Timeline
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January 30 1942
Creation of four Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) -
February 24 1942
Reorganization of the 504th PIB -
2 Mars 1942
Creation of 502nd PIR and 503rd PIR -
April 19 1942
The head of the Airborne Command by Colonel Elbridge G. Chapman -
May 1st 1942
Creation of the 504th PIR -
June 19 1942
Official institution of the Parachutist's Badge -
July 6 1942
Creation of the 505th PIR -
July 20 1942
Creation of the 506th PIR -
August 15 1942
Creation of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions -
September 29 1942
101st Airborne Division settles in Fort Bragg -
October 3rd 1942
82nd Airborne Division settles in Fort Bragg -
October 20 1942
Creation of the 508th PIR -
October 30 1942
Creation of the 551st PIB -
November 2nd 1942
The 2/503rd PIR is renamed 2/509th PIR -
Beginning of November 1942
The Airborne Command moves to Camp Mackall -
November 8th 1942
First combat mission of the US paratroopers: Operation Torch -
November 15 1942
The 2/509th PIR jumps in Algeria -
December 26 1942
The 509th's raid in Tunisia
August 15 1942
Creation of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions
On 15 August 1942, the 82nd Infantry Division stationed at Camp Claiborne in Louisiana was transformed into an airborne unit. From its strength, two separate units were created: the 82nd Airborne Division of the ‘All Americans’ under Major General Matthew B. Ridgway. Ridgway (Campaigns: Sicily, Italy, Normandy, Holland, Ardennes, Germany) and the 101st Airborne Division of the ‘Screaming Eagles’ under Major General William C. Lee (Campaigns: Normandy, Holland, Ardennes – Alsace, Germany).
