On August 16 1940 at Fort Benning GA the US Army started it’s Airborne Infantry program. It established the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon, which began that first series of test jumps and eventually grew to 5 full Parachute Infantry divisions, the 82nd and 101st being the first two, followed by the 11th, 13th and 17th. In 2001, President George W. Bush established National Airborne Day to commemorate the Test Platoon’s foundational efforts
The 82nd was the first to experience combat, with jumps in Sicily and Italy, the 101st first saw combat in Normandy, as a part of Operation Overlord. The 11th saw limited combat in Germany towards the end of the war, while the 13th made combat jumps in the Philippines in the Pacific. The 17th, while deployed to Europe, was held as a strategic reserve and never saw actual combat.
Today, there are two Airborne divisions, the 82nd and the newly reactivated 11th. The 101st is an air assault division, and has been since a reorganization in 1968, though it retains the airborne tab and other airborne regalia.
The Airborne Creed
I am an Airborne trooper! I jump by parachute from any plane in flight. I volunteered to do it, knowing full well the hazards of my choice.
I serve in a mighty Airborne Force – famed for deeds in War – renowned for readiness in peace. It is my pledge to uphold its honor and prestige in all that I am – in all I do.
I am an elite trooper – a sky trooper – a spearhead trooper.
I blaze the way to far flung goals – behind, before, above my country’s enemy’s front lines.
I know that someday I may have to fight without support for days on end. Therefore, I keep my mind and body always fit to do my part in any Airborne mission. I am self reliant and unafraid. I shoot true, and march fast and far. I fight hard and will excel in everything I do just in case of war.
I will never fail a fellow paratrooper. I cherish the sacred trust and the lives of men with whom I serve. Leaders have my fullest loyalty, and those who I lead will never, never find me lacking.
I have pride in being Airborne! I will never let it down! In peace, I do not shrink from the dullest duty nor protest the toughest training. My weapon and equipment will always be combat ready. I will be neatly dressed, show courtesy and watch my behavior in a proper Airborne military manner
In battle, I fear no enemy’s ability, nor underestimate his ability, power or threats. I will fight him with all my might and skills – staying alert to avoid traps and try to escape if I should ever be captured. I will never surrender while I still have the means to fight, though I may be the last paratrooper.
My goal in peace and war is to succeed in any mission of the day or night, even though I may die doing so. For I belong to a proud and glorious team…
The AIRBORNE, the ARMY, my Country – the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I am its chosen few, I volunteer to fight where others may not want to go or serve.
I am a trooper of the sky! I am my Nation’s best! In peace and war I will never fail, Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere…I am Airborne!
I volunteered as a parachutist, fully realizing the hazard of my chosen service and by my thoughts and actions will always uphold the prestige, honor and high esprit-de-corps of parachute troops.
I realize that a parachutist is not merely a Soldier who arrives by parachute to fight, but is an elite shock trooper and that his country expects him to march farther and faster, to fight harder, and to be more self-reliant than any other Soldier. Parachutists of all allied armies belong to this great brotherhood.
I shall never fail my fellow comrades by shirking any duty or training, but will always keep myself mentally and physically fit and shoulder my full share of the task, whatever it may be.
I shall always accord my superiors fullest loyalty and I will always bear in mind the sacred trust I have in the lives of the men I will accompany into battle.
I shall show other Soldiers by my military courtesy, neatness of dress and care of my weapons and equipment that I am a picked and well trained Soldier.
I shall endeavor always to reflect the high standards of training and morale of parachute troops.
I shall respect the abilities of my enemies, I will fight fairly and with all my might, surrender is not in my creed.
I shall display a high degree of initiative and will fight on to my objective and mission, though I be the lone survivor.
I shall prove my ability as a fighting man against the enemy on the field of battle, not by quarreling with my comrades in arms or by bragging about my deeds.
I shall always realize that battles are won by an army fighting as a team, that I fight first and blaze the path into battle for others to follow and to carry the battle on.
I belong to the finest unit in the world. By my actions and deeds alone, I speak for my fighting ability. I will strive to uphold the honor and prestige of my outfit, making my country proud of me and of the unit to which I belong.