Forged in battle, the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment stands as a testament to the valor and resilience of American airborne forces. From its baptism by fire in the skies over Normandy to its current role in the nation's rapid deployment forces, the "Geronimo" regiment has carved a distinguished history marked by heroism and sacrifice.
The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was constituted on November 15, 1942, at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, under the command of the legendary Colonel Howard R. "Jumpy" Johnson. The regiment, consisting of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, underwent grueling training, fostering a fierce esprit de corps that would be tested in the crucible of World War II. In early 1944, the 501st was attached to the 101st Airborne Division, the "Screaming Eagles," an association that would define its wartime experience. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the regiment parachuted into Normandy behind enemy lines, tasked with securing key causeways and bridges. Despite being scattered during the drop, the paratroopers of the 501st fought with tenacity, achieving their objectives and earning a Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their actions at Angoville-au-Plain. The regiment again distinguished itself during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and, most famously, during the siege of Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge, where their stubborn defense against overwhelming German forces proved critical to the Allied victory.
Following World War II, the 501st underwent a series of inactivations and reactivations. The regiment was not activated for the Korean War but was reactivated in the 1950s. Its next major combat role came in the Vietnam War, where its battalions, again serving with the 101st Airborne Division, participated in some of the conflict's most intense fighting. From the brutal close-quarters combat of the A Shau Valley to the infamous Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969, the 501st added to its legacy of courage under fire. During this period, the regiment transitioned from a parachute to an airmobile role, reflecting the changing nature of warfare. Key personnel who distinguished themselves during this era include Sergeant First Class Webster Anderson and Specialist Four Santiago J. Erevia, both of whom would receive the Medal of Honor for their actions.
The post-Vietnam era saw significant changes for the 501st. The regiment as a whole was inactivated, and its battalions were reorganized and reassigned. Today, the lineage of the 501st is carried on by two active battalions. The 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne) is a key component of the 11th Airborne Division, stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. This battalion maintains its airborne status and specializes in Arctic and mountain warfare. The 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment was reactivated and is now part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, returning a component of the regiment to the "All-American" division. While the 3rd Battalion remains inactive, its colors and honors are preserved, a silent testament to its vital contributions during World War II. The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, through its active battalions, continues to uphold its motto, "Geronimo," standing ready to deploy wherever they are needed, a living embodiment of their storied and heroic past.