They are some of the greatest people I have ever met! Thank you for all!

As an independent battalion, the 503rd sailed to Scotland in June 1942, becoming the first American parachute unit to go overseas in World War Two. It was attached to the British 1st Airborne Division for training. The training included mass tactical jumps from C-47 aircraft at 350 feet, extensive night training, and speed marching for 10 miles to and from the training area daily; and on one occasion, 32 miles in 11 hours. On 2 November, as the 503rd was staging for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, it was reorganized and redesignated as Company D, 509th Parachute Infantry. On this momentous day, as C-47's flew over the English countryside, the 509th Paratrooper was born.

The training paid off when the 509th spearheaded the Allied invasion of North Africa. The longest Airborne operation occurred 8 November 1942. After a C-47 flight of over 1600 miles from England, the battalion seized laceName>Tafarquay laceName>laceType>AirportlaceType> in Oran, Algeria by parachute assault. One week later, after repacking their own chutes (every man was his own rigger in those days), the battalion conducted their second combat jump on 15 November 1942 to secure the airfield at Youk-Les-Bains near the Tunisian border. From this base the battalion conducted combined operations with various French forces against the German Afrika Korps in Tunisia. One unit, the 3rd Regiment of Zouaves (French Algerian Infantry), awarded their own Regimental Crest as a gesture of respect to the American Paratroopers. This badge was awarded to the battalion commander on 15 November 1942 by the 3rd Zouaves' Regimental Commander, and is worn today by all members of the 509th Infantry.

To you and all our Veterans and to those that serve today, thank you for being the greatest!

Airborne, All the Way!

"American Parachutists...devils in baggy pants...are less than 100 meters from my outpost line. I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next. Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere..."
(An entry in a German officer's diary found after the Battle of Anzio)

Lets remember them and all our fallen comrades not only this Saturday, but every day.

All the way, sir!!!

I salute those men who participated in the first combat parachute jump 64 years ago today.  Unfortunately we lost one of those men this past weekend.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI.  One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS

I discovered this forum while doing research on my uncle, William C. Price, who served in the 509th during WWII.  He was a member of the 509th from its inception, and served in both North Africa and Italy, before being rotated home after Anzio (1944).

He is still living, and has consented to allow me to videotape interview him -- hopefully soon.  He hasn't set a date, and I don't want to be pushy, but I'm anxious to do it, the sooner the better.

I spoke with him this past Sunday (March 4th), and he seemed appreciative of all the efforts I've been making to research his service, and my extreme gratitude for his service, and the service of all (both past and present) who wear the uniform of this country.

As one who has never served, I have nothing but the highest respect for those who have done so, and still do.

I'm wondering if anyone here knows of any other original members of the 509th still living?  According to my online research (which I only started a few weeks ago), very few of the original members even survived the war -- much the decades which followed it.  I'm curious.

Thank you, all.

Unfortunately, he no longer likes to travel -- even locally.  He goes to the local VFW (3 blocks from his house), and that's about it.

While still alert, his health isn't what it was.  He's 87.

I'm glad to hear there are other survivors from the 509th.  He was there from the start, and I believe he was a corporal when he was rotated stateside after Anzio (so he missed Dragoon and Bastogne).  He was regular army for 2 years before he volunteered to join the newly-forming 509th (he said had to give up his sergeant's strips to join the paratroopers).

It would be great to see the interview.

As 509trooper said, in previous posting, please stay in touch with the him and the Association.

I had the opportunity to attend my first 509 reunion April 06 and it was a real honor and pleasure to met with some of the surviving WWII 509ers.

"American Parachutists...devils in baggy pants...are less than 100 meters from my outpost line. I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next. Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere..."
(An entry in a German officer's diary found after the Battle of Anzio)