The 505th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Panthers,” is one of the most famous units of the 82nd Airborne Division. Activated in 1942, the regiment made the first U.S. regimental combat jump in Sicily, fought at Salerno, Normandy, and Nijmegen, and helped hold the line in the Battle of the Bulge. The 505th’s motto, “H-Minus,” reflects its legacy of jumping before H-Hour and seizing the fight early. Today, its battalions continue to serve proudly in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 505th Infantry Regiment.
World War II Origins
The 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was activated on 6 July 1942 at Fort Benning, Georgia, under the command of Colonel James M. Gavin, who would later rise to command the 82nd Airborne Division. The regiment joined the newly formed 82nd Airborne Division, making it one of the Army’s earliest parachute regiments.
In July 1943, the 505th made history by executing the first regimental-sized combat parachute assault in U.S. history during the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky). Despite scattered drops and chaos, the regiment seized key objectives, establishing its reputation for grit and adaptability. The unit’s bold motto, “H-Minus,” comes from its tradition of jumping before H-Hour to strike the enemy early.
The 505th went on to conduct a combat jump at Salerno, Italy in September 1943, again proving airborne troops could decisively alter the battlefield.
Normandy and Market Garden
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the 505th parachuted into Normandy in the early hours, tasked with securing roadways and causeways inland from Utah Beach. Fighting in small, scattered groups, the Panthers disrupted German reinforcements and helped secure the Allied beachhead.
In September 1944, the regiment participated in Operation Market Garden, parachuting into the Netherlands to seize bridges over the Maas and Waal Rivers. The 505th fought bitter battles around Nijmegen and Groesbeek, expanding the airborne corridor for Allied ground forces.
Battle of the Bulge and War’s End
During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the 505th was rushed into the Ardennes to halt the German counteroffensive. Despite brutal winter conditions and fierce enemy attacks, the regiment stood firm, helping to blunt the offensive and turn the tide of the campaign.
By war’s end, the 505th had fought in Sicily, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, earning a reputation as one of the Army’s most battle-tested regiments.
Postwar and Modern Era
Following World War II, the 505th remained an integral part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Its battalions deployed throughout the Cold War and into modern conflicts. Elements of the 505th fought in Vietnam, and later battalions deployed to Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury, 1983), Panama (Operation Just Cause, 1989), the Gulf War (1991), Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Today, the regiment’s battalions continue to serve in the 82nd Airborne Division, maintaining global readiness as part of the nation’s Immediate Response Force.
Legacy and Honors
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Campaigns: Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, plus Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan.
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Nickname: “Panthers.”
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Motto: “H-Minus,” reflecting their historic combat jumps.
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Decorations: Presidential Unit Citations, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Netherlands Military Order of William, Belgian Fourragère.
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Key Figures: Colonel James M. Gavin, first commander of the regiment and later division commander, remains an iconic figure in airborne history.
From the first regimental combat jump in Sicily to modern deployments around the globe, the 505th Infantry Regiment has lived up to its Panther spirit and H-Minus legacy.