506th Airborne Regiment: Top 10 Cool Facts -

While the title of this post may “throw you” slightly if you are familiar with the 506^th, the fact is, they were an airborne regiment. But they were called a Parachute Infantry Regiment.

So airborne… parachute… Same thing.

I am going to provide you with 10 cool facts about the 506^th Airborne Regiment.

#1: The Beginning

The 506^th Airborne Regiment was started in 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. This was during World War II, so those who joined the 506^th knew they would soon see action against allied enemies.

#2: Band Of Brothers

Both a book and an HBO miniseries called Band Of Brothers was based upon Easy Company of the 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you do.

#3: The Initial Commander

Known for excellent leadership that made boys into men, the command of the 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment was given to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Sink. Sink trained the men hard to ensure they would be at their best when at battle.

#4: Their Own Website

The 506^th Airborne Regiment has their own website… The Currahee website can be found here.

#5: Normandy

In the plan of the invasion of Normandy, the 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment had an important mission. They were to parachute into enemy controlled territory on the North end of the invasion site. They would then be tasked with taking out enemy defenses.

I highly suggest you read the full account of the 506th’s actions at Normandy. You can read it here.

#6: Campaigns

The 506^th Airborne Regiment has been involved in many campaigns:

World War II

*Normandy

*Rhineland

*Ardennes-Alsace

*Central Europe

Vietnam

*Counteroffensive, Phase III

*Tet Counteroffensive

*Counteroffensive, Phase IV

*Counteroffensive, Phase V

*and, Counteroffensive, Phase VI

*Tet 69/Counteroffensive

*Summer-Fall 1969

*Winter-Spring 1970

*Sanctuary Counteroffensive

*Counteroffensive, Phase VII

*Consolidation I

*Consolidation II

War on Terrorism

*Iraqi Governance

*National Resolution

#7: Record March

Colonel Sink, while training the 506^th, had read of a record march by the Japanese. He wanted his men to beat that record. Sink had his men march from Camp Toccoa to Atlanta, Georgia. It was a total of 118 miles.

#8: Current Garrison

The 506^th now calls Fort Campbell, Kentucky their home.

#9: Nickname

The nickname of the 506^th is Currahee. It came from the Currahee mountains near Camp Toccoa that the men had to run up.

Currahee is Cherokee for “Stands Alone.”

#10: Unit Decorations

The 506^th has many decorations to show that they went above and beyond:

4 Presidential Unit Citations
2 Valorous Unit Awards
Meritorious Unit Award
5 Commendations
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Netherlands Orange Lanyard
Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm
and a Belgian Fourragere

Final Thoughts

The 506^th has an amazing history and any soldier who is attached to them has much to tell their family.

Be sure and check out the reference links for a lot more great info on the 506^th and give a shout out if you are a member of Currahee.

Thanks and have a great day.

Sincerely,

Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com

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506th Airborne Regiment: Top 10 Cool Facts