The 327th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Bastogne Bulldogs”, is one of the most storied regiments in the 101st Airborne Division. With combat jumps in Normandy and Holland, a legendary stand at Bastogne, and service from Vietnam through Iraq and Afghanistan, the 327th continues its proud tradition of airborne and air assault excellence. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 327th Infantry Regiment.
The 327th Infantry Regiment was first constituted in 1917 and assigned to the 82nd Division for service in World War I. The regiment fought in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives, establishing its combat lineage.
World War II – Airborne Service
Reactivated during World War II, the regiment was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as a glider infantry regiment. The 327th played a critical role in every major campaign of the Screaming Eagles:
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Normandy (June 1944): Landed by glider and sea, the regiment fought through Carentan and linked up with paratroopers holding the Cotentin Peninsula.
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Operation Market Garden (Sept 1944): Fought to secure bridges and hold the corridor along “Hell’s Highway.”
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Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944 – Jan 1945): Earned its most famous distinction in the defense of Bastogne, where the regiment held firm against overwhelming German forces in freezing winter conditions. For this valor, the regiment received the nickname “Bastogne Bulldogs.”
Post-War & Vietnam
After World War II, the regiment remained part of the 101st. During the Vietnam War, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 327th Infantry fought in some of the fiercest combat of the conflict, earning Presidential Unit Citations and multiple individual decorations. Known for their aggressiveness in battle, the battalions adopted distinct nicknames that continue to define their identities.
Cold War, Desert Storm & Beyond
Through the Cold War, the 327th maintained readiness as part of the 101st Airborne (Air Assault). It deployed during Operation Desert Storm (1991) and has since participated in multiple operations in the Middle East, Balkans, and Africa.
Global War on Terror
Since 2001, the regiment has deployed repeatedly to Iraq and Afghanistan, conducting air assault missions, counterinsurgency operations, and stability support. Its battalions remain at the forefront of U.S. Army rapid-deployment capability.
Battalion Nicknames & Identities
The 327th Infantry Regiment is unique in that each battalion has its own proud identity:
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1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment – “Bulldogs”
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2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment – “No Slack”
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3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment – “Workhorse”
These battalion-level designations remain powerful sources of pride among veterans and active-duty paratroopers/air assault infantrymen.
Identity & Honors
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Regimental Nickname: “Bastogne Bulldogs”
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Motto: “Honor and Country”
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Decorations: Presidential Unit Citations for Normandy, Bastogne, and Vietnam; French Croix de Guerre; Belgian Fourragère; Valorous Unit Awards from Vietnam through Afghanistan.
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Notable Figures: Medal of Honor recipients include SFC Paul Ray Smith (Iraq, 2003, attached) and others from the regiment’s Vietnam service.
Enduring Significance
The 327th Infantry Regiment embodies the spirit of the 101st Airborne Division. From the glider landings of Normandy to the frozen foxholes of Bastogne, the rice paddies of Vietnam, and the deserts of Iraq, its Soldiers have defined themselves through toughness, loyalty, and courage. The “Bulldogs,” “No Slack,” and “Workhorse” battalions carry forward a proud tradition that continues to this day.
Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 327th Infantry Regiment.