1/509TH AIRBORNE

Ft. Polk, Louisiana
Any cache will be ok as long as I don't stay too long, ultimate goal is to travel to Vicenza, Italy and back home. I would also like to visit with the current paratroopers of the 509th in either Iraq or Fort Polk, Louisiana. This may also be my quickest ride to Italy!

A tribute to the paratroopers of the 1st Battalion 509th Airborne Infantry (ABCT), my first active duty unit but the unit was stationed in Vicenza, Italy in 1978…GERONIMO!!!!.

With WW II, the US saw a need for highly mobile units that could quickly insert into the theater of battle. At Fort Benning, Georgia a group of volunteers began jumping out of perfectly good aircraft and thus was born the American Paratroopers. In 1941, Company A, 504th Parachute Battalion was constituted and in 1942 the 504th moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The 503rd and 504th joined together to form the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, with the 504th being renamed Company D, 503rd Parachute Infantry. The 503rd was the first American parachute unit to go overseas. While staging for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, it was reorganized and re-designated as Company D, 509th Parachute Infantry.

The 509th spearheaded the Allied invasion of North Africa and conducted combined operations with various French forces. One unit, the 3rd Regiment of Zouaves, awarded their own Regimental Crest as a gesture of respect to the American Paratroopers and is still worn today by the 509th.

Next came Italy, the 509th was assigned the mission of cutting enemy supply lines behind the German defensive positions (a trait that paratroopers are well know for). They also operated with Darby' s Rangers and at Anzio, the 509th was in the first assault wave of the invasion force. During this action the 509th was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the first parachute unit so honored and had the first paratrooper ever to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. Next came France and in December 1944 the 509th was attached to the 101st Airborne Division just in time for the Battle of the Bulge. Next was Belgium and a battle that left only seven officers and forty-eight enlisted men in the entire battalion.

Awards presented to 1st Battalion (ABN), 509th Infantry: Two Presidential Unit Citation (Army), French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, Citation in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in Ardennes; Citation in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in St. Vith and the Insignia of the French 3d Zouaves Regiment.

Highlights of the 1st-509th First airborne unit to deploy overseas arriving in Land's End, England on 10 June 1942. Executed the lowest altitude mass parachute jump in history exiting the aircraft a 143 feet in England during June 1942 rehearsals. Initially awarded the "right" to wear Red Berets by Major General Sir Frederick A.M. Browning, Commander, 1st British Airborne, who made the 509th honorary "Red Devils." Performed America's first combat parachute insertion on 8 November 1942 following the longest combat invasion in history of 1600 miles from England to North Africa. Conducted five combat jumps during World War II: three into North Africa, one into Italy and one into Southern France. Led amphibious invasion with Darby's Rangers at Anzio, Italy on 22 January 1944, and subsequently participated in a successful Allied campaign that lasted 70 days. First Airborne unit awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, 29 February 1942. Also awarded another Presidential Unit Citation in 1945. Paul B. Huff, a member of the 509th, was the first American Paratrooper awarded the Medal of Honor on 29 February 1944 at Anzio, Italy. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Five members selected to serve as Pathfinders for the 101st Airborne Division during the Gulf War. Their helicopter was shot down during a search and rescue mission. Two were KIA and one became a POW.

This is a brief history of the unit, if you want to read more go to one of the links below:

http://www.jrtc-polk.army.mil/OPFOR/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/509th_Parachute_Infantry_Regiment

To learn more about their unit insignia go to:
http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Inf/509th%20Infantry%20Regiment.htm