509TH Parachute Infantry Regiment

509TH Parachute Infantry Regiment

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      C Company Pathfinder 509th Parachute Infantry Tee
      from $31.95
      Airborne "Guts and Glory" World Tour Shirt
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      JRTC 1-509 OPFOR Replica
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      3-509 Infantry Regiment Arctic / Ranger T-Shirt
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      509th Infantry Vinyl Decal
      $3.99
      509th Parachute Infantry Battalion Operation Torch Legacy T-Shirt
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      509th Infantry Regiment Subtle Valor Series T-Shirt
      from $27.95
      509th Parachute Infantry Regiment DUI T-Shirt
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      JRTC 1-509 OPFOR Replica Champion® Hoodie
      from $48.95
      1-509 PIR Fort Chaffee JRTC Dri-Fit Polo
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      509th Infantry Ugly Sweater
      $65.99 $25.95 Save $40.04
      1-509th Infantry Regiment Guidon T-Shirt
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      1-509 PIR Fort Polk JRTC Dri-Fit Polo
      from $42.95
      3-509th Infantry Regiment Guidon T-Shirt
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      C Company (Pathfinder) 509th Parachute Infantry Reproduction
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      2-509th Infantry Regiment Guidon Champion® Powerblend™ Hoodie
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      1-509th Infantry Regiment Guidon Champion® Powerblend™ Hoodie
      from $48.95
      2-509th Infantry Regiment Guidon T-Shirt
      from $31.95
      3-509th Infantry Regiment Guidon Champion® Powerblend™ Hoodie
      from $48.95

      The 509th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Geronimos,” holds the distinction of being the first American parachute infantry unit to see combat in World War II. Its predecessors made the Army’s first combat parachute assault during Operation Torch and later fought in Italy, Southern France, and the Battle of the Bulge. Today, the regiment’s active battalions serve in very different roles: 1-509 Infantry at the Joint Readiness Training Center and 3-509 Infantry with the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska.

      The 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, forerunner of the modern regiment, originated as the 504th Parachute Infantry Battalion in 1941 and was redesignated in 1942. On 8 November 1942, the unit executed the first U.S. Army combat parachute assault near Oran during Operation Torch.

      The 509th later fought in Italy, made a combat jump near Avellino in September 1943, participated in the airborne assault in Southern France during Operation Dragoon, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

      Cold War and Beyond

      Postwar 509th units served in Europe and elsewhere as the Army reorganized its airborne forces. The battalion that had been known as 1-509 Infantry in Italy was redesignated before Operation Urgent Fury; therefore, 1-509 should not be credited as a participating battalion in the 1983 Grenada operation.

      Modern Era

      • 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry (Airborne): Serves as the Opposing Force at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana, training rotational units against a realistic near-peer adversary.
      • 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment: Serves with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division in Alaska and maintains an airborne and Arctic mission.

      Legacy and Honors

      • First Combat Jump: 8 November 1942, Operation Torch.
      • Nickname: “Geronimos.”
      • World War II Service: North Africa, Italy, Southern France, and Ardennes-Alsace.

      From pioneering U.S. combat airborne operations to training today’s Soldiers at JRTC and serving in Alaska’s airborne force, the 509th Infantry Regiment remains one of the most distinctive names in airborne history.

      Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the 509th Infantry Regiment.