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)
August 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.
