US AIRBORNE

Julian B. Lindsey

The 515th PIR, known as the “Jumping Wolves,” was formed on January 18, 1943. It was activated on May 31, 1943, at Fort Benning, Georgia, under the command of Colonel Julian B. Lindsey, who served as an administrative officer for the men of the parachute school. The regiment included 184 members from the 507th PIR, including Lieutenant Colonel Harvey J. Jablonsky, who was the Executive Officer.

After training in Fort Benning's “Frying Pan” area in late 1943, the 515th PIR moved to Camp Mackall, North Carolina, in February 1944.

On March 7, 1944, the 515th PIR was attached to the 13th Airborne, replacing the 513th PIR.

In 1944, several paratroopers from the 515th were detached to be assigned to three airborne divisions: the 11th, 82nd, and 101st. Replacements came from the 541st PIR. These changes and movements reinvigorated training in preparation for overseas operations. It was within this regiment that the new parachute system, the JERD (Jumper’s Equipment Release Device), was invented, allowing paratroopers to more easily remove their main and reserve parachutes upon landing. This system was created by Pvt. P.L. Foreman of Headquarters Company.

On January 18, 1945, the 515th PIR received orders to move to Camp Shanks in New York. Finally, on January 25, the regiment was sent to Europe.

On February 8, it landed at Le Havre, France, and then traveled by train to Camp Lucky Strike near Ste Valery en Caux. A few days later, Colonel J. Jablonsky took command of the regiment. Although the regiment was combat-ready, the rapid advance of Allied forces prevented the planning of airborne operations.

At the end of the war, on May 7, 1945, the regiment’s only hope of seeing combat was in the Pacific theater. Redeployment began on July 18, 1945, but before the regiment reached New York, the war in the Pacific had ended. The 515th PIR was deactivated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on February 25, 1946.