US AIRBORNE

Wood C. Joerg

The 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion was activated on October 30, 1942, at Fort Benning, along with other elements activated on November 23, 1942, at Fort Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone. It replaced the 501st Battalion, which was absorbed into the 503rd PIR. It was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Wood C. Joerg. The unit trained in small individual groups to specialize, allowing the battalion to operate in any environment. This training included learning to fly light aircraft, operate small boats, and other mechanical equipment, even locomotives. Additionally, the men received training in communication, demolition, and sabotage operations in any sector. Essentially, the training prepared them for special missions that could be accomplished by paratroopers. This type of training can be seen as a precursor to the training provided to Navy Seals, Rangers, Special Forces, and Air Commandos.

Since the fall of France and its occupation by the Germans, there was concern about the French island of Martinique, as it was feared that it could harbor U-boats. Plans were made for the 551st PIB to launch a surprise attack on the island in June 1943 to seize it. However, the French "governor" of the island allied with the government of Charles de Gaulle, and the airborne mission was canceled.

In August 1943, the 551st PIB was deployed to Camp Mackall in North Carolina, where it stayed until March 1944.

The battalion participated in tests that contributed significantly to the history of U.S. Airborne combat. One of the tests involved parachuting from gliders to evaluate the effectiveness of such mass drops. A C-47 towed two gliders carrying paratroopers, but the tests were deemed ineffective by the Airborne Command at Camp Mackall.

The battalion was then sent to Italy and participated in pre-combat maneuvers in Sicily.

During Operation Dragoon, the 551st PIB was attached to the 1st Airborne Task Force.

On August 15, 1944, the 551st made its first combat jump near the town of Draguignan. During the night, the battalion infiltrated 5 km through German lines to secure the town. The success was complete when the men reached and captured the headquarters of German General Bieringer without much difficulty. This event served as a catalyst for the local population, who began displaying Allied flags. Fearing German reprisals against the population, General Friederick, commander of the 1st ABTF, ordered the 551st PIB to liberate the town. On August 17, with the assistance of local French Resistance forces (FFI), the 551st PIB liberated Draguignan. The battalion then went on rest near Puget, joined by Pathfinder teams from its units.

On August 20, the 551st PIB resumed the assault along the coastline. The battalion was halted by a stronghold at La Napoule (Hill 105) containing a 105mm cannon. After a 24-hour assault, the road was cleared. The battalion lost around twenty men. On August 24, the battalion moved towards Cannes. The men set up defensive positions near Mougin. On August 25, Cannes was liberated. On August 29, after a four-day advance, at 10:00 AM, a patrol under Lt. Dick Durkee entered Nice, which was fully liberated on August 30. After the success of the operation, the 551st served as mountain troops in the Maritime Alps along the French-Italian border. The 551st, along with the 550th and 509th, fought against the 5th Austrian Mountain Division (Hochgebirgsjäger) to protect the right flank of the 7th US Army. The battalion was relieved by the 100th Infantry Division on November 17, 1944.

The 551st was then assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps and sent to Laon in northern France by train, later moving to Werbomont. The battalion barely had time to resupply before the Battle of the Bulge began.

On December 21, 1944, the 551st PIB was sent to the front and assigned to the 30th Infantry Division, reinforcing positions in and around Francorchamps, Ster, and Stavelot in Belgium. On Christmas Day, the battalion was attached to the 82nd Airborne near Rahier in Belgium in support of the 508th PIR.

On December 27, under orders from General Gavin, the battalion conducted reconnaissance missions to capture prisoners and determine which German units were opposing the division. After intense combat, including repelling two German counterattacks, the 551st withdrew to its starting positions, mission accomplished.

From January 1, German artillery fire gradually decimated the battalion’s ranks as it advanced through the Ardennes forests to consolidate positions west of the Salm River. On January 4, 1945, Company A charged, bayonets fixed, under Lt. Dick Durkee’s command, against German machine gun positions blocking the battalion.

On January 7, 1945, one of these artillery shells killed Lieutenant Colonel Joerg while his battalion was capturing the town of Rochelinval in Belgium.

By January 9, due to excessive combat losses, the 551st PIB was reduced to the size of a company, with only Company A remaining. After the attack on Rochelinval, its losses further reduced it to platoon size. Consequently, the 551st PIB moved to Juslenville, where the unit was dissolved.

In March 1945, the XVIII Airborne Corps reorganized the forces. The remaining 96 men from the 551st PIB were sent to reinforce the 82nd Airborne. Most of the men were appointed as non-commissioned officers in the 82nd Airborne regiments, from Platoon Sergeant to 1st Sergeant. Although, in their hearts, the men remained loyal to their original unit, they quickly supported their new units. The unofficial logo of the 551st PIB was "Great Outstanding Young Americans," but the men immediately redefined it as "Get off Your Ass," which they applied in their new units. The men became "GOYA" forever!