US AIRBORNE

Orin D. Haugen

The 511th PIR was activated at Camp Toccoa in Georgia on January 5, 1943, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Orin D. Haugen. A few months later, he was promoted to Colonel. The leadership personnel were mainly chosen from the 505th PIR, which was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. The regiment originally consisted of around 12,000 recruits, of which about 3,000 were selected to begin parachute training.

On March 23, 1943, the 511th PIR was sent to Camp Mackall to join the 11th Airborne under Major General Joseph M. Swing. After spending 17 weeks training as regular infantry, the 511th was sent to the parachute school at Fort Benning for three weeks of training. It was noted that no member of the 511th refused to jump from a C-47 once in the air.

In December 1943, the 511th returned to Camp Mackall to complete its training. The regiment then participated in the Knollwood maneuvers, which became a model for the use of airborne troops throughout the rest of the conflict. In January 1944, the regiment was sent to Camp Polk in Louisiana for more maneuvers and to prepare for overseas deployment.

In April 1944, the 511th left Camp Polk for Camp Stoneman in California. Then, on May 8, 1944, it departed for Pittsburgh to board a ship, the SS Sea Pike, heading for Oro, New Guinea (May 28, 1944).

From May to October 1944, the 511th PIR remained as a reserve unit and used this time to familiarize itself with jungle warfare techniques. On November 7, it left New Guinea aboard the USS Cavalier for the Philippines to participate in the Leyte campaign. From November 18 to December 27, the regiment fought in the regions of Abuyog, Dulag, Burauen, Anonang, Manaraawat, Lubi, Mohonag, and Anas.

From December 27 to January 21, 1945, the 511th remained in the Dulag area as a reserve unit. On January 22, 1945, it was sent to Mindoro for its next jump on the Tagaytay ridge.

After their arrival in New Guinea, happy to leave the Sea Pike ship, the paratroopers of the 511th PIR boarded DUKWs (amphibious vehicles) to reach the Dobodura airstrips, where they spent six months training intensively for jungle warfare. They set up pyramid tents by company, built “kitchens” and relaxation areas, then moved to the hills and mountains of the Owen Stanley Range to learn bushcraft and Japanese tracking techniques.

During this period, the paratroopers, nicknamed "Angels," displayed remarkable resourcefulness, stealing food, weapons, equipment, and even vehicles from neighboring units. They frequently snuck into the nearby WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) camp, outwitting the military police (MPs) on duty. During their free time, they attended USO shows, played cards late into the night, and honed their deadly skills with countless training jumps, field exercises, and shooting sessions.

These months of intensive training prepared them for the Philippine campaign, and in November 1944, the 511th PIR left Dobodura, embarking on a 2,100-mile journey to Leyte, where they would participate in liberation operations as part of the Pacific campaign.

After their intensive training in New Guinea, the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of the 11th Airborne Division landed at Leyte, Philippines, on November 6, 1944. The "Angels" quickly unloaded their gear at Bito Beach, about sixty-five kilometers south of Tacloban. They then advanced inland, where they relieved the 7th Infantry Division and headed toward the Leyte mountains, with the mission of destroying the island's main Japanese supply line.

Known as the "Green Hell," this harsh environment tested the physical and mental endurance of the paratroopers, who carried their ammunition and three days of rations in extreme conditions. For thirty days, they endured hunger, relentless monsoon rains, mud, steep terrain, sharp volcanic rocks, and night-time "banzai" attacks. Many soldiers fell seriously ill, suffering from malaria and/or dysentery, but they continued to fight while carrying their wounded deeper into the mountains.

On Christmas Day, the "Angels" descended from the mountains and entered Ormoc after having destroyed 5,760 enemy soldiers. Their bravery and endurance earned them numerous distinctions: 96 Silver Stars, 6 Soldier’s Medals, 90 Air Medals, and 423 Bronze Stars. Despite the losses and hardships, their success in Leyte paved the way for the invasion of Luzon, marking a decisive step in the liberation of the Philippines.

After their difficult campaign at Leyte, the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of the 11th Airborne Division arrived on the island of Luzon in the Philippines on January 29, 1945, to take part in the liberation of Manila and secure key positions. The majority of the division landed amphibiously at Nasugbu and then advanced inland, facing fierce enemy resistance near the town of Aga.

Edward H. Lahti

On February 3, the 511th PIR made a daring parachute jump onto Tagaytay Ridge. Once the rest of the division arrived, the "Angels" (the division's nickname) advanced toward the south of Manila. They encountered the formidable Genko Line, a heavily fortified Japanese defensive position with concrete bunkers, machine gun nests, anti-aircraft and naval guns, mines, and other deadly obstacles. With limited artillery support, the soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division managed to break through this defensive line and liberate several strategic sites, including Cavite, Fort McKinley, and Nichols Field. On February 22, 1945, the 511th PIR lost its commander, Colonel Haugen. Seriously wounded during the fighting around Manila, he died while being transported to the hospital. He was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Edward H. Lahti. The division then moved east and south to neutralize pockets of resistance around Mount Malepunyo and beyond. One of the most notable operations was their participation in the liberation of civilians interned at the Los Baños prison, during an airborne and amphibious assault. All the internees were safely freed, with no Angels being wounded in the operation.

Finally, the 511th PIR, in a Task Force named Aparri, took part in the last combat airborne operation of the war. The intense fighting by the 511th PIR and the 11th Airborne Division on Luzon was marked by numerous acts of bravery. The division earned two Medals of Honor, nine Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, ten Legion of Merit awards, 326 Silver Stars, 1,126 Bronze Stars, 27 Air Medals, and 884 Purple Hearts. This campaign in Luzon, which ended on August 11, 1945, made a decisive contribution to the liberation of the Philippines and to the Allied efforts in the Pacific Theater.

The 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), heavily tested by the fighting in the Philippines, received reinforcements on Luzon before being ordered to prepare in just four hours to board for Okinawa. Upon arrival, the paratroopers, nicknamed the Angels, waited for Japanese and Allied leaders to finalize the surrender of the Empire. In the meantime, the soldiers took the opportunity to visit friends in other units (and their mess halls), steal jeeps to explore the island, and relax on this overcrowded island, the central gathering point for the potential invasion of Japan.

Despite the waiting conditions, the paratroopers continued to train, reorganize, and replace their equipment, all while maintaining strict military discipline. When the news of Japan's surrender was confirmed, new orders came for the 11th Airborne Division: they were to prepare for another move. The 511th PIR was to be part of the first complete Allied unit to land on mainland Japan, marking the beginning of the Allied presence in the country for its occupation and demilitarization.

After their arrival in Okinawa, the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was ordered to proceed to Japan. On August 30, 1945, they landed at Atsugi, where the Angels quickly secured the airfield for the arrival of Generals Robert Eichelberger and Douglas MacArthur. The regiment then served as an honor guard for MacArthur and Eichelberger during Japan's surrender ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. After the surrender, the 511th PIR was tasked with protecting MacArthur's headquarters in Yokohama, located in the New Grand Hotel, before the division was deployed to northern Honshu for occupation duties. During their stay in Japan, the paratroopers of the 11th Airborne Division distinguished themselves with their exemplary behavior, playing a significant role in rebuilding the relationship between the United States and Japan. They were a model of democracy and compassion, and their presence helped ease post-war tensions and establish strong ties between the two nations. Their actions, both military and social, were key in fostering the friendly relationship that exists today between the two countries. The regiment continued to serve in law enforcement missions and assisting in the reorganization of Japan until the division was gradually reduced, and its soldiers returned to the United States. The Angels remained in Japan until April 1949, when the 11th Airborne Division was demobilized and the last members of the 511th PIR returned home.