101st Airborne Division

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U.S. Infantry Divisions (1939 - Present)
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The 101st Airborne Division — the "Screaming Eagles"— is a U.S. Army modular infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for action during the Normandy Landings and in the Battle of the Bulge. During the Vietnam War, the 101st Airborne Division was redesignated first an airmobile division, then later as an air assault division. For historical reasons, it retains the "Airborne" tab identifier, yet does not conduct parachute operations at a division level. Many modern members of the 101st are graduates of the U.S. Army Air Assault School, and wear the Air Assault Badge, but it is not prerequisite for assignment to the division. The division's headquarters are at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the only U.S. Army division with two aviation brigades. It is one of the most decorated divisions in the U.S. Army.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] World War II

General Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks with paratroops of the 502d Parachute Infantry Regiment, on the evening of 5 June 1944.
101st Airborne troops posing with a captured Nazi flag, two days after landing at Normandy

The division was activated on 15 August 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. On 19 August 1942, its first commander, Major General William C. Lee, promised his new recruits that the 101st had "no history but had a rendezvous with destiny."

General Order Number Five, which gave birth to the division, reads:

The 101st Airborne Division, activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny. Like the early American pioneers whose invincible courage was the foundation stone of this nation, we have broken with the past and its traditions in order to establish our claim to the future.

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.

During World War II, the Pathfinders of the 101st Airborne Division led the way on D-Day in the night drop prior to the invasion. They left from RAF North Witham having trained there with the 82nd Airborne Division.

On 25 August 1944 the division became part of the XVIII Airborne Corps in the First Allied Airborne Army. As part of this formation, the division took part in Operation Market Garden.

During the Battle of the Bulge the 101st, as one of the few forces available to contain the German advance, was rushed forward by truck to defend the vital road junction of Bastogne. Famously, Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe answered the German demand for surrender with the reply "To the German Commander: NUTS! -The American Commander" and the division fought on until the siege was lifted and the German advance halted.

On 1 August 1945, the 101st Airborne Division left Germany for Auxerre, France, to begin training for the invasion of Japan. When Japan surrendered two weeks later, the operation became unnecessary. The 101st deactivated on 30 November at Auxerre.

For their efforts during World War II, the 101st Airborne Division was awarded four campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations. The division suffered 1,766 Killed In Action; 6,388 Wounded In Action; and 324 Died of Wounds during World War II.

[edit] Units

101st Airborne troops retrieving air dropped supplies during the siege of Bastogne.
  • Division Headquarters
  • 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, attached 1 May 1944 – past 9 May 1945
  • 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment
  • 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, assigned 1 March 1945, previously attached 15 September 1943 - 1 March 1945
  • 327th Glider Infantry Regiment
  • 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, disbanded 1 March 1945 in France; assets to 327th GIR
  • HHB, Division Artillery
    • 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
    • 463d Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
    • 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
    • 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
  • 81st Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion
  • 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion
  • 326th Airborne Medical Company
  • 101st Parachute Maintenance Company
  • 101st Signal Company
  • 101st Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment
  • Headquarters, Special Troops
    • 801st Airborne Ordnance Maintenance Company
    • 426th Airborne Quartermaster Company
    • Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne Division
    • Military Police Platoon
    • Reconnaissance Platoon
    • Band (assigned in 1 Mar 45 reorganization)

Source: Order of Battle: U.S. Army World War II by Shelby Stanton, Presidio Press, 1984.

[edit] Helmet insignia

The 101st is distinctive partly by their helmet decorations. The soldiers used card suits (diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs) to indicate the regiment to which they belonged. The only exception being the 187th, who were added to the division later.

  • These insignias 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)
    • 501st: Diamonds (♦) (Currently 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment is part of the 4th Brigade (ABN), 25th Infantry Division in Alaska.) (The Diamond is currently used by the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade)
    • 502d: Hearts (♥) (Currently worn by the 2d Brigade Combat Team)
    • 506th: Spades (♠) (Currently worn by the 4th Brigade Combat Team)
    • 187th: Torii() (Currently worn by the 3d Brigade Combat Team; not during World War II, when the 187th Infantry Regiment was part of the 11th Airborne Division.)

[edit] Reactivation

The 101st Airborne Division was reactivated as a training unit at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, in 1948 and again in 1950. It was reactivated again in 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and in March 1956, the 101st was transferred, less personnel and equipment, to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to be reorganized as a combat division. The 101st was reactivated as a "pentomic" division with five battle groups in place of its World War II structure that featured regiments and battalions. The reorganization was in place by late April 1957 and the division's battle groups were:

  • 2d 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 (Abn)
  • Battery E, 319th Artillery (Abn)
  • Battery A, 321st Artillery (Abn)
  • Battery B, 321st Artillery (Abn)
  • Battery C, 321st Artillery (Abn)
  • Battery A, 377th Artillery (Abn)

Other supporting units were also assigned.


[edit] Civil rights

From September through November 1957 elements of the division's 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry (bearing the lineage of the old Company A, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment) were deployed to Little Rock, Arkansas, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to enforce Federal court orders during the Little Rock Crisis.

[edit] Vietnam War

Men of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, fire from old Viet Cong trenches.

In the mid-1960s, the 1st Brigade and support troops were deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, followed by the rest of the division in late 1967. Two of the included battalions were the Screaming Eagles and the Red Elite Squadron. The Screaming Eagles disbanded after their leader, J. M. MacCarthy, was dropped in via CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and was counterattacked by a M-60 tank. A day after the attack he went MIA. In almost seven years of combat in Vietnam, elements of the 101st participated in 15 campaigns. Notable among these were the Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969 and Firebase Ripcord in 1970. The 101st was deployed in the northern I Corps region operating against the Vietnam People's Army (NVA) infiltration routes through Laos and the A Shau Valley. Elements of the division supported the ARVN Operation Lam Son 719, the invasion of southern Laos, in 1971, but only aviation units actually entered Laos. In the seven years that all or part of the division served in Vietnam it suffered 4,011 Killed in Action and 18,259 Wounded in Action.

It has been said that most North Vietnamese had never seen a bald eagle, so they called the 101st soldiers "Chicken Men" or "Rooster Men." Viet Cong commanders would regularly include in their briefings that they were to avoid confrontation with the "Chicken Men" at all costs, as they were sure to lose. Supposedly this remained a source of fierce pride among veterans who served in Vietnam under the 101st.[1]

Such claims must be balanced against the reality of combat losses. Casualties for the 101st in Viet Nam were twice those suffered in World War II, and its total number of Killed in Action (4,022) was the third highest of all U.S. Army ground units, behind the 1st Cavalry Division (5,464) and the 25th Infantry Division (4,561). Had the entire division arrived in 1965, as did the 1st Cav and 25th, its total casualties would have undoubtedly been even higher. These statistics, however, do not reflect an incompetence or lack of ability in combat, rather, they simply show the regular occurance of intense combat that the division was engaged in.

[edit] Post-Vietnam

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

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 authorised for the division in the early 1970s.[2]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, a distinction shared with the 1st and 5th Infantry divisions.

Tragedy struck the division 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 Observers on the Sinai Peninsula to Kentucky, crashed near Gander, Newfoundland. All eight air crew members and 248 US servicemen died, most were from the 3d Battalion, 502d Infantry. The crash was the worst in Canadian aviation history. President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy travelled to Fort Campbell to comfort grieving family members. On 8 March 1988, two U.S. Army helicopters collided in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, killing 17 servicemen.

[edit] Persian Gulf War

Ground operations during Operation Desert Storm, with the 101st Airborne Division positioned at the left flank.

In January 1991, the 101st once again had its "Rendezvous with Destiny" in Iraq during the combat air assault into enemy territory. The 101st sustained no soldiers killed in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of enemy prisoners of war. General Richard A. Cody, then lieutenant colonel, commander of the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, fired the first shots of the war[citations needed] from his AH-64 Apache.

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

[edit] Montana forest fires

In August and September 2000, the 3d Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, helped fight fires on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana. Designated Task Force Battle Force and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jon S. Lehr, the battalion fought fires on the Valley Complex near Darby, Montana.[3]

[edit] Operation Enduring Freedom

Rakkasans of the 187th Infantry Regiment return from Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was the first conventional unit to deploy in support of the American War on Terrorism.[4] The 2d 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. 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.[citation needed] 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 "Curraahee" including the 1st and the 2nd Battalions, 506th Infantry "Band of Brothers" were deployed to Afghanistan. End of 2008 159 7th Batt. Aviation deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan.

[edit] Operation Iraqi Freedom

3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment alongside Task Force 20 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." The division was in V Corps, providing support to the 3d Infantry Division by clearing Iraqi strongpoints which that division had bypassed. 3rd Battalion 187 inf regt (3rd Brigade) was attached to 3rd Infantry Division and was the main effort in clearing Saddam International Airport. The Division then went on to a tour of duty 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 north of Mosul.

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 ("Currahee") 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, with 1-506th INF resurfacing in Korea, along with 1-503d INF and 2-503d INF (the latter later inactivated), as Air Assault units within the 2d Infantry Division. The colors of the 506th have returned to the 101st and 1-503d and 2-503d are parachute infantry battalions of the 173d Airborne Brigade in Italy, just as they were when the 173d was in Viet Nam.

The reconfiguration of 101st formed seven major units in the division (four infantry BCTs, two combat aviation brigades (CABs), and one sustainment brigade), making it the largest formation currently in the U.S. Army.

As of December 2007, 143 members of the Division have died while on service in Iraq. [5]

[edit] Second deployment to Iraq

Soldiers from Battery B, 3d Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, pose at the end of a patrol near Wynot, Iraq much like the cover of Band of Brothers.

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, Kirkuk, Diyala and As Sulymaniyah. On 30 December 2005, Task Force Band of Brothers also assumed responsibility for training Iraqi security forces and conducting security operations in Ninevah and Dahuk provinces as the headquarters for Task Force Freedom was disestablished.

CPL Jared Jenkins and 1SG Arthur Abiera, Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 33d Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, patrol the outskirts of Sadr City, Iraq.

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, one of the deadliest cities in Iraq.

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.[6] Numerous civil affairs operations were directed by the division, including the construction and renovation of schools, clinics, police stations, and other important landmarks in civilian communities from Turkey to Baghdad and from the Syrian border to the Iranian border.

[edit] Accusations of misconduct in Iraq

On 19 June 2006, the US military announced that three soldiers of the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Private First Class Corey R. Clagett, Specialist William B. Hunsaker and staff sergeant Raymond L. Girouard, were being charged in connection of the deaths of three male detainees in an operation near a canal north of Baghdad on 9 May. On 21 June a fourth soldier was charged, but none were convicted.

In July 2006, five troopers were charged in connection with the rape and murder of 14 year old Iraqi girl Abeer Qasim, and the murder of three of her family members, including a 5-year-old girl. The incident took place in Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad. Previously, an arrest in the case was also made in June of 2006 when former trooper Steven D. Green was apprehended in North Carolina. On 17 November 2006 Specialist James Barker was sentenced to life in prison for the incident. Friday 23 February 2007 saw the Sergeant, two specialists and two privates convicted with lengthy sentences.

[edit] Third deployment to Iraq

The 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st is currently deployed in Iraq, in the Salah ad Din Province, northeast of Baghdad. The 2d Brigade Combat Team is currently deployed in Baghdad, and the 3d Brigade Combat Team is currently deployed in the Southern belt region southwest of Baghdad.

[edit] Second deployment to Afghanistan

The 4th Brigade Combat Team is currently deployed to Afghanistan to support the international security force responsible for security of the country.

[edit] General information

The most recent change of command within the division took place on 10 November 2006. During this change of command, MG Jeff Schloesser took command of the 101st from the division's previous commander, now-LTG Tom Turner. Turner left the 101st to command Fifth Army.

  • Commanding General: Major General Jeffrey J. Schloesser
  • Deputy Assistant Division Commander (Operations): Colonel (promotable) Mark A. Milley.[7]
  • Deputy Assistant Division Commander (Support): Brigadier General James C. McConville.[7]

[edit] Parachute Demonstration Team

The "Screaming Eagles" is also the nickname for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Command Parachute Demonstration Team. The unit traces its history to the late 1950s, during the infancy of precision free fall. The command group formed a full-time team in 1984.[8]

[edit] Current structure

OrBat of the 101st Airborne Division

101st Airborne Division:

  • 101st Division Special Troops Battalion
    • A Company ("Slayers") MRF
    • B Company ("Black Dragons")
    • C Company ("Spartans")
    • Headquarters and Support Company ("Sentries")
  • 1st Brigade Combat Team ("Bastogne")(♣)
    • 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment ("Above the Rest")
    • 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment ("No Slack")
    • 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment ("Balls of the Eagle")
    • 1st Squadron (RSTA), 32d Cavalry Regiment ("Victory or Death")
    • 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion
    • 426th Brigade Support Battalion
  • 2nd Brigade Combat Team ("Strike")(♥)
  • 3rd Brigade Combat Team ("Rakkasans") (Torii)
    • 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment ("Leader Rakkasans")
    • 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment ("Raider Rakkasans") (inactivated 30 Sep 2005)
    • 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment ("Iron Rakkasans")
    • 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment ("Red Knight")
    • 1st Squadron (RSTA), 33rd Cavalry Regiment("War Rakkasans")
    • 626th Brigade Support Battalion ("Assurgam")
    • 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion ("Rak Solid")
  • 4th Brigade Combat Team ("Currahee")(♠)
    • 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment ("Red Currahee")
    • 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment ("White Currahee")
    • 1st Squadron (RSTA), 61st Cavalry Regiment ("Panther")
    • 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment ("Guns of Glory")
    • 801st Brigade Support Battalion ("Maintaineers")
    • 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion ("Apache")
  • 101st Combat Aviation Brigade ("Wings of Destiny")(♦)
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company ("Hell Cats")
    • 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment ("Out Front")
    • 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment ("Expect No Mercy")
    • 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment ("Eagle Assault")[9]
    • 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (GSAB) ("Shadow of the Eagle")
    • 96th Support Battalion (Aviation) ("Troubleshooters")
  • 159th Combat Aviation Brigade ("Eagle Thunder") (Triangle)
    • Headquarters and Headquarters Company
    • 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment ("Pale Horse")
    • 3d Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment ("Eagle Attack")
    • 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment ("Wings of the Eagle")[9].
    • 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (GSAB) ("Eagle Lift")
    • 563rd Support Battalion (Aviation) ("Keep Them Fighting")
  • HHC, 101st Sustainment Brigade ("Life Liners") (operational control, but not part of the division) [10]
    • 101st Brigade Troops Battalion ("Trojans")
    • 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion ("Drive the Wedge")
    • 106th Transportation Battlion
    • 326th Engineer Battalion

Note: The 49th Quartermaster Group at Fort Lee, Virginia, may provide support to, but is not part of, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

[edit] Lineage

[edit] HHC, 101st Division

  • Constituted 23 July 1918 in the National Army as Headquarters, 101st Division
  • Organized 2 November 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi
  • Demobilized 11 December 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi
  • Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters, 101st Division
  • Organized 10 September 1921 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Redesignated 31 March 1942 as Division Headquarters, 101st Division
  • Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently, reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
  • Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
  • Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
  • Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
  • Reorganized and redesignated 3 February 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne Division

[edit] HHC, 1st Brigade

  • Constituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters Company, 101st Division
  • Organized in November 1921 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Reorganized and redesignated 31 March 1942 as Headquarters and Military Police Company (less Military Police Platoon), 101st Division
  • Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne *Division, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
  • Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
  • Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
  • Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
  • Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1956 as Headquarters and Service Company, 101st Airborne Division
  • Reorganized and redesignated 25 April 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Command and Control Battalion, 101st Airborne Division
  • Reorganized and redesignated 3 February 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division

[edit] HHC, 2nd Brigade

  • Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Headquarters, 159th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
  • Organized 27 August 1917 at Camp Lee, Virginia
  • Demobilized 1 June 1919 at Camp Lee, Virginia
  • Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
  • Organized in September 1922 at Richmond, Virginia
  • Redesignated 23 March 1925 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Brigade
  • Redesignated 24 August 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade
  • Converted and redesignated 12 February 1942 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop (less 3rd Platoon), 80th Division (Headquarters and *Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade, concurrently converted and redesignated as the 3rd Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company, 80th Division)
  • Troop ordered into active military service 15 July 1942 and reorganized at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, as the 80th Cavalry *Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 80th Division (later redesignated as the 80th Infantry Division)
  • Reorganized and redesignated 12 August 1943 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
  • Inactivated 6 January 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
  • Redesignated 15 July 1946 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
  • Activated 21 May 1947 at Richmond, Virginia, as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon, an element of the 80th Airborne Division
  • (Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)
  • Reorganized and redesignated 20 April 1948 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
  • Reorganized and redesignated 18 September 1950 as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Company
  • Reorganized and redesignated 10 May 1952 as the 80th Reconnaissance Company, an element of the 80th Infantry Division
  • Disbanded 29 March 1959 at Richmond, Virginia
  • Reconstituted (less 3rd Platoon) 22 October 1963 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry *Brigade (3rd Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company--hereafter separate lineage)
  • Redesignated 21 January 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
  • Activated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] HHC, 3rd Brigade

  • Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Headquarters, 160th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
  • Organized 27 August 1917 at Camp Lee, Virginia
  • Demobilized 7 June 1919 at Camp Lee, Virginia
  • Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
  • Organized in September 1922 at Baltimore, Maryland
  • Redesignated 23 March 1925 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Brigade
  • Redesignated 24 August 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade
  • Converted and redesignated 12 February 1942 as the 3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Troop, 80th Division (Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade, concurrently converted and redesignated as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop [less 3rd Platoon], 80th Division)
  • Troop ordered into active military service 15 July 1942 and reorganized at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, as the 80th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 80th Division (later redesignated as the 80th Infantry Division)
  • Reorganized and redesignated 12 August 1943 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
  • Inactivated 6 January 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
  • Redesignated 15 July 1946 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
  • Activated 21 May 1947 at Richmond, Virginia, as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon, an element of the 80th Airborne Division
  • (Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)
  • Reorganized and redesignated 20 April 1948 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
  • Reorganized and redesignated 18 September 1950 as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Company
  • Reorganized and redesignated 10 May 1952 as the 80th Reconnaissance Company, an element of the 80th Infantry Division
  • Disbanded 29 March 1959 at Richmond, Virginia
  • 3rd Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company, reconstituted 22 October 1963 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade (remainder of the company - hereafter separate lineage)
  • Redesignated 21 January 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
  • Activated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] HHB, 101st Division Artillery

  • Constituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 176th Field Artillery Brigade
  • Organized in 1923 in Wisconsin
  • Redesignated 30 January 1942 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Division Artillery
  • Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
  • Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
  • Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
  • Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
  • Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
  • Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1956 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery
  • Reorganized and redesignated 25 April 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery

[edit] HHC, [101st Aviation Brigade]

  • Constituted 7 December 1950 in the Regular Army as the 4th Light Aviation Section
  • Activated 19 December 1950 in Korea
  • Inactivated 5 November 1954 in Korea
  • Redesignated 1 July 1956 as the 101st Aviation Company, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
  • Reorganized and redesignated 3 December 1962 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Aviation Group[11]
  • Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1987 as the 101st Aviation Brigade, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System

[edit] HHC, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 15 November 1962 in the Regular Army as Company A, 101st Aviation Battalion, an element of the 101st Airborne Division
  • Activated 3 December 1962 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
  • Inactivated 4 April 1979 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
  • Activated 30 September 1981 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
  • Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1987 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, and remained assigned to the 101st Airborne Division[12].

[edit] HHC, 2nd Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 15 November 1962 in the Regular Army as Company B, 101st Aviation Battalion, an element of the 101st Airborne Division
  • Activated 3 December 3 December 1962 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
  • Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1987 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, and remained assigned to the 101st Airborne Division[12]
  • Inactivated 16 November 1988 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
  • Activated 16 August 1991 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] HHC, 3rd Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • 1 July 1968 in the Regular Army as Company C, 101st Aviation Battalion, an element of the 101st Airborne Division
  • Activated 20 December 1968 in Vietnam.
  • Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1987 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, and remained assigned to the 101st Airborne Division[12].

[edit] HHC, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 1 July 1968 in the Regular Army as Company D, 101st Aviation Battalion, an element of the 101st Airborne Division
  • Activated 20 December 1968 in Vietnam
  • Inactivated 30 September 1981 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
  • Redesignated 16 October 1987 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as an element of the 101st Airborne Division[12]

[edit] HHC, 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 16 September 1987 in the Regular Army as the 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] HHC, 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 16 September 1987 in the Regular Army as the 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] HHC, 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 7 December 1950 in the Regular Army as the 4th Light Aviation Section.
  • Activated 19 December 1950 in Korea
  • Inactivated 5 November 1954 in Korea
  • Redesignated 1 July 1956 as the 101st Aviation Company, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
  • Reorganized and redesignated 3 December 1962 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Aviation Battalion
  • Headquarters Company, 101st Aviation Battalion[13] reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1987 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, and remained assigned to the 101st Airborne Division[12]

[edit] HHC, 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 16 October 1987 in the Regular Army as the 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] HHC, 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment

  • Constituted 16 December 1989 in the Regular Army as the 9th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

[edit] HHC, 159th Aviation Brigade[14]

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division fly to Forward Operating Base Dagger near Tikrit, Iraq, aboard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
  • Constituted 16 October 1992 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Aviation Group, and activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
  • Reorganized and redesignated 16 June 1998 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

[edit] Honors

[edit] Campaign Participation Credit

  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
  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

[edit] Decorations

  1. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
  2. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
  3. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO, VIETNAM 1966 (1st Brigade only)
  4. Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN (3rd Brigade Only)
  5. Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE (3rd Brigade and DIVARTY Only)
  6. Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA (1st Brigade Only)
  7. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965-1966 (1st Brigade Only)
  8. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968 (3rd Brigade Only)
  9. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  10. French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
  11. Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only);
  12. cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
  13. Belgian Fourragere 1944 (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
  14. Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in FRANCE AND BELGIUM (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
  15. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966-1967 (1st Brigade Only)
  16. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 (2d Brigade Only)
  17. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968-1969 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  18. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  19. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968-1970 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
  20. Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970 (DIVARTY only)

[edit] Division commanders

[edit] Noted Members (selection)

[edit] In popular culture

Tom Willard, Author: Buffalo Soldiers Col. David Hackworth: Soldier's for the Truth: About Face Dick Winters- Band of Brothers and Biggest brother

[edit] See also

Arrow Air Flight 1285

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Straub, Bill (9 April 2003). "101st Airborne Division has storied past". Scripps Howard News Service. http://www.knoxstudio.com/shns/story.cfm?. Retrieved on 21 May 2007. 
  2. ^ http://www.506infantry.org/hisassault/hisassaultphoto08.html
  3. ^ "Military Support in Wildland Fire Suppression 1988 - 2003", National Interagency Fire Center
  4. ^ "Operation Enduring Freedom - Deployments". www.globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/enduring-freedom_deploy.htm. Retrieved on 10 September 2008. 
  5. ^ Iraq Coalition Casualties: U.S. Fatalities - By Divisions
  6. ^ "Iraq's new ambassador addresses Washington". Operation Iraqi Freedom website. 13 April 2006. http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=18. Retrieved on 21 May 2007. 
  7. ^ a b "Ft Campbell Courier 19 July 07, p 1". http://fortcampbellcourier.com/articles/2007/07/19/news/news3.txt. Retrieved on 2007-07-123. 
  8. ^ "Screaming Eagles Parachute Demonstration Team". http://www.campbell.army.mil/PDT/pdt.htm. Retrieved on 2009-03-04. 
  9. ^ a b Unit has pathfinder companies.
  10. ^ 101st Sustainment Brigade is the redesignation of the 101st Corps Support Brigade. According to the May-June 2006 issue of Army Logistician, page 10, sustainment brigades fall under the theater support command, not the division, but are placed under the operational control of a division for a specific mission or operation. They also wear their own separate brigade patch; however, no such patch exists yet for this brigade.
  11. ^ (organic elements constituted 15 November 1962, and activated 3 December 1962 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky)
  12. ^ a b c d e (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)
  13. ^ (Headquarters, 101st Aviation Battalion - hereafter separate lineage)
  14. ^ (Note: The lineage of the 159th Aviation Brigade is separate from that of the Viet Nam-era 159th Aviation Battalion and the later 159th Aviation Regiment.)
  15. ^ a b Acting division commanders.


[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101st_Airborne_Division"
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