addresses Washington Operation Iraqi Freedom website 13 April 2006 Archived from the original on 12 January 2007 Retrieved 21 May 2007 Hastings Deborah 27 September 2010 Operation Dragon Strike Battle for Kandahar Begins AOL News Archived from the original on 4 October 2012 Retrieved 25 March 2017 Gall Carlotta Khapalwak Ruhullah 15 December 2010 NATO Push Deals Taliban a Setback in Kandahar The New York Times Archived from the original on 27 November 2011 Retrieved 25 March 2017 Jon Boone Afghan Taliban leadership splintered by intense US military campaign The Guardian Retrieved 27 February 2017 Hall Kristin M 5 June 2011 Army s 101st pays high price for Afghan surge year Associated Press Archived from the original on 10 June 2011 Retrieved 1 December 2015 No Slack Battalion in Barawala Kalay longwarjournal org Retrieved 1 June 2016 The 101st Airborne Takes on the Taliban ABC News 4 April 2011 Retrieved 1 June 2016 Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom Listed by base Fallenheroesmemorial com Retrieved 27 August 2016 Moeller Justin A 1 May 2014 Storied Currahees prepare to inactivate US Army Archived from the original on 16 December 2021 Retrieved 18 August 2022 a b c Mahaffey Jacob 23 January 2015 SF Bastogne Soldiers combine forces for training Release Number 150123 01 United States Army Special Operations Command Archived from the original on 22 September 2016 Retrieved 25 March 2017 a b c d e Carter to Army s 101st You will prepare Iraqis to retake Mosul Stars and Stripes Apache helicopters used for first time against Islamic State in Iraq stars and stripes 14 June 2016 a b 101st Airborne soldiers tapped to fight Islamic State group stars and stripes 5 August 2016 Al Fadel 26 June 2016 Iraq takes full control of Fallujah from Islamic State military says Duluth News Tribune Retrieved 27 August 2016 a b American Artillery is Pounding Islamic State in Iraq and Syria 26 August 2016 101st Airborne Soldiers build elite Iraqi force with Ranger Training Clarksville TN Online Clarksvilleonline com 31 August 2016 Retrieved 15 January 2017 101st Airborne soldiers thrive in battle on Iraq front lines Theleafchronicle com 21 September 2016 Retrieved 15 January 2017 101st Airborne leading coalition in Mosul fight against ISIL Theleafchronicle com 17 October 2016 Retrieved 15 January 2017 Abdul Qassim 3 November 2016 Army to Deploy 1 700 Paratroopers to Iraq Military com Retrieved 27 February 2017 a b c 101st Airborne Makes Handoff in Iraq During Mosul Offensive Nashville Public Radio 13 January 2016 Archived from the original on 3 January 2017 Retrieved 15 January 2017 Army to Deploy 101st Airborne Soldiers to Afghanistan military com 6 September 2016 a b Abdul Qassim 6 September 2016 Army to Deploy 101st Airborne Soldiers to Afghanistan Military com Retrieved 27 February 2017 Park Madison 13 June 2017 5 children lost their dads in an attack that killed 3 US soldiers CNN CNN Retrieved 26 November 2017 Stoffregen Samantha 23 February 2018 101st Airborne Division s Strike Brigade receives Operation Inherent Resolve streamer following Iraq deployment Clarksville Online Clarksville TN Online Retrieved 7 June 2018 101st Airborne troops deploy to Somalia for training mission Stars and Stripes 14 April 2017 Archived from the original on 19 April 2017 Retrieved 18 April 2017 101st Airborne Division arrives in Europe to support NATO Allies www army mil 29 June 2022 Retrieved 6 July 2022 After 80 years the Screaming Eagles return to Europe www army mil 30 July 2022 Retrieved 10 August 2022 CEREMONY AND COMBINED DEMONSTRATIVE EXERCISE CONDUCTED BY US ARMY EUROPE DEPLOYED TO ROMANIA Ministerul Apărării Naționale 26 July 2022 Retrieved 10 August 2022 Charlie Sayles Raw Harmonica Genius Americannluesscene com 24 April 2020 Retrieved 22 November 2022 Marty Gunther 7 November 2015 Charlie Sayles And The Blues Disciples Album Review bluesblastmagazine com Shampoo star Jack Warden dies at 85 Today com 21 July 2006 Nelson Valerie J 22 July 2006 Jack Warden 85 Prolific Film TV Actor Los Angeles Times Retrieved 12 October 2008 Sports Illustrated Readers letter 15 June 1970 Headquarters 1st Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division Headquarters 2d Brigade Combat Team 101st Airborne Division Lineage and Honors U S Army Center of Military History CMH HEADQUARTERS 3d BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION U S Army Center of Military History Lineage and Honors Information 101st Sustainment Brigade Lifeliners Archived 28 September 2018 at the Wayback Machine campbell army mil last accessed 18 December 2016 a b Tennessee and Kentucky National Guard Soldiers don 101st Airborne Division patch www army mil Further reading EditScreaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division by Russ amp Susan Bryant Burns Richard R Pathfinder First In Last Out New York Ballantine Books 2002 ISBN 0804116024 101st Airborne in Vietnam The Screaming Eagles by Michael Sharpe amp Simon Dunstan Blackmon Jimmy Pale Horse Hunting Terrorists and Commanding Heroes with the 101st Airborne Division New York 2016 Screaming Eagles The 101st Airborne Division from D Day to Desert Storm by Christopher J Anderson Ailsby Christopher 2000 Hitler s Sky Warriors German Paratroopers in Action 1939 1945 Staplehurst UK Spellmount Limited ISBN 1 86227 109 7 External links Edit Media related to 101st Airborne Division at Wikimedia Commons Wikiquote has quotations related to 101st Airborne Division Website of Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault United States Army website Army mil 101stAirborne 101st Airborne Division Association STRIKE on The Military Channel s Warrior POV Screaming Eagles in Afghanistan YouTube Preceded by1st Infantry Division Regional Command East2013 Current Succeeded by10th Mountain DivisionPreceded by82nd Airborne Division Regional Command East2010 2011 Succeeded by1st Cavalry Division Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 101st Airborne Division amp oldid 1142712470, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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