When soldiers are asked why they volunteered for the paratroopers, their responses come in many forms. Many men signed up to be in the Airborne Continue Reading
Filthy Thirteen: Symbol of American Fighting Spirit
Units in the Airborne Divisions portrayed characteristics and a culture symbolic and unique to paratroopers. A demolition section attached to the Continue Reading
D-Day & Beyond: Land of the Free Because of the Brave
D-Day is certainly a day to be celebrated; but it is also important to recognize, for those who survived the jumps and beach landings, that day was Continue Reading
“WHOLE”
The bed draws in, the vortex hums,A coffin’s whisper in a temporary tomb.He slides inside the MRI,A long, low moan like men who dieWith open eyes and Continue Reading
American Airborne: Surprise & Deception
On May 29, 1944, the commander in chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Forces, Air Chief Marshall Trafford Leigh-Mallory, expressed his concerns to Continue Reading
Bittersweet Season: Death and Resurrection
Flowers are blooming, and buds are emerging from tree branches. In Ohio, that means it’s below freezing at night and somewhere between last winter and Continue Reading
Battle of the Bridge: A Company, 1-505th at La Fiere Bridge
75 years ago, units of the American Paratroopers had already landed behind German lines in France. One such unit was the 505thParachute Infantry Continue Reading
The Boys of Pointe du Hoc: Rangers Lead the Way
"These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the Continue Reading
Roots of Airborne Success: The Parachute Test Platoon
The American Airborne concept first suggested in World War I, became a need heading into World War II. The war started years before direct American Continue Reading
9 Ways to Keep the Faith on Veterans Day: A Ranger’s Never-Ending Mission
Some aspects of war transcend time; a Soldier’s mind is one of them. A few years ago, my grandmother gave me a stationary notepad my Continue Reading
21 Tips Before Your 1st Salute
You are about to embark on the beginning of your career. I wanted to share some things I’ve learned through experience to “put in your rucksack” as Continue Reading
Afghanistan Knocked Me Down – Faith Picked Me Up
On the 25th of April, 2012, I experienced a rare, but significant tactical defeat in Afghanistan. Since then, my career and outlook stem from the Continue Reading