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25 March 1942: 82nd Infantry Division reactivated at Camp Claiborne under the command of Major General Omar N. Bradley

August 15, 1942: The 82nd Airborne became the U.S. Army's first airborne division

Consisted of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment and the 504th and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiments

Consisted of two regiments of glider infantry and one of parachute infantry

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"All American Division"

"82nd Division"

"America's Guard of Honor"

General George S. Patton said, "In all my years in the Army and all the honor guards I have ever seen, the 82nd's honor guard is undoubtedly the best."

These nicknames fit the division because it was the original airborne division of the U.S. Army and consisted of Americans from across the country.

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This division had a background from all over the U.S., giving it its nickname of the "All American Division."

Took part in WWII across Europe and was a major force in significant conflicts.  This caused a bond between members, although there were many casualties.

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April 1943: Deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations to help invade Sicily

November 1943: Moved to U.K. to prepare for the liberation of Europe

1944: Prepared and took part in Mission Boston, a part of Operation Neptune, during the Invasion of Normandy

Major General Ridgway said, "... 33 days of action without relief, without replacements. Every mission accomplished. No ground gained was ever relinquished."

September 17: Took part in Operation Market Gardens in the Netherlands

Worked with the British 1st Airborne Division, who did not complete all objectives

The 82nd Division, however, did complete all objectives

Bill Downs said it was "a single, isolated battle that ranks in magnificence and courage with Guam, Tarawa, Omaha Beach. A story that should be told to the blowing of bugles and the beating of drums for the men whose bravery made the capture of this crossing over the Waal possible."

December 1944: Fought in the Battle of the Bulge

Suffered many casualties, but were successful

1945: Ended the war at Ludwigslust past the Elbe River, causing the surrender of over 150,000 German men

In total:

Battle casualties: 9,073

Killed in action: 1,619

Wounded in action: 6,560

Missing in action: 279

Prisoner of war: 615

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Campaign Participation Credit

Sicily (9 Jul - 17 Aug 43)

Naples-Foggia (9 Sep 43 - 21 Jan 44)

Rome-Arno (22 Jan 44 - 9 Sep 44)

Normandy (6 Jun 44 - 24 Jul 44)

Rhineland (15 Sep 44 - 21 Mar 45)

Ardennes-Alsace (16 Dec 44 - 25 Jan 45)

Central Europe (22 Mar 45 - 11 May 45)

Medal of Honor Recipients

Pvt. John R. Towle

Pfc. Charles N. Deglopper

1st Sgt. Leonard A. Funk, Jr.

Pvt. Joe Gandara

French Croix de Guerre with Palm for Sainte-Mère-Église

French Croix de Guerre with Palm for Cotentin

French Croix de Guerre, Fourragère

Belgian Fourragere 1940

Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in the Ardennes

Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in Belgium And Germany.

Military William Order, for bravery and valiant service in battle at Nijmegen 1944 during Market Garden

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March 23 – June 25 1942: Major General Omar N. Bradley (pictured)

Oversaw transformation of the 82nd Infantry Division into the first American airborne division

Received his first front-line command in Operation Torch under General Patton in North Africa

June  26 1942 – August 27 1944: Major General Matthew B. Ridgeway

Led in action in Sicily, Italy and Normandy

August 28 1944 – March 26 1948: Major General James M. Gavin

Was youngest major general to command a division in WWII

Took part in combat jumps with paratroopers under his command

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Operation Power Pack in Dominican Civil War

Vietnam: fought in the Mekong Delta, the Iron Triangle and along the Cambodian border

1967 Detroit Riot

Persian Gulf War

Operation Desert Shield

Operation Desert Storm

Assistance during Hurricane Andrew

War on Terror

Operation Iraqi Freedom I

Operation Enduring Freedom VI

Assistance during Hurricane Katrina

Assistance during 2010 Haiti earthquake

Different: expanded its battle groups to more on-ground combat, and more well-rounded

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To commemorate 1944 Waal assault river crossing made by the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment during Operation Market Garden, an annual competition is held on the anniversary of the operation at McKellars Lake near Fort Bragg

The winning company receives a paddle

Paddle signifies that in the original crossing, many paratroopers had to row with their weapons because the boats lacked paddles.

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The insignia consists of blue eagle wings, which is because of the symbol of an eagle to America.  This was also an airborne division, so the wings of an eagle represent flight.

It also features a fleur-de-lis, which is found on other military badges.

The quote "In air, on land" is present because of the division's efforts in both the air (parachuting) and on land combat.

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Biello, Dominic T. “The 82nd Airborne during World War II.” WW2-Airborne, www.ww2-airborne.us/division/82_overview.html.

82nd Airborne Association, 82nd Airborne Association, Inc., www.82ndairborneassociation.org/.

“82nd Airborne Division.” US Army Divisions, www.armydivs.com/82nd-airborne-division/.