The 509th PIB conducted two amphibious operations during WWII. The first was a group of islands which included Ventotene, Italy where German Naval Radar stations were operating. The 509th PIB was tasked to provide a raiding party. They were attached to the U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers which was a Naval Special Operation Unit that primarily conducted deception operations. The second amphibious operation was Operation SHINGLE the allied invasion of Anzio, Italy. The 509th PIB was attached to the 6615 Ranger Task Force along with Darby's Rangers. They were the first to land on the beach.
VENTOTENE AMPHIBIOUS OPERATION
9 Sep 1943 - 19 Oct 1943
HQ FIFTH ARMY, GENERAL ORDER NUMBER 31, DATED : 28 Feb 1944
Pvt. Leonard A. Armstrong
Pfc. David W. Ayres
Cpl. Clarence E. Babbitt
Pfc. Charles M. Cann
Cpl. James Cunningham
Pfc. Myles W. Darling
Cpl. Cecil P. Dawson
Sgt. Francis A. Dean
Pfc. Amos H. Dunlap
Pvt. Lewie H. Edkard
Capt. Alwyn A. Engleman
Pfc. Amarante Garcia
Pfc. John S. Gerk
Pvt. Lloyd E. Graber
Pfc. Ralph H. Hall
T/4 George L. Houston
Cpl. Robert L. Howard
T/5 Earl F. Judd
Pvt. Joseph Kubic
Pfc. Robert J. Maille
Pvt. John G. Manifis
Sgt. Tony J. Manzella
Pfc. John H. Matthews
Cpl. Milton E. McCaig
1st Lt. Wilbur B. McClintock
Pfc. Marion A. McGee
Pfc. FloydL. Moody
Pfc. Robert S. Moran
1st Sgt. Mike O'Brien
Sgt. Andrew P. Omasta
Pfc. Stanley E. Palaha
Pvt. Albert Paparella
Pfc. Alfred L. Paul
Sgt. Frank Pflugler
Sgt. Edwin Platt
SSgt. Harold D. Ramey
Pfc. Rudolph C. Rich
Pfc. John C. Robinson
Sgt. Carl E. Salisbury
Pfc. Phillip E. Scott
Pfc. Phenis C. Settlemyre
1st Lt. Kenneth R. Shaker
SSgt. Jesse A. Silva
Pfc. Robert B. Stapleton
Pfc. Tom W. Stevens
Pfc. William A. Tippins
Pvt. Dolphus R. Walker (Doc)
T/4 Robert A. Warner
Pfc. Samuel Waters Jr.
Cpl. Henry E. Wilbur
Sgt. Curtis E. Zimmerman
CITATION:
The three officers and forty-eight enlisted men, named above, of the Parachute Scout Company, *** (2nd) Battalion, *** (509th) Parachute Infantry Regiment are commended for outstanding services performed against the enemy during the period 9 September 1943 to 19 October 1943. On *** September this group was given the mission of occupying the island of ****, approximately eighteen miles from the Italian mainland. Landing on the island's beaches, the small force learned through native intelligence that ninety-five German soldiers occupied strongly fortified positions on the island. By clever deception they led the Germans to believe the island was occupied by six hundred Americans, and then made a daring capture of the entire enemy contingent. Sometimes together, and at other times acting in small, scattered groups, this force subsequently occupied three more islands in an equally daring and skillfull manner. During these actions, this group captured 113 German soldiers and three officers, and suffered only one slight casualty. The notable results obtained by this unit are testimony of the skill, daring and resourcefulness of each individual soldier who participated in these actions.
By command of Lieutenant General CLARK:
A. M. GRUENTHER
Major General, G. S. C.,
Chief of Staff.
6615 RANGER TASK FORCE - OPERATION SHINGLE - ANZIO BEACHHEAD
22 Jan 1944
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