101st Airborne Division Patch

Formation & Origins Activated August 16, 1942, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. Created as part of the U.S. Army's airborne initiative during WWII. Iconic patch features bald eagle's head in white on black shield background, designed by Captain Alvin Gellman. Eagle's beak open in defiant scream, symbolizing ferocity in combat.

Notable Commanders Major General William C. Lee ("Father of the Airborne") as first commander. General Maxwell Taylor led division during D-Day and Holland operations. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe issued famous "NUTS!" response to German surrender demand at Bastogne. Notable modern commanders included General David Petraeus and General Colin Powell.

Major Campaigns/Operations WWII: D-Day jumps at Normandy, Operation Market Garden in Holland, Battle of the Bulge defense at Bastogne. Vietnam: intense fighting in Ia Drang Valley, Hamburger Hill, and A Shau Valley. Persian Gulf War: deep helicopter assaults 150+ miles into Iraq. Afghanistan: Operation Anaconda and counter-insurgency operations. Iraq: seizure of Mosul, counter-insurgency operations in northern Iraq.

Specialized Role/Equipment Transformed from parachute infantry to air assault division in 1974. Pioneer of helicopter warfare tactics. Currently operates as air assault force using Black Hawk, Chinook, and Apache helicopters. Maintains capacity for rapid deployment worldwide within 36 hours. Special equipment includes air-droppable vehicles and artillery.

Acts of Heroism At Normandy, Lieutenant Richard Winters led attack on German artillery battery with just 12 men. During Battle of the Bulge, surrounded division held Bastogne for week without supplies in brutal winter conditions. In Vietnam, Staff Sergeant Walter Sabalauski held position against overwhelming enemy forces for 18 hours. In Iraq, division executed longest air assault mission in history (March 2003). In Afghanistan, fought in brutal mountain combat against Taliban strongholds.

Legacy & Notable Achievements Only air assault division in world. Nickname "Rendezvous With Destiny" comes from original activation speech. Featured in "Band of Brothers" depicting Easy Company's exploits. Division's defense of Bastogne recognized as defining moment of WWII's European Theater. Most decorated air assault division in U.S. Army. Screaming Eagle patch among most recognized military symbols worldwide. Maintained continuous deployment rotation during War on Terror. Distinguished as unit that captured Saddam Hussein in 2003. Known for "Bastogne spirit" of tenacity under impossible conditions.