History of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was activated at Camp Blanding, Florida in 1942 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Roy E. Lindquist. On the evening of June 5, 1944 the regiment embarked on the invasion of Europe as part of the 82nd Airborne Division and initial elements landed on French soil at 0215 hours June 6, 1944.
September 17, 1944 saw the 508th in the sky over Holland at 1317 hours as part of a massive Allied Airborne invasion designed to shorten the war in Europe. The action was called Operation Market Garden and called for a combined armor and Airborne assault to seize and hold key bridges and roads deep behind German lines in Holland. The regiment established and maintained a defensive position along the main line of resistance over twelve thousand yards in length, with enemy on three sides.
On December 16, 1944 the entire 8The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was activated at Camp Blanding, Florida in 1942 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Roy E. Lindquist. On the evening of June 5, 1944 the regiment embarked on the invasion of Europe as part of the 82nd Airborne Division and initial elements landed on French soil at 0215 hours June 6, 1944.
September 17, 1944 saw the 508th in the sky over Holland at 1317 hours as part of a massive Allied Airborne invasion designed to shorten the war in Europe. The action was called Operation Market Garden and called for a combined armor and Airborne assault to seize and hold key bridges and roads deep behind German lines in Holland. The regiment established and maintained a defensive position along the main line of resistance over twelve thousand yards in length2nd Airborne Division was thrust into the Ardennes Forest in the largest battle of World War II—The Battle of the Bulge. During the battle, the 508th held lines of resistance two different times and then launched an attack with the 504th on January 7th.
Following occupation duty, the 508th returned to the United States and was deactivated on November 25, 1946.
The 508th after World War II
On April 16, 1951, the 508th Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR) was reactivated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The Regiment received orders to move to Fort Campbell, Kentucky in February 1954 with attachment to the 11th Airborne Division.
In July 1955, the Regimental Combat Team relocated to Japan on the Island of Kyushu and was subsequently ordered back to Fort Campbell, Kentucky July 1956 to prepare for the reactivation of the 101st Airborne Division.
The regiment was deactivated on March 27, 1957 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
On June 14, 2006 the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was reactivated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
In January 2007, the 508th PIR deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom 06-08 where it assumed command and control of TASK FORCE FURY, composed of over 6,500 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and International Military personnel that conducted counterinsurgency and stability operations in Southeast Afghanistan.
In August 2009, the 508th PIR deployed a second time to Afghanistan, this time in Regional Commands South and West as the first advise and assist brigade in Afghanistan. The brigade mentored more than 44,000 members of the Afghan National Army, Police and Border Police.
In August, 2010, the 508th PIR redeployed to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where it proudly stands ready to answer the Nation’s call as part of America’s Strategic Response Force.