Timeline
1940
-
January 1940
The War Department -
April 1940
Experimental Parachute Test Platoon -
June 25 1940
Major William C. Lee receives order to oversee the experimental platoon's formation -
July 1st 1940
Volunteers selection for the Test Platoon -
July 9 1940
Training starts at Lawson Field -
August 16 1940
Test Platoon 1st jump -
August 22-29 1940
First group jumps -
September 16 1940
The 1st Parachute Battalion -
October 1st 1940
The 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB)
July 1st 1940
Volunteers selection for the Test Platoon
On July 1, 1940, 200 volunteers from the 29th Infantry Regiment were selected. After a series of tests, 46 soldiers and 2 officers were selected and placed under the authority of Major William C. LEE.
