The history of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
The 502nd was one of the original battalion size parachute units formed by the army in 1941. Designated the 502nd ParachuteBattalion, it was activated on July 1st 1941. After war had been declared on the Axis powers, the army felt the need to expand the paratroopers. On August 1st 1942 the 82nd Motorized Division was split and the 82nd Airborn and 101st Airborne Divisions were activated. The 502nd was the original,TO& E Parachute Infantry regiment in the roll of the 101st Abn. Div. In Sept 1943 the 502nd along with elements of the Division Headquarters and the 377th Parachute Field Artillery boarded the S.S. Strathnaver for the voyage to England. The voyage was plagued with problems and the Strathnaver had to turn around and made port in St. John's Newfoundland. The ship set sail again and ran hit the harbor wall, the 502nd
boarded the SS Erikson which finished the voyage. It took them 6 weeks to sail from the U.S. to England. The 502nd would participate in practice jumps and field problems during the winter and early spring. The 502nd was one of the 1st serials to depart for the invasion of Normandy. After returning to England in July of 1944 the 502nd took new replacements, and began training. The 101st was alerted 3 times before finally jumping again, this time into Holland on September 17th 1944. The 502nd was pulled off the line in late November 1944 returning to thier base camp in France. The 101st was sent to fill the gap made during Hitler's last ditch offensive. The 101st was made famous by their activities in the surrounded town of Bastogne. The 101st would go onto the capture Hilter's " Eagles Nest". Here the Division would stay until the wars end. For a full history of the 101st and the 502nd please click the "Kickoff" link above.
