National Airborne Day - 8.16

National Airborne Day is a day designated by the United States Congress to honor the nation's airborne forces of the Armed Forces.
On August 3, 2009 the Senate recognized National Airborne Day with Senate Resolution 235. Signed by President George W. Bush
Aug. 16, 1940, marks the date of the first official Army parachute jump at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The successful jump validated the innovative concept of inserting U.S. ground combat forces behind enemy lines by parachute.
In November 1942, members of the 2nd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, conducted America's first combat jump, leaping from a C-47 aircraft behind enemy lines in North Africa. This strategy revolutionized combat and established airborne forces as a key component of our military.

(PROUD Airborne trooper of HHC, 1/502d, 2nd Brigade, Ft. Campbell, KY.)