Criteria The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding ac... The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight. MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Criteria The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the ... The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April 1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either Germany, Italy, Austria, or Japan. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description On January 1944, in conjunction with a frontal assault, the Allies attempted to turn the Gustav Line by landing troops at Anzio. But the frontal attack failed, and the Allies were unable to break out On January 1944, in conjunction with a frontal assault, the Allies attempted to turn the Gustav Line by landing troops at Anzio. But the frontal attack failed, and the Allies were unable to break out of the beachhead at Anzio until the Gustav Line was breached in May 1944.... More
People You Remember The 504th was activated May 1, 1942 at Fort Benning, Ga. In August, the regiment was made part of thThe 504th was activated May 1, 1942 at Fort Benning, Ga. In August, the regiment was made part of the 82nd Airborne Division. According to "The Devils in Baggy Pants," the combat record of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, upon being attached to the division, it became "the oldest parachute regiment in the oldest airborne division in the United States Army." My dad was a member of Charlie Co.,504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division and served from 1 Dec. 1943 to 17 Jan. 1949. While with the 504th, he served under Col. Reuben H. Tucker, the regimental commander. In addition to two Distinguished Service Crosses, Tucker was also awarded the Bronze Star and was entitled to wear three stars on his jump wings, denoting three combat jumps. The regimental staff included Lt. Col. Warren R. Williams Jr., executive officer; Capt. Edson R. Mattice, S-1; Maj. Fordyce Gorham, S-2; Maj. Mack C. Shelly, S-3; and Maj. William A.B. Addison, S-4. (If anyone is looking for the names of battalion company commanders, shoot me an e-mail. Unfortunately, while there are pictures of battalion staff, only the batalion commanders' names are listed. The book also has phots of a number of companies. ... More
Memories The 504th left New York City aboard the troopship USS George Washington on the morning of April 29, The 504th left New York City aboard the troopship USS George Washington on the morning of April 29, 1943. Approximately two weeks later, on May 10, the ship arrived at the North African port of Casablanca, and marched eight miles to a temporary home south of Casablanca. Several days later, the unit loaded onto trucks to a camp in Oujda, Algeria. There, training intensified, as did the number of reviews and parades for Allied generals. Generals Eisenhower, Clark and Patton, the Sultan of Morocco, and officials from every Allied nation watched the 504 go through its paces as it prepared for the invasion of Sicily. "Practice jumps were held and one, staged in a 30-mile wind, put nearly 30 percent of the regiment in the hospital with broken bones, sprains and bruises. Finally the order came and the regiment moved by truck to Kairouan, Tunisia, which was to be the 82nd Airborne Division's point of departure for the invasion of Sicily."
"America parachutists - devils in baggy pants - are less than 100 meters from my outpost line. I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next. Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere ..." -Found in the diary of a German officer who opposed the 504 on the Anzio beachead. ... More
Description "35,000 troops, 11,377 dead, wounded or missing, 6,450 captured. Objective was to secure series of bridges over main rivers of German occupied Netherlands. Strategic purpose was to allow allied crossi"35,000 troops, 11,377 dead, wounded or missing, 6,450 captured. Objective was to secure series of bridges over main rivers of German occupied Netherlands. Strategic purpose was to allow allied crossing of the Rhine River. The last natural barrier... More
Criteria The Belgian Croix de Guerre is awarded for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. The award was re established on 20 July 1940 by the Belgian government in exile for recognition of brave... The Belgian Croix de Guerre is awarded for bravery or other military virtue on the battlefield. The award was re established on 20 July 1940 by the Belgian government in exile for recognition of bravery and military virtue during World War II.[2] The post-1940 decoration could also be awarded to units that were cited. MoreHide
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide