R U Airborne?

June 20–22, 1967 — This Date in Airborne History.

In the rugged mountains near Dak To, Vietnam, paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade fought one of the toughest battles in airborne history. Facing entrenched North Vietnamese forces on Hill 1338, the Sky Soldiers spent three brutal days fighting uphill through dense jungle under relentless enemy fire.

The Battle of the Slopes came at a heavy cost, but the courage, determination, and sacrifice displayed by these paratroopers became part of Airborne legend.

We remember the men who fought, endured, and never quit.

Airborne. All the Way. 🪂

June 19th, 1944 — This Date in Airborne History

Just days after D-Day, one of the worst storms to hit the English Channel in decades battered Normandy. Massive waves, fierce winds, and relentless rain disrupted Allied supply operations, damaged landing craft, and delayed the buildup of men, vehicles, and ammunition needed to sustain the invasion.

For the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, conditions were equally brutal. Already scattered across Normandy after their nighttime jumps, airborne troops endured cold rain, flooded fields, and muddy terrain while continuing to fight and hold key positions. Despite the storm's fury, the airborne soldiers remained in the fight, helping secure the foothold that would ultimately lead to the liberation of Europe.

🪂🇺🇸

JUNE 16TH - This Date in Airborne History
82nd Captures Saint-Sauveur-Le-Vicomte

Normandy • June 16, 1944

After 10 days of combat following D-Day, elements of the 505th PIR and 325th GIR captured the key town of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte.

The victory helped isolate German forces and opened the road toward Cherbourg.

June 15th in Airborne History

1. The 101st Airborne was transferred to a defensive role in Normandy (June 15, 1944)

After securing the Utah Beach exits, fighting through Saint-Côme-du-Mont, and capturing Carentan, the 101st Airborne Division was reassigned to a defensive mission under VIII Corps on June 15, 1944 before eventually returning to England for refit and preparation for future operations.

2. The 82nd Airborne was still deep in combat in Normandy (June 15, 1944)

While the 101st was transitioning to defense, the 82nd Airborne Division was still aggressively pushing west across the Cotentin Peninsula. Elements of the 325th GIR and 505th PIR were continuing attacks that would lead to the capture of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte the following day.

3. June 15 marks the final day of the initial U.S. airborne campaign phase in Normandy

Military historians often consider the period from D-Day (June 6) through June 15 as the primary airborne phase of Operation Neptune. By June 15, both the 82nd and 101st had completed their original objectives:

securing the Utah Beach exits,
capturing key bridges and causeways,
disrupting German reinforcements,
and helping establish the Allied foothold in Normandy.