82nd Airborne Division Paraglider Designated Unit Patch Enlisted

82nd Airborne Division Paraglider Designated Unit Patch Enlisted (U.S. Army) 2.0" x 2.0" Embroidered Patch with Iron-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.

Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.

Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.

Versatile Use: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality. 

Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
The 82nd Airborne Division came into existence on August 25, 1917, during the United States’ rapid military expansion for World War I. Established at Camp Gordon, Georgia, it was unique in its makeup: men from every state in the Union, an all-American composition that gave the division its enduring nickname, “All American.” This identity would be visually immortalized in the division’s now-iconic shoulder patch—a simple, powerful red, white, and blue “AA” encased in a circle.

After deactivation following the Great War, the 82nd was reactivated in March 1942 as part of America’s urgent mobilization during World War II. That same year, it became the first division in U.S. Army history designated as airborne. The division adopted parachute and glider infantry tactics, developing a new style of warfare centered on surprise, vertical envelopment, and high-risk insertion behind enemy lines. The paratrooper’s patch retained the “AA” center, but above it, soldiers assigned to the airborne division wore a tab reading “AIRBORNE.” The glider-qualified troops, often overlooked today, wore the winged parachute or paraglider insignia, signifying their role as elite forces delivered silently and dangerously into enemy territory via unpowered gliders.

Notable Commanders
One of the division’s foundational leaders was Major General Matthew B. Ridgway, who took command in the early days of World War II and molded the 82nd into a precision airborne strike force. Ridgway’s leadership style was gritty and close to the ground—he often jumped with his men into combat zones, wearing grenades and first-aid gear strapped to his gear like any other trooper. Under Ridgway, discipline, training, and a fierce sense of unity became hallmarks of the unit.

Following Ridgway, Major General James Gavin took over. Nicknamed “The Jumping General,” Gavin was just 37 when he assumed command. He jumped into combat in Sicily, Normandy, and Holland, becoming a legend among his troops. He insisted on modernization, fought against racial segregation in the Army, and later became a national figure advocating for reform and innovation within the military.

In more recent years, the division has produced numerous general officers who would go on to influence both military doctrine and national strategy. Their experience within the 82nd instilled a mindset of speed, agility, and decisive action that would shape commands at every level of the U.S. Army.

Major Campaigns/Operations
The 82nd’s first combat action as an airborne division came in July 1943, during the invasion of Sicily in Operation Husky. The drop was chaotic—scattered landings, friendly fire incidents, and intense German resistance—but it marked the beginning of a new form of warfare. The division followed this with an airborne assault during the Salerno campaign in Italy, again proving the value of rapid, vertical infantry deployment.

Their most famous moment arrived on June 6, 1944—D-Day. The 82nd jumped behind enemy lines in the early hours of the invasion, tasked with securing bridges, towns, and roads critical to the Allied advance. In places like Sainte-Mère-Église, they fought ferociously, often in isolated groups, against entrenched German defenders. Days turned into weeks of hard fighting before they were relieved.

Later in 1944, the 82nd jumped into the Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden, fighting to secure key river crossings and hold ground against fierce counterattacks. Then, in December, during the Battle of the Bulge, the division was rushed into Belgium to block the German advance. In subzero temperatures and brutal conditions, the 82nd held the line at places like St. Vith, proving itself once again as the Army’s most reliable shock force.

In the postwar years, the 82nd became the spearhead of American rapid response. From the Dominican Republic in 1965 to Grenada in 1983, Panama in 1989, and Iraq in 1991, the 82nd was always among the first boots on the ground. After the 9/11 attacks, elements of the division deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, conducting everything from air assaults and counterinsurgency to security and disaster relief. In modern conflicts, the 82nd has been present in Syria, Africa, and Europe, always positioned to deploy within 18 hours to any hotspot on the globe.

Specialized Role/Equipment
The 82nd Airborne Division is the Army’s primary Global Response Force. That means when a crisis breaks out, the call doesn’t go to tanks or ships—it goes to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, where the 82nd is stationed. Within hours, a brigade combat team can be packed, loaded, and airborne, prepared to jump into an uncertain and hostile situation.

Paratroopers in the 82nd are required to complete Airborne School at Fort Moore, where they learn how to exit aircraft in flight, control their descent under parachute, and assemble quickly upon landing. They’re trained to operate in darkness, against superior numbers, often with only what they carry on their backs. The paraglider insignia—though its practical use faded after World War II—remains a proud heritage symbol. It represents soldiers trained to be delivered by air, with no retreat and no support except what they can bring in their packs and deliver with their courage.

Weapons and equipment carried by the 82nd include the M4 Carbine, advanced body armor, night vision optics, communications gear, and everything needed for sustained combat without immediate resupply. Paratroopers may jump with anti-tank weapons, machine guns, mortar systems, and communications arrays, depending on the mission profile. Support equipment—including artillery, vehicles, and logistics—can be delivered shortly after the main drop, assuming the division has secured an airhead or drop zone.

Acts of Heroism
The 82nd’s record of valor is long and storied. One of the earliest legends was Sergeant Alvin York, whose single-handed destruction of a German machine gun nest and capture of over a hundred enemy soldiers in World War I brought the division its first Medal of Honor and laid the foundation of its warrior ethos.

During World War II, Private First Class Charles N. DeGlopper gave his life during the Normandy campaign, holding off German forces with his automatic rifle so that his platoon could escape a deadly ambush. He stood alone in an open field, mortally wounded, refusing to stop firing until he was cut down.

Private Joe Gandara received the Medal of Honor for charging a German machine-gun position during fighting in France, allowing his unit to advance. In more recent conflicts, acts of bravery have taken place in urban combat, roadside ambushes, and during complex airborne missions deep into hostile territory. These moments are often recognized with Silver Stars and Bronze Stars, but the culture of the division tends to place equal value on the unsung acts—the paratrooper who held the line, rescued a comrade, or made a stand when it mattered most.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
The 82nd Airborne Division is more than a fighting force—it is a living embodiment of American resolve. With a history spanning over a century, it has fought in every major conflict and stood ready through every national emergency. Its patch—the red “AA” on blue—worn with the airborne tab and historically linked paraglider symbol, is recognized across the military and the world as a mark of elite readiness.

The division’s legacy is not just in battle—it’s in the ethos it has cultivated. Discipline, unity, physical toughness, and an unshakeable sense of mission are woven into its fabric. It has trained generations of military leaders and continues to be the unit most likely to be called when the situation is dire and time is short.

“All the Way!” is not just a slogan. It’s the mindset of the paratrooper who knows he may jump into darkness, behind enemy lines, outnumbered and outgunned—but he will fight, hold, and endure until the mission is done.