WWII AIRBORNE DEMONSTRATION
TEAM FOUNDATION
To Serve and Honor Those Who Fought and Died to Preserve Our Freedom
On this day, 24th March 2006, the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion is recognized and honored by the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation and inducted into the Legacy Hall of Honor for its heroic actions during World War II.
The 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion’s history began with the constitution of the 551st Parachute Infantry Regiment by the Army of the United States, on 30th October 1942. However, the Regiment really did not fully exist and never achieved greater than Battalion strength.
Following its activation at Fort Kobbe in Panama on 26th November 1942, the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion was guarding U.S. interests in the region as well as training for future deployment. In August 1943, the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion was transferred to the Airborne Command and moved to Camp Mackall, North Carolina for final intensive training and eventual deployment to the European Theater of War.
Here, the unit became part of the 1st Allied Task Force and on 15th August 1944, made its first and only combat parachute jump, into Southern France, near the town of Draguignan in Operation Dragoon. Having successfully achieved its objectives, the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion went into continual combat through the Alps region of southern France until November 1944.
From France, the Unit was thrust into the heart of the Battle of the Bulge on 21st December 1944 at Werbomont, when it reinforced the 30th Infantry Division’s positions and where it also battled near Francorchamps, Ster and Stavelot, before being transferred to the command of the 82nd Airborne Division and supporting the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment near Rahier. Here, the Unit was involved in heavy close quarter fighting and hand to hand combat.
In January 1945 the 551st Parachute Battalion was ordered to advance through the Ardennes Forest west of the Salm River and take the town of Rochelinval, then move towards the river, but accurate enemy artillery fire and the heavy combat conditions decimated the Battalion although their objective was achieved.
On 10th February 1945, the remnants of the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion was officially deactivated and its surviving 100 troopers unceremoniously transferred into other units of the 82nd Airborne Division.
