This is the 1st July 1941 that was formed 550th Airborne Infantry Battalion at Fort Kobbe on the Pacific side of the Canal Zone in Panama. In those early days, the battalion was not a battalion of paratroopers, glider or a battalion as a unit but rather landing based on the German model that was used during the assault on Crete.

It was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Harry M. Melasky and posted to Panama because of concern for the growing interest of Germany in Central America.
However, in mid 1943, the German interest had declined and the 550th was redeployed to the United States to be trained as a glider battalion.
The 550th was re-designated as the 550th Glider Infantry Battalion and was involved in Operation Dragoon as part of the First Airborne Task Force. This will be it first combat mission.

After the success of the operation, the 550th served as a troop of mountain in the Alps Maritime along the French-Italian border. It fought until November 1944 when the 1st ABTF was dissolved. The battalion was sent to Aldbourne, England.
During the Battle of the Bulge, the 550th GIB was attached to the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 17th Airborne.
In February 1945, the 550th GIB and 193rd GIR brought reinforcements to the 3rd Battalion of the 194th GIR.