101st Airborne Division

101st Airborne Division
Darz Mol · Public domain · source
Unit name	101st Airborne Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1942–1945, 1948–1950, 1950–1956, 1956–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Airborne
Role	Air assault
Size	Division
Part of	XVIII Airborne Corps
Garrison	Fort Campbell
Nickname	Screaming Eagles
Motto	Rendezvous with Destiny
Colors	Blue and White
Battles	World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War

101st Airborne Division is an elite airborne division of the United States Army that has been involved in numerous significant military operations, including World War II, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and the Iraq War. The division is known for its bravery and sacrifice, as exemplified by the actions of Medal of Honor recipients such as Frederick Edwards, Don L. Johnson, and Joe M. Jackson. The division has also been led by notable commanders, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, and Matthew Ridgway, who played important roles in shaping the division's history and operations. The division's operations have been supported by other units, such as the 82nd Airborne Division, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the 1st Infantry Division.

● History

The 101st Airborne Division was activated on August 16, 1942, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under the command of Major General William C. Lee. The division was trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before being deployed to England in 1944. The division played a key role in the Allied invasion of Normandy, also known as D-Day, on June 6, 1944, with units such as the 506th Infantry Regiment and the 502nd Infantry Regiment participating in the Battle of Normandy. The division also participated in the Battle of the Bulge, the Siege of Bastogne, and the Invasion of Germany during World War II. After the war, the division was deactivated and reactivated several times, with notable commanders including General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Creighton Abrams. The division has also been involved in numerous other military operations, including the Vietnam War, where it was supported by units such as the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment.

● Organization

The 101st Airborne Division is currently organized as an air assault division, with a mix of infantry, armor, and artillery units. The division is composed of several brigades, including the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. The division is also supported by units such as the 101st Sustainment Brigade and the 101st Airborne Division Artillery. The division's organization has been influenced by the Goldwater-Nichols Act and the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and has been shaped by the experiences of notable commanders, including General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and General Colin Powell. The division has also worked closely with other units, such as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the 5th Special Forces Group.

● Operations

The 101st Airborne Division has been involved in numerous military operations throughout its history, including World War II, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and the Iraq War. The division played a key role in the Invasion of Iraq in 2003, with units such as the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment participating in the Battle of Karbala and the Battle of Najaf. The division has also been involved in numerous other operations, including the Battle of Ramadi and the Battle of Fallujah. The division's operations have been supported by units such as the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, and the United States Marine Corps, and have been influenced by the National Security Strategy and the Quadrennial Defense Review. The division has also worked closely with other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, through organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Coalition of the Willing.

● Notable Commanders

The 101st Airborne Division has been led by several notable commanders throughout its history, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, and Matthew Ridgway. Other notable commanders include General William C. Westmoreland, who led the division during the Vietnam War, and General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who led the division during the Gulf War. The division has also been led by notable commanders such as General Creighton Abrams and General Colin Powell, who played important roles in shaping the division's history and operations. The division's commanders have been influenced by the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College, and have been shaped by the experiences of other notable military leaders, including General George S. Patton and General Douglas MacArthur.

● Honors and Decorations

The 101st Airborne Division has been awarded numerous honors and decorations throughout its history, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The division has also been awarded several campaign streamers, including the World War II Victory Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. The division's units have also been awarded numerous honors and decorations, including the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star. The division's honors and decorations have been influenced by the United States Army Center of Military History and the Institute of Heraldry, and have been shaped by the experiences of notable military leaders, including General Omar Bradley and General Matthew Ridgway.

● In Popular Culture

The 101st Airborne Division has been featured in numerous films, books, and television shows, including the HBO series Band of Brothers, which tells the story of the division's experiences during World War II. The division has also been featured in films such as Saving Private Ryan and We Were Soldiers, and has been the subject of several books, including Stephen E. Ambrose's Band of Brothers and Mark Bando's 101st Airborne: The Screaming Eagles in World War II. The division's story has also been told through numerous documentaries, including The History Channel's 101st Airborne Division: The Screaming Eagles and PBS's The War. The division's experiences have also been influenced by the United States Army Heritage and Education Center and the National World War II Museum, and have been shaped by the experiences of notable military leaders, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Omar Bradley.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States