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"Eagle Division"
The division insignia is a white eagle's head with a gold beak on a black shield. The design is based on an American Civil War tradition. The black shield recalls the "Iron Brigade", one of the forerunners of the 101st Division. One regiment of the brigade possessed the famous war eagle, "Old Abe", pictured on the shield, that went through 36 battles as a fierce, screaming mascot and was wounded twice. When the division was activated in 1942, the word "Airborne", in gold letters, was placed on a crescent-shaped black background and added to the top of the insignia.
[page 381]
See Also
Welcome to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)World War II Divisional Combat ChroniclesFive historical things to know about 101st on its anniversaryDivision History – 101st Airborne Division AssociationCOMMAND AND STAFF
Commanding General
| 15 Sep 43 | Maj. Gen. William C. Lee |
| 14 Mar 44 | Brig. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor |
| 31 May 44 | Maj. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor |
| 5 Dec 44 | Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe |
| 27 Dec 44 | Maj. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor |
Assistant Division Commander
| 15 Sep 43 | Brig. Gen. Don F. Pratt |
| 1 Aug 44 | Brig. Gen. Gerald J. Higgins |
Artillery Commander
| 15 Sep 43 | Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe |
| 5 Dec 44 | Col. Thomas L. Sherburne |
| 27 Dec 44 | Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe |
| 9 Feb 45 | Col. William N. Gillmore |
| 1 May 45 | Brig. Gen. William N. Gillmore |
Chief of Staff
| 15 Sep 43 | Col. Gerald J. Higgins |
| 11 Aug 44 | Lt. Col. Raymond D. Millener |
| 21 Oct 44 | Col. Raymond D. Millener |
| 8 Dec 44 | Lt. Col. Ned D. Moore (Acting) |
| 28 Dec 44 | Col. John H. Michaelis |
| 10 Feb 45 | Lt. Col. Ned D. Moore |
| 8 Mar 45 | Col. Ned D. Moore |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-1
| 15 Sep 43 | Lt. Col. Ned D. Moore |
| 14 Dec 44 | Maj. Frank R. Brower, Jr. (Acting) |
| 28 Dec 44 | Lt. Col. Ned D. Moore |
| 10 Feb 45 | Maj. Frank R. Brower, Jr. |
| 16 Apr 45 | Lt. Col. Frank R. Brower, Jr. |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-2
| 15 Sep 43 | Lt. Col. Ralph M. Neal |
| 17 Apr 44 | Maj. Arthur M. Sommerfield |
| 7 Jul 44 | Maj. Paul A. Danahy |
| 11 Nov 44 | Lt. Col. Paul A. Danahy |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-3
| 15 Sep 43 | Lt. Col. Raymond D. Millener |
| 1 Jul 44 | Lt. Col. Harold W. Hannah |
| 30 Sep 44 | Lt. Col. Col. Harry W. O. Kinnard, Jr. |
| 8 Mar 45 | Lt. Col. Charles H. Chase (Acting) |
| 16 Apr 45 | Col. Harry W. O. Kinnard, Jr. |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-4
| 15 Sep 43 | Lt. Col. Carl W. Kohls |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-5
| 6 May 44 | Maj. Glen C. Eberle |
| 18 Jun 44 | Maj. Charles H. Stephens |
| 30 Aug 44 | Maj. Ralph L. Blanchard |
| 9 Jan 45 | Capt. Robert S. Smith |
| 7 Mar 45 | Maj. George R. Dessaussure |
| 7 May 45 | Maj. Robert S. Smith |
Adjutant General
| 15 Sep 43 | Lt. Col. Edward Schmitt |
Commanding Officer, 327th Glider Infantry
| 15 Sep 43 | Col. George S. Wear |
| 10 Jun 44 | Col. Joseph H. Harper |
Commanding Officer, 501st Parachute Infantry
| 1 Feb 44 | Col. Howard R. Johnson |
| 7 Oct 44 | Col. Julian J. Ewell |
| 9 Jan 45 | Lt. Col. Robert A. Ballard |
| 30 Apr 45 | Col. Robert A. Ballard |
Commanding Officer, 502d Parachute Infantry
| 15 Sep 43 | Col. George V. H. Moseley |
| 9 Jun 44 | Col. J. H. Michaelis |
| 23 Sep 44 | Col. Steve A. Chappuis |
Commanding Officer, 506th Parachute Infantry
| 15 Sep 43 | Col. Robert F. Sink |
[pages 382 (through G-5)-383]
STATISTICS
Chronology
| Activated | 15 August 1942 |
| Arrived ETO | 15 September 1943 |
| Arrived Continent (D Day) | 6 June 1944 |
| Entered Combat | 6 June 1944 |
| Days in Combat | 214 |
Casualties (Tentative)
| Killed | 2,043 |
| Wounded | 7,976 |
| Missing | 1,193 |
| Captured | 336 |
| Battle Casualties | 11,548 |
| Non-Battle Casualties | |
| Total Casualties | |
| Percent of T/O Strength |
Campaigns
- Normandy
- Ardennes
- Rhineland
- Central Europe
Individual Awards
| Distinguished Service Cross | 47 |
| Legion of Merit | 12 |
| Silver Star | 516 |
| Soldiers Medal | 4 |
| Bronze Star | 6,977 |
| Air Medal | 46 |
Prisoners of War Taken 29,527
COMPOSITION
- 502d Parachute Infantry
- 506th Parachute Infantry [assigned in 1 Mar 45 reorganization]
- 327th Glider Infantry
- 401st Glider Infantry [disbanded in 1 Mar 45 reorganization]
- 101st Parachute Maintenance Battalion
- 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion
- 326th Airborne Medical Company
- 81st Airborne Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
- 101st Airborne Division Artillery
- 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion
- 377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
- 463d Parachute Field Artillery Battalion [assigned in 1 Mar 45 reorganization]
- 907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion
- Special Troops@
- 801st Ordnance Company
- 426th Quartermaster Company
- 101st Signal Company
- Military Police Platoon
- Headquarters Company
- Reconnaissance Platoon
- Band [assigned in 1 Mar 45 reorganization]
Headquarters Special Troops activated 1 Mar 45. Units previously directly under division.
[page 384]
See Also
101ste Airborne DivisieATTACHMENTS
Antiaircraft Artillery
| 1st Plat, Btry A, 474th AAA AW Bn (SP) | 9 Jun 44-11 Jun 44 |
| Br 502d Light AA Btry | -14 Nov 44 |
| 2 plats, Co B, 796th AAA AW Bn (SP) | 9 Jan 45-10 Jan 45 |
| Btrys A, B & C, 61st Abn AA Bn | 11 Jan 45-27 Feb 45 |
| 567 th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) | 23 Feb 45-27 Feb 45 |
| 2d Plat, Btry D, 910th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) | 5 May 45-9 May 45 |
Armored
| Co D, 70th Tk Bn | 6 Jun 44-16 Jun 44 |
| Co F, 70th Tk Bn | 7 Jun 44- |
| 1st Bn, 66th Armd Regt (2d Armd Div) | 17 Jun 44-26 Jun 44 |
| 759th Tk Bn | 28 Jun 44-8 Jul 44 |
| Br 44th Armd Regt (Br 4th Armd Bde) | 19 Sep 44-25 Sep 44 |
| Br 13/18 Hussars (Br 79th Armd Div) | 18 Oct 44-22 Oct 44 |
| Br 4/7 Dragoon Guards (Br 79th Armd Div) | 2 Nov 44-11 Nov 44 |
| 2d Tk Bn (9th Armd Div) | 19 Dec 44-30 Dec 44 |
| CC R (9th Armd Div) | 20 Dec 44-31 Dec 44 |
| CC B (10th Armd Div) | 20 Dec 44-18 Jan 45 |
| CC B (4th Armd Div) | 8 Jan 45-10 Jan 45 |
| Co A & 1st Plat, Co D, 781st Tk Bn | 26 Jan 45-28 Jan 45 |
| Co A, 47th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) | 5 Feb 45-14 Feb 45 |
| Co A & 3d Plat, Co D, 781st Tk Bn | 6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45 |
| 1st Plat, Co D, 47th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) | 7 Feb 45-13 Feb 45 |
| 2d Plat, Co D, 47th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) | 13 Feb 45-19 Feb 45 |
| Co B, 47th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) | 14 Feb 45-25 Feb 45 |
| 113th Tk Bn | 5 May 45-8 May 45 |
| 774th Tk Bn | 5 May 45-9 May 45 |
Cavalry
| 24th Cav Rcn Sq | 29 Jun 44-8 Jul 44 |
| 4th Cav Gp | 1 Jul 44-8 Jul 44 |
| Br 53d Rcn Regt (Br 53d Div) | 5 Oct 44-6 Oct 44 |
| Sqs A&B Br Royal Scots Greys | 6 Oct 44-7 Oct 44 |
| Br 61st Rcn Regt | 6 Oct 44-12 Oct 44 |
| Sq C Br Royal Scots Greys | 6 Oct 44-17 Oct 44 |
| Sq C Br 61st Rcn Regt | 10 Oct 44-12 Oct 44 |
| Br 53d Rcn Regt (Br 53d Div) | 13 Oct 44-19 Oct 44 |
| 101st Cav Gp | 5 May 45-9 May 45 |
| 116th Cav Rcn Sq | 8 May 45-9 May 45 |
Chemical
| Cos B&C, 87th Cml Mort Bn | 11 Jun 44-12 Jun 44 |
| Co B, 99th Cml Mort Bn | 5 May 45-8 May 45 |
Engineer
| 48th Engr C Bn | 5 May 45-9 May 45 |
Field Artillery
| 65th Armd FA Bn | 6 Jun 44-26 Jun 44 |
| 87th Armd FA Bn | 10 Jun 44-14 Jun 44 |
| 188th FA Bn (155 How) | 11 Jun 44-12 Jun 44 |
| 951st FA Bn (155 How) | 12 Jun 44-15 Jun 44 |
| 14th FA Abn Bn | 13 Jun 44-16 Jun 44 |
| Br 4th Royal Horse Field Arty Regt (RA) (Mecz) | 12 Oct 44-18 Oct 44 |
| Br 147th Field Arty Regt | 18 Oct 44- |
| Br 6th Field Arty Regt | 8 Nov 44- |
| 463d Prcht FA Bn | 18 Dec 44- |
| 755th FA Bn (155 How) | 19 Dec 44-12 Jan 45 |
| 969th FA Bn (155 How) | 19 Dec 44-12 Jan 45 |
| 775th FA Bn (4.5" Gun) | 19 Dec 44-15 Jan 45 |
| 333d FA Gp | 20 Dec 44-28 Dec 44 |
| 559th FA Bn (155 Gun) | 1 Jan 45-3 Jan 45 |
| 559th FA Bn (155 Gun) | 11 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| 687th FA Bn (105 How) | 12 Jan 45-18 Jan 45 |
| 770th FA Bn (4.5" Gun) | 13 Jan 45-14 Jan 45 |
| 463d Prcht FA Bn | 25 Feb 45-26 Feb 45 |
| 250th FA Gp | 7 Apr 45-11 Apr 45 |
| 790th FA Bn (8" How) | 7 Apr 45-11 Apr 45 |
| 942d FA Bn (155 How) | 7 Apr 45-17 Apr 45 |
| 490th FA Bn (155 How) | 10 Apr 45-17 Apr 45 |
| 805th FA Bn (155 How) | 12 Apr 45-17 Apr 45 |
| 529th FA Bn (8" How) | 14 Apr 45-17 Apr 45 |
| 791st FA Bn (8" How) | 15 Apr 45-17 Apr 45 |
| 969th FA Bn (155 How) | 5 May 45-7 May 45 |
| 522d FA Bn (105 How) | 5 May 45-7 May 45 |
| 342d Armd FA Bn | 8 May 45-9 May 45 |
Infantry
| 506th Prcht Inf | 15 Sep 43-becomes organic 1 Mar 45 |
| 501st Prcht Inf | Jan 44-still attached 9 May 45 |
| Br 5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Inf | 5 Oct 44- |
| Br Sherwood Rangers | 22 Oct 44-2 Nov 44 |
| Br Sherwood Rangers | 2 Nov 44 |
| Br 152d Brig (51st Highland Div) | 19 Nov 44-26 Nov 44 |
| 509th Prcht Inf Bn (Non-Div) | 22 Nov 44-18 Dec 44 |
| Task Force Higgins | 3 Jan 45-6 Jan 45 |
| 193d Gli Inf (17th Abn Div) | 3 Jan 45-7 Jan 45 |
| 193d Gli Inf (17th Abn Div) | 14 Jan 45-18 Jan 45 |
Tank Destroyer
| Br 304th AT Btry | 12 Oct 44-13 Oct 44 |
| Br 74th AT Btry | 9 Nov 44-13 Nov 44 |
| 705th TD Bn (SP) | 20 Dec 44-18 Jan 45 |
| Co B, 811th TD Bn (SP) | 3 Jan 45-11 Jan 45 |
| Cos B&C, 705th TD Bn (SP) | 3 Jan 45-11 Jan 45 |
| Co C (- 1 plat), 704th TD Bn (SP) | 4 Jan 45-6 Jan 45 |
| Co A, 602d TD Bn (SP) | 4 Jan 45-6 Jan 45 |
| 611th TD Bn | 6 Jan 45-7 Jan 45 |
| Co B (- 1 plat), 704th TD Bn (SP) | 9 Jan 45-11 Jan 45 |
| Co C, 609th TD Bn (SP) | 11 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| 807th TD Bn (SP) | 20 Jan 45-25 Feb 45 |
| 813th TD Bn (SP) | 5 May 45-9 May 45 |
Navy
| Prov Abn Naval Shore Fire Control Parties | 16 May 44- |
[pages 385-387]
DETACHMENTS
(Attached to)
Antiaircraft Artillery
| Btrys D, E & F, 81st Abn AA Bn | VII Corps | 6 Jun 44-11 Jun 44 |
Field Artillery
| 377th Prcht FA Bn | 100th Div | 25 Jan 45-28 Jan 45 |
Infantry
| 2d Bn, 401st Gli Inf | 82d Abn Div | 6 Jun 44-1 Mar 45 |
| 502d Prcht Inf | 82d Abn Div | 4 Oct 44-5 Oct 44 |
| 506th Prcht Inf | 4th Div | 2 May 45-3 May 45 |
[page 387]
ASSIGNMENT AND ATTACHMENT TO HIGHER UNITS
| DATE | CORPS | ARMY | ARMY GROUP | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assigned | Attached | Assigned | Attached | ||
| 21 Aug 43 | V | ETOUSA | |||
| 22 Oct 43 | - | First | |||
| 22 Jan 44 | VIII | First | |||
| 13 Mar 44 | First | - | |||
| 6 Jun 44 | VII | First | |||
| 15 Jun 44 | VIII | First | |||
| 15 Jul 44 | - | - | Ninth | ||
| 12 Aug 44 | XVIII Abn | First Allied Abn | - | ||
| 18 Sep 44 | Br XXX | First Allied Abn | Br Second | ||
| 21 Sep 44 | Br I ABN | First Allied Abn | Br Second | ||
| 23 Sep 44 | Br VIII | First Allied Abn | Br Second | ||
| 28 Sep 44 | Br XII | First Allied Abn | Br Second | ||
| 9 Nov 44 | Cdn II | First Allied Abn | Cdn First | ||
| 17 Dec 44 | VIII | First Allied Abn | Third | 12th | |
| 21 Dec 44 | VIII | First Allied Abn | Third | 12th | |
| 26 Dec 44 | III | First Allied Abn | Third | 12th | |
| 29 Dec 44 | VIII | First Allied Abn | Third | 12th | |
| 19 Jan 45 | - | First Allied Abn | Third | 12th | |
| 20 Jan 45 | XV | First Allied Abn | Seventh | 6th | |
| 26 Jan 45 | VI Opns | First Allied Abn | Seventh (Adm&Sup) | 6th | |
| 28 Feb 45 | XVIII Abn | First Allied Abn | - | - | - |
| 1 Apr 45 | XXII | First Allied Abn | Fifteenth | 12th | |
| 6 Apr 45 | - | First Allied Abn | 12th | ||
| 17 Apr 45 | XVIII Abn | First Allied Abn | Seventh | 6th | |
| 23 Apr 45 | VI | First Allied Abn | Seventh | 6th | |
| 4 May 45 | XXI | First Allied Abn | Seventh | 6th | |
(-) Indicates relieved from assignment.
[pages 388 (through 26 Dec 44)-389]
COMMAND POSTS
| DATE | TOWN | REGION | COUNTRY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 43 | Liverpool | Lancashire | England |
| 15 Sep 43 | Newbury (Greenham Lodge) | Berkshire | England |
| 6 Jun 44 | Hiesville | Manche | France |
| 12 Jun 44 | Carentan | Manche | France |
| 27 Jun 44 | St-Saveur-le-Vicomte | Manche | France |
| 29 Jun 44 | Cherbourg (5 mi S) | Manche | France |
| 15 Jul 44 | Newbury (Greenham Lodge) | Berkshire | England |
| 17 Sep 44 | Zon | Nord Brabant | Netherlands |
| 20 Sep 44 | St-Oedenrode | Nord Brabant | Netherlands |
| 24 Sep 44 | Vechel | Nord Brabant | Netherlands |
| 5 Oct 44 | Slik Ewjik | Nord Brabant | Netherlands |
| 1 Dec 44 | Mourmelon | Marne | France |
| 18 Dec 44 | Mande St-Etienne | Luxembourg | Belgium |
| 19 Dec 44 | Bastogne | Luxembourg | Belgium |
| 7 Jan 45 | Isle-le-Pre | Luxembourg | Belgium |
| 21 Jan 45 | Drulingen | Bas-Rhin | France |
| 25 Jan 45 | Hochfelden | Bas-Rhin | France |
| 28 Feb 45 | Mourmelon | Marne | France |
| 1 Apr 45 | Glehn | Rhineland | Germany |
| 24 Apr 45 | Merchingen | Wurttemberg | Germany |
| 27 Apr 45 | Memmingen | Bavaria | Germany |
| 1 May 45 | Kaufbeuren | Bavaria | Germany |
| 2 May 45 | Wolfratshausen | Bavaria | Germany |
| 4 May 45 | Miesbach | Bavaria | Germany |
[pages 390 (through 27 Apr 45)-391]
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