US AIRBORNE

The very first operational airborne unit, the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion, was created at Fort Benning, Georgia, on October 1, 1940.

A directive from the War Department in October 1940 encouraged various army commands to favor the selection of volunteers for the future 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion. In early October, the first volunteers arrived and were housed in tents near Lawson Field at Fort Benning. This first parachute unit was commanded by Major William M. Miley, who would later become the commander of the 17th Airborne Division.

The staff included:
- Executive Officer: Major George P. Howell
- S-1/S-2 and future commander of the 508th PIR: Captain Roy E. Lindquist
- S-3: Captain William T. Ryder
- S-4: Captain Richard Chase
- Parachute Officer: Lieutenant James A. Basset
- Sergeant-Major: Sergeant Harris T. Mitchell

The first company commanders were Captains Robert F. Sink, who would later command the 506th PIR, and William P. Yarborough, the inventor of the parachutist badge symbolizing the airborne qualification. Upon arrival, the men and officers began an intensive physical training program. On March 21, 1941, General Omar N. Bradley accompanied Major Miley during the parachutist qualification ceremony. During the event, 276 men and officers were awarded the newly created parachutist badge. This group represented the very first class of qualified paratroopers in the U.S. Army.

The 501st was tasked with providing the framework for a new airborne depot group, the Provisional Parachute Group, being established at Fort Benning starting on February 25, 1941. This group would serve as the foundation for the creation of future U.S. airborne regiments, as well as a training school for the many volunteers arriving in large numbers. Equipment and weaponry specific to this new branch were developed, leading to the creation of specialized materials for paratroopers. Techniques were refined, and training was adapted to prepare for the diverse conditions paratroopers might face. During this time, a manual was even published.

In June 1941, the first cadres left the 501st to form the 502nd Battalion. By August, others departed to create the 503rd and 504th Battalions.

In September 1941, Company C left the battalion for the Panama Canal Zone, as the U.S. government feared a possible German infiltration in the area. By the end of September, the rest of the battalion also arrived. Upon arrival, the battalion began recruiting volunteers to replace those who had left for the new battalions. Significant exercises were conducted in coordination with local units to best organize the defense of this strategic location.

On December 7, 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Colonel Miley was ordered back to the United States to take command of the newly created 503rd PIR, which had evolved from the 503rd Battalion. At that time, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Kinsler took command of the 501st, with Major George M. Jones as the Executive Officer. However, Kinsler was also called back to the United States, leaving the battalion under Major Jones, who was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Subsequently, the 501st moved to Australia to replace the 2nd Battalion of the 503rd PIR, which had been deployed on a mission. Lieutenant Colonel Jones remained in command of the 501st until he was appointed commander of the 503rd PIR, a role he held throughout the war in the Pacific.

The 501st became the 2nd Battalion of the 503rd PIR. It fought in the Pacific and distinguished itself at Corregidor during the capture of the fortress.

The 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion was a pioneer unit that laid the groundwork for the major U.S. airborne divisions. Its members had to invent all the techniques related to this new branch of warfare.