Back Where They Belong
 

"Band of Brothers" Re-Activated

CURRAHEE

Military Reactivates Historic 101st Airborne 'Band of Brothers' Unit for Iraq Deployment

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. ? The 101st Airborne Division on Thursday reactivated a historic unit whose actions during World War II and Vietnam were the subject of the book "Band of Brothers."
The 506th Regimental Combat Team ? also known as the "Currahees," a Cherokee Indian word meaning "stands alone" ? returned to the division just as its soldiers were completing final preparations to return to Iraq.

"Our Currahees have trained hard and are ready to join their brothers," Col. Thomas Vail, said as the unit's 3,500 soldiers stood behind him. "They are ready to sacrifice their personal comfort and safety to answer a call to duty."

The reactivation is part of the 101st Airborne Division's recent expansion from three to four brigade combat teams under a Pentagon plan to reorganize the Army into smaller, easily deployable units.

The 506th was among the first to land in Normandy during World War II (search). The Army deactivated and reactivated the unit several times, sending its soldiers to Korea and Vietnam, where the unit was critical to winning the battles on Hamburger Hill.

First Sgt. Edward Lawrence, the brigade's rear detachment commander, said the reactivation brings instant identity to a brigade whose current members have yet to be tested.

It gives these young soldiers the history that they know about. It gives them something to base all further accomplishments on," he said.
While long famous for its missions inside the military, little was known about the unit until Stephen E. Ambrose published "Band of Brothers" in 2001. The book was later adapted for an HBO miniseries.

Veterans attending the reactivation ceremony applauded when the brigade accepted the 506th flag.

"The unit's colors stay alive," said Brice Bickerton, of Clairton, Pa., a Vietnam veteran from the unit.

The deployment to Iraq later this fall will be the division's second; more than 60 soldiers based at Fort Campbell have died in the war.



from http://www.military.com/

Homie
 

Was that a button that just flew off your shirt ? Glad to hear this news

Bill
 

At the end of the article there is a " join the discussion" click where you can comment on this. Ain't no RVN Currahees made a comment yet. My good friend Frank Skokan was a Currahee. Stand Alone , Brother ! Pass a Ballentine please.

Thanks for the heads up Homie. I added my two cents worth to the discussion and I know Frank is lookin' down with a huge smile as the 506th became Screaming Eagles once again.

Ballentine for all!!!!!!

Godspeed 506th!

Trav

1st Battalion 506th Infantry
Lineage and Honors

LINEAGE

Constituted 1 July 1942 in the Army of the United States as Company A, 506th Parachute Infantry.

Activated 20 July 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia.
(506th Parachute Infantry assigned 1 March 1945 to the 101st Airborne Division)

Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France.

Redesignated 18 June 1948 as Company A, 506th Airborne Infantry.

Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army.

Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.

Inactivated 1 April 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.

Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.

Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.


Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
**Reorganized and re-designated 25 April 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 506th Infantry, and remained assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated)

Reorganized and re-designated 3 February 1964 as the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry.

Inactivated 5 June 1984 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division.

Assigned 16 March 1987 to the 2nd Infantry Division and activated in Korea.

And now reassigned to the 4th Brigade, 101st Airborne Divison


CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT

World War II
Normandy (with arrowhead)

Rhineland (with arrowhead)

Ardennes-Alsace

Central Europe


Vietnam

Counteroffensive, Phase III (1June 1967-29 Jan 1968)

Tet Counteroffensive (30 Jan-l Apr 1968)

Counteroffensive, Phase IV (2 Apr-30 Jun 1968)

Counteroffensive, Phase V (1 Jul-l Nov 1968)

Counteroffensive, Phase VI (2 Nov 1968- 22 Feb 1969)

Tet 69/Counteroffensive (23 Feb-8 Jun 1969)

Summer-Fall (9 Jun-31 Oct 1969)

Winter-Spring (1 Nov 1969-30 Apr 1970)

Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May-30 Jun 1970)

Counteroffensive, Phase VII (l Jul 1970-30 Jun 1971)

Consolidation I (1 Jul 1971 - 30 Nov 1971)

Consolidation II (1 Dec 1971 - 29 Mar 1972)

DECORATIONS

Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered NORMANDY

Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered BASTOGNE

Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN

Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered DEFENSE OF SAIGON
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968

French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II, Streamer embroidered NORMANDY

Netherlands Orange Lanyard

Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm, Streamer embroidered BASTOGNE; cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at Bastogne

Belgian Fourragere 1940; cited in the Order of the Day of the

Belgian Army for action in France and Belgium

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1969


Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1971

Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1968-1970

Note
On 15 March 1956, the 506th was re-designated as the 506th Airborne Infantry (Combat Group) under the plan called ROTAD, Reorganization of the Airborne Division. The 506th took part in the reactivation ceremonies for the 101st Division on 21 September 1956, at Fort Campbell.


2nd Battalion 506th Infantry
Lineage and Honors

LINEAGE
Constituted 1 July 1942 in the Army of the United States as Company B, 506th Parachute Infantry.
Activated 20 July 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia.
(506th Parachute Infantry assigned 1 March 1945 to the 101st Airborne Division)
Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France.
Redesignated 18 June 1948 as Company B, 506th Airborne Infantry.
Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army.
Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.
Inactivated 1 April 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.
Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.
Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky.
Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
**Inactivated 25 April 1957 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division; concurrently reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 506th Infantry.
Re-designated 21 January 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (organic elements concurrently constituted).
Battalion activated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Inactivated 31 July 1972 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and relieved from assignment to the 101st Airborne Division.

The 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry has the same honors and campaign credit as the 1st Battalion

And now reactivated and reassigned to the 4th Brigade, 101st Airborne Division


Sorry guys and girls for all this 506th Infantry stuff but I'm just so damn proud today

CURRAHEE

You ought to be Homie

What happened to the 501st, I was with the 501st my last duty station in the Army at Fort Campbell with Chargin Charlie Company Dec 1977

RJ

What battalion of the 501st? 1st or 2nd

1st Battalion C-1/501st