For questions about the 509th PIA please contact: abn509thassoc@yahoo.com
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10 June 1942 - First American Parachute Battalion to deploy overseas arriving in Glasgow, Scotland and stationed at Chilton Foliat, England
29 August 1942 - Hold American and British wartime record for lowest mass parachute jump executed at 143 feet
08 November 1942 - First American paratroopers to conduct a combat parachute invasion, Oran, North Africa
08 November 1942 - The longest combat parachute operation of World War II from Lands End, England to Oran, North Africa a distance of 1500 miles
08 November 1942 - Lt. Dave Kunkle was the first American paratrooper killed in action on an Airborne Invasion.
08 November 1942 - First American paratrooper to receive the Distinguished Service Cross Capt. William P. Moir
08 November 1942 - First American paratroopers to earn the Combat Infantryman Badge awarded 10 April 1944
00 December 1942 - First American unit to attack German forces, Faid Pass, Tunisia
12 December 1942 - First American in WWII to be awarded the French Legion of Honor Col. Edson Raff
01 May 1943 - First American paratrooper to have a training facility named in his honor Pvt. Tom Mackall
06 June 1943 - Awarded the red beret by Major General Sir Frederick A.M. Browning, Commander 1st British Airborne who made the 509th PIB "Honorary Red Devils" basis for maroon beret
14 September 1943 - Conducted the first American Pathfinder operation behind enemy lines at Avellino, Italy
22 January 1944 - First Army paratroopers to spearhead an amphibious invasion, Anzio, Italy
06 February 1944 - First American unit to be awarded a foreign badge during World War II the French 3rd Zouave Regiment badge
08 February 1944 - First American paratrooper to receive the Medal of Honor Cpl. Paul Huff
Most decorated American parachute battalion of World War II with 1,718 Purple Hearts awarded
Developed the concept of Pathfinders while in North Africa
Developed the first parachute rigger section while in North Africa
First American paratrooper to earn a battlefield commission Lt. Jack Pogue
Performed five combat jumps in WWII - Oran, Youks les Bains, El Djem, Avellino, Southern France
Performed two amphibious operations in WWII - Ventotene and Anzio
During WWII the 509th would spend 2 years, 8 months and 19 days (994 days) overseas. Of this time, 2 years, 3 months and 21 days (825 days) would be in a combat zone – Campaign Days (Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Ardennes-Alsace, and Rhineland). Actual days in combat on the front line comes to 365 days.