Compare these garment measurements with a well-fitting shirt. Chest width is measured flat across the garment, not around the body.
| Size | Body length at back | Chest width (flat) | Raglan sleeve length |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 27 3/4 | 20 | 34 |
| M | 28 3/4 | 21 1/2 | 34 5/8 |
| L | 29 3/4 | 23 | 35 1/4 |
| XL | 30 3/4 | 24 1/2 | 35 7/8 |
| 2XL | 31 3/4 | 26 | 36 1/2 |
| 3XL | 32 1/4 | 28 | 37 1/4 |
| 4XL | 32 3/4 | 30 | 38 |
These ranges are body chest measurements, not garment widths.
| Size | Body chest circumference |
|---|---|
| S | 35–37 |
| M | 38–40 |
| L | 41–43 |
| XL | 44–46 |
| 2XL | 47–49 |
| 3XL | 50–53 |
| 4XL | 54–57 |
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment insignia with the “H-Minus” motto, printed on the left chest.
The 505th PIR was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, on July 6, 1942, under LTC James Gavin and joined the 82nd in February 1943. Its Paratroopers made four regimental combat jumps during World War II: Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. Before going overseas, the regiment helped prove large-scale parachute operations during the March 29, 1943, mass jump near Camden, South Carolina.
In Normandy, the 505th helped capture and defend Sainte-Mère-Église after jumping on June 6, 1944. Its H-Minus motto recalls the regiment landing before the invasion's scheduled H-hour. The 505th jumped again near Groesbeek on September 17, 1944, and later fought through the winter conditions of the Battle of the Bulge.