11th Airborne Division

11th Airborne Division
Benjamin Wilson · Public domain · source
Unit name	11th Airborne Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1943–1958, 1963–1965, 2022–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Airborne infantry
Role	Air assault, forced entry
Size	Division
Garrison	Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska
Nickname	"The Angels"
Battles	World War II, Occupation of Japan, Korean War
Notable commanders	Joseph Swing, Ridgely Gaither, William Westmoreland

11th Airborne Division is a United States Army airborne infantry division, first activated during World War II. Nicknamed "The Angels," it saw combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations, notably during the liberation of the Philippines and the Battle of Luzon. Following the war, it served as part of the Occupation of Japan and later saw action in the Korean War before being inactivated and subsequently reactivated multiple times, most recently in 2022 to serve as the U.S. Army's primary Arctic warfare formation.

History

The division was activated at Camp Mackall, North Carolina in February 1943 under the command of Major General Joseph Swing. After intensive training, it deployed to the South West Pacific Area in mid-1944, joining Douglas MacArthur's forces for the campaign to retake the Philippines. Its first combat jump occurred at Tagaytay in February 1945 during the Battle of Luzon, and elements later participated in a daring raid to liberate Allied prisoners of war from the Los Baños internment camp. After Victory over Japan Day, the division was part of the initial Occupation of Japan, landing at Atsugi Airfield and establishing its headquarters in Hokkaido. Inactivated in 1958, it was briefly reactivated from 1963 to 1965 as a Strategic Army Corps formation. The division was most recently reactivated in June 2022 at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska, to focus on operations in the Arctic.

Organization

As originally constituted, the division followed the triangular structure with two glider infantry regiments and one parachute infantry regiment. Its core regiments were the 187th and 188th Glider Infantry and the 511th Parachute Infantry. Supporting units included the 457th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, the 674th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, and the 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion. The modern iteration, designated as the 11th Airborne Division (Arctic), comprises two infantry brigade combat teams: the 1st and 2nd Brigade Combat Teams, supported by the 11th Airborne Division Artillery and the 11th Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade.

Insignia and uniforms

The division's shoulder sleeve insignia, authorized in 1943, features a white numeral "11" on a blue background within a white-bordered red circle, symbolizing an airborne globe. The nickname "Angels" is derived from this insignia's design. During World War II, personnel wore the standard M1943 field uniform and were authorized the M2 paratrooper helmet. Parachutists wore the basic parachutist badge, while glider troops wore the glider badge. The division's distinctive unit insignia, a winged sword on a shield, was approved in 1953.

Notable members

Several individuals who served with the division achieved significant prominence. Future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General of the Army Omar Bradley served as a senior advisor during its activation. Renowned war correspondent Walter Cronkite flew on a combat jump with the division during the Philippines campaign. Medal of Honor recipient Private First Class Manuel Perez Jr. served with the 511th Infantry Regiment. Other notable members include United States Secretary of the Army Gordon R. Sullivan and National Football League player Pat Tillman, who served with the division's Ranger element prior to his service with the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Honors and awards

The division earned several campaign streamers for its service in World War II, including for the New Guinea campaign, the Leyte campaign, and the Luzon campaign. It was twice awarded the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the liberation of the islands. Individual soldiers received numerous valor awards, including the Medal of Honor posthumously awarded to Private First Class Manuel Perez Jr. for actions on Luzon. The division's lineage and honors are perpetuated by its currently active units in Alaska.

Category:Airborne divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1943