Artifact Friday: 101 Airborne Patch and History of the Division

One of the most iconic units of the U.S. Military is the 101st Airborne, also known as the "Screaming Eagles". The 101st specializes in air assault and has a rich and interesting history since 1942.

On August 19th, 1942, the 101st Airborne was activated and became the only air assault division within the Army. The Screaming Eagles have been a part of integral moments throughout history, such as landing behind enemy lines in the early hours of what would become D-Day.

The 101st was trained in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and then in England. Once they were done, they were prepared for Operation Overlord, the invasion of Europe, D-Day. Once they landed in Europe and stormed the beaches of Omaha and Utah, they would make their way across Europe to liberate Holland; it took two months.

The 101st then went on to fight in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the deadliest battles of the war. The battle was long, cold, and brutal, but the Allies won, with the 101st being among the divisions present throughout. By this point, the Screaming Eagles became the most feared division by Nazi powers, even by Hitler himself.

After World War II, the 101st did not see major action. President Eisenhower sent the 101st to Little Rock, Arkansas, to enact school integration and aid the Little Rock Nine in 1957.

The 101st saw service in Vietnam and became well known as the “chicken men” to Vietnamese soldiers, who would say to “avoid them at all costs”. After Vietnam, the 101st saw action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.

The 101st has a legendary history, one that exemplifies the extraordinary capabilities of the U.S. military.