Categories timeline: US Airborne (1940-1945)
October 5 1941
Creation of the 504th PIB
October 5 1941: Creation of the 504th PIB led by Major Richard Chase.
Back to the listAugust 21 1941
Creation of the 503rd PIB
August 21 1941: Creation of the 503rd PIB led by Major Robert F. Sink.
Back to the listAugust 11 1941
First overseas combat jump exercise
On August 11, 1941, first jump exercise outside the USA. 109 paratroopers from the 501st PIB jump from 4 C-47 and 8 B-18 aircraft under the direction of Captain Shinberger at Rio Hato on the Panama Canal.
Back to the listJuly 10 1941
The Parachute School settles in Fort Benning
On July 10 1941, The Parachute School settles in Fort Benning under Major George P. Howell’s orders.
Back to the listJuly 1st 1941
Creation of the 502nd PIB
On July 1, 1941, the 502nd PIB was created under the command of Major George P. Howell, later replaced by Major George VH. Moseley.
Back to the listMarch 10 1941
The Provisional Parachute Group
On March 10, 1941, the airborne troops organized themselves and set up a structure in charge of recruitment, training and combat use of airborne troops: this was the Provisional Parachute Group, whose staff, under Ltc William C. LEE, was also based at Fort Benning.
Back to the listOctober 1st 1940
The 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB)
On October 1, 1940, the 1st Parachute Battalion was renamed the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion. On October 7, it was placed under the command of Major William M. MILEY. A battalion is essentially made up of an HQ Bn (Headquarters Battalion), 3 companies and a medic unit, for a total of around 600 men.
Back to the listSeptember 16 1940
The 1st Parachute Battalion
September 16 1940: Creation of the first paratrooper unit: the 1st Parachute Battalion.
Back to the listAugust 22-29 1940
First group jumps
Between August 22 and 29, 1940, the first group jumps were made. After 6 qualifying jumps, the men of the Test Platoon were split into two units; some were posted to the Air Corps School at Chanute Field, Illinois, while the others were assigned as instructors to the future Airborne School.
Back to the listAugust 16 1940
Test Platoon 1st jump
On August 16, 1940, 1st/Lt William T. Ryder was the first to make the big jump from a flying Douglas B-18B, followed by Pvt William N. King.
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