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| Association of the 101st Airborne Division | |
|---|---|
| Name | Association of the 101st Airborne Division |
| Type | Veterans' association |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Headquarters | Fort Campbell, Kentucky |
| Region served | United States |
| Leader title | President |
Association of the 101st Airborne Division is a veterans' organization formed to support veterans, family members, and supporters associated with the 101st Airborne Division (United States). The association maintains ties with former paratroopers and air assault soldiers who served in conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). It serves as an advocacy, memorial, and social nexus linking members to the history of engagements like Operation Overlord, the Battle of the Bulge, and Operation Market Garden.
The association traces origins to immediate post‑World War II efforts by veterans of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and other components of the Division to preserve unit history and comradeship. Early leaders included veterans of the Normandy landings and the Rhine crossings, who organized reunions and memorial projects referencing figures such as General Maxwell D. Taylor, Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, and enlisted leaders from the Easy Company, 506th PIR. Through the Cold War era the organization expanded membership to include those who served in Vietnam War rotations with the 1st Brigade Combat Team (101st Airborne Division), veterans of Operation Desert Storm, and post‑9/11 deployments. The association played roles in establishing memorials at sites like the Screaming Eagles Museum and in coordinating with cemeteries such as Ardennes American Cemetery for commemorative events.
The association's mission emphasizes support for veterans, preservation of the Division's heritage, and public education about battles including Operation Market Garden and the Battle of Hamburger Hill. Activities include providing transition assistance tied to programs at Department of Veterans Affairs, participating in memorial ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, and supporting scholarship funds named for notable soldiers and leaders like Major Richard Winters and Colonel Robert H. Barrow. The association engages in historical preservation alongside institutions such as the U.S. Army Center of Military History and the National World War II Museum, and advocates for veterans' issues before bodies like the United States Congress while collaborating with organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
Membership is open to veterans who served in the 101st Airborne Division (United States), family members, and supporters with an interest in the Division's legacy, including alumni from units such as the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment and the 160th Signal Battalion. The association is governed by an elected board with officer roles titled President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary; advisory committees focus on welfare, historical archives, and cemetery relations. Regional chapters exist across states with concentrations near installations like Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg, and in veteran communities in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.. The association maintains rosters that document campaign credits like Operation Enduring Freedom and decorations such as the Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor awarded to Division members.
Annual national reunions, battalion and company gatherings, and chapter‑level memorial services mark the association calendar. Major events often coincide with anniversaries of the D‑Day landings and commemoration of the Battle of Bastogne and may include panel discussions featuring veterans of the Vietnam War and post‑Cold War conflicts. The association organizes battlefield tours to sites in Normandy, Bastogne (Belgium), and the Netherlands, and coordinates with historians from institutions such as the Imperial War Museums and the Smithsonian Institution for lectures and exhibits. Local chapters host ceremonies on Veterans Day and Memorial Day that attract public officials from state legislatures and municipal governments.
The association publishes a membership magazine and periodic newsletters that document reunions, obituaries, unit histories, and oral histories from veterans of the Screaming Eagles. It maintains an archive of unit rosters, after‑action reports, and photographic collections referencing operations like Operation Hawk and Operation HAWKER. Digital communication includes an official website, email bulletins, and moderated social media groups that liaise with academic projects at universities such as Georgetown University and The Ohio State University for oral history initiatives. The association also produces commemorative books and guides in collaboration with publishers who specialize in military history.
The association administers awards to recognize service and community contributions, including lifetime achievement awards named for Division figures, unit commendations for support to veterans' welfare, and scholarship grants for descendants of Division members attending institutions such as United States Military Academy and University of Tennessee. It issues unit citations for exemplary chapter activities and honors civic partners, museums, and media that contribute to preserving the Division's history, often presenting awards at the national reunion where guest speakers have included figures from the Department of Defense and distinguished veterans.
The association maintains a cooperative but separate relationship with the active 101st Airborne Division (United States), liaising on ceremonial events, family support services, and historical projects. Formal coordination occurs with Division public affairs officers and unit commanders during events at Fort Campbell and during overseas commemorations in France and Belgium. While independent in governance, the association supports morale and welfare initiatives, veteran transition programs, and archival transfers to active duty unit museums and the National Archives and Records Administration for long‑term preservation.
Category:Veterans' organizations of the United States Category:101st Airborne Division (United States)