517th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
During World War II
, the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment (517th PIR) was a separate infantry regiment
of the United States Army
, at times attached to the 17th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division and later, the 13th Airborne Division.
During most of their combat, the unit was an independent combined force of 17th Airborne troops called the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team
or 517th PRCT / PCT / RCT.
The unit formed in early 1943 and trained at Camp Toccoa
, Georgia
. The 517th saw heavy fighting in Italy
in June 1944, before being transferred to take part in Operation Dragoon
in August 1944, in Southern France, which happened to be their first combat jump. Following the liberation of France, the 517th was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division and fought with it in Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge
. Following the end of World War II, the 517th was assigned to Fort Bragg
, North Carolina, where the unit was inactivated on 25 February, 1946.
, which was charged with the assault on Southern France. The assault was set for 0800 on August 15, 1944, however, the 517th dropped early at 0328 on the 15th. After three days of heavy fighting around the towns of Le Muy
, Les Arcs, La Motte and Draguignan
, German resistance ceased. For their participation in Operation Dragoon
and the subsequent liberation of France, the 517th PIR was awarded the French Croix de Guerre by the Provisional Government of the French Republic
.
following the liberation of France, along with the 82nd, 101st
, and 13th Airborne Divisions. Elements of the 517th participated in counter-attacks near the Belgian towns of Soy, Sur-Les-Hys, Hotton
, and Manhay
, pushing the German offensive past its starting point. The 517th suffered heavy casualties in the ferocious fighting during the battle, during which 1st Battalion, 517th received the Presidential Unit Citation
for its successful assault on Soy and Hotton.
, the 517th PIR was assigned to the 13th Airborne Division, to take part in Operation Varsity
, the airborne crossing of the Rhine river. However, prior to the operation, the 13th's participation in the attack was called off. The 517th, then attached to the 17th Airborne Division, was slated to take part in Operation Coronet, the airborne invasion of the Japanese Home Islands, which was also called off after V-J Day
.
The battalion casualty rate was 81.9 percent. The Team suffered 1,576 casualties and had 247 men killed in action.
PFC Melvin E. Biddle
B/1/517th PIR was awarded the Medal of Honor
for heroic actions during the Soy-Hotton engagement.
On February 15, 1945, elements of the RCT were assigned to the 13th Airborne Division. The 13th was inactivated in February 1946.
In addition to the one Medal of Honor
, troopers of the 517th PRCT earned 6 Distinguished Service Crosses
, 131 Silver Star
s, 631 Bronze Stars
, 1,576 Purple Heart
s, 5 Legion of Merit
s, 4 Soldier's Medal
s, 2 Air Medal
s and 17 French Croix de Guerres.
Charles "Dutch" Wilmerton
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment (517th PIR) was a separate infantry regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, at times attached to the 17th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division and later, the 13th Airborne Division.
During most of their combat, the unit was an independent combined force of 17th Airborne troops called the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team
517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team
The 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team , one of the U.S. Army's first elite combat units, began its existence in March 1943, training at Camp Toccoa in the backwoods of Georgia...
or 517th PRCT / PCT / RCT.
The unit formed in early 1943 and trained at Camp Toccoa
Camp Toccoa
Camp Toccoa was a United States Army paratrooper training camp during World War II west of Toccoa, Georgia. It was first planned in 1938, constructed by the Georgia National Guard and the Works Projects Administration beginning 17 January 1940, and was dedicated 14 December 1940. The U.S. Army...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The 517th saw heavy fighting in Italy
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
in June 1944, before being transferred to take part in Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon was the Allied invasion of southern France on August 15, 1944, during World War II. The invasion was initiated via a parachute drop by the 1st Airborne Task Force, followed by an amphibious assault by elements of the U.S. Seventh Army, followed a day later by a force made up...
in August 1944, in Southern France, which happened to be their first combat jump. Following the liberation of France, the 517th was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division and fought with it in Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
. Following the end of World War II, the 517th was assigned to Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, North Carolina, where the unit was inactivated on 25 February, 1946.
Operation Dragoon
The 517th was one of three parachute infantry regiments assigned to the First Airborne Task Force1st Airborne Task Force (United States)
The 1st Airborne Task Force was an short-lived Allied airborne unit created for "Operation Dragoon" – the invasion of Southern France. Formed in July 1944, under the command of Major General Robert T. Frederick it took part in the "Dragoon" landings on 15 August 1944, securing the area north-west...
, which was charged with the assault on Southern France. The assault was set for 0800 on August 15, 1944, however, the 517th dropped early at 0328 on the 15th. After three days of heavy fighting around the towns of Le Muy
Le Muy
Le Muy is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It was one of the first places to be liberated in the Allied invasion of Southern France in August 1944.It lies near Draguignan and Saint-Tropez....
, Les Arcs, La Motte and Draguignan
Draguignan
Draguignan is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, in southeastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department and self-proclaimed "capital of Artillery" and "Porte du Verdon".The city is only from St...
, German resistance ceased. For their participation in Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon was the Allied invasion of southern France on August 15, 1944, during World War II. The invasion was initiated via a parachute drop by the 1st Airborne Task Force, followed by an amphibious assault by elements of the U.S. Seventh Army, followed a day later by a force made up...
and the subsequent liberation of France, the 517th PIR was awarded the French Croix de Guerre by the Provisional Government of the French Republic
Provisional Government of the French Republic
The Provisional Government of the French Republic was an interim government which governed France from 1944 to 1946, following the fall of Vichy France and prior to the Fourth French Republic....
.
Battle Of The Bulge
The 517th was attached to the XVIII Airborne CorpsU.S. XVIII Airborne Corps
The XVIII Airborne Corps is the corps of the United States Army designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world. It is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps". Its headquarters are at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.-World War II:...
following the liberation of France, along with the 82nd, 101st
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
, and 13th Airborne Divisions. Elements of the 517th participated in counter-attacks near the Belgian towns of Soy, Sur-Les-Hys, Hotton
Hotton
Hotton is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the province of Luxembourg.thumb|left|The Faber watermill on the Ourthe river.Hotton is known for its speleothem caves, known as the Caves of Hotton. A small Commonwealth war cemetery is also situated just outside of Hotton....
, and Manhay
Manhay
Manhay is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the province of Luxembourg.On 1 January 2007 the municipality, which covers 119.81 km², had 3,185 inhabitants, giving a population density of 26.6 inhabitants per km²....
, pushing the German offensive past its starting point. The 517th suffered heavy casualties in the ferocious fighting during the battle, during which 1st Battalion, 517th received the Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (US)
The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
for its successful assault on Soy and Hotton.
Last Days of WWII
Following the Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, the 517th PIR was assigned to the 13th Airborne Division, to take part in Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
, the airborne crossing of the Rhine river. However, prior to the operation, the 13th's participation in the attack was called off. The 517th, then attached to the 17th Airborne Division, was slated to take part in Operation Coronet, the airborne invasion of the Japanese Home Islands, which was also called off after V-J Day
Victory over Japan Day
Victory over Japan Day is a name chosen for the day on which the Surrender of Japan occurred, effectively ending World War II, and subsequent anniversaries of that event...
.
Statistics
The 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team accumulated over 150 combat days during five campaigns on battlefields in Italy, France, Belgium and Germany.The battalion casualty rate was 81.9 percent. The Team suffered 1,576 casualties and had 247 men killed in action.
PFC Melvin E. Biddle
Melvin E. Biddle
-External links:...
B/1/517th PIR was awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for heroic actions during the Soy-Hotton engagement.
On February 15, 1945, elements of the RCT were assigned to the 13th Airborne Division. The 13th was inactivated in February 1946.
In addition to the one Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, troopers of the 517th PRCT earned 6 Distinguished Service Crosses
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, 131 Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
s, 631 Bronze Stars
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, 1,576 Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s, 5 Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
s, 4 Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...
s, 2 Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s and 17 French Croix de Guerres.
Notable soldiers of the 517th
- Louis A. Walsh, Jr., the first Commanding Officer of the 517th
- Rupert D. Graves, succeeded Lou Walsh as the 517th's CO and led the outfit throughout its combat career
- William J. "Bill" Boyle, led the 1st Battalion
- Richard J. "Dick" SeitzRichard J. SeitzLieutenant General Richard “Dick” Joe Seitz during a 35-year career as an Army officer and Paratrooper commanded the 2nd Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II, the 82nd Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps.-Family and Education:Seitz and his brother, Brigadier...
, led the 2nd Battalion. He later went on to become a Lt. General, commanding Fort BraggFort Bragg, North CarolinaFort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the XVIII Airborne Corps. - Melvin ZaisMelvin ZaisGeneral Melvin Zais was a United States Army general.General Zais attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. In 1937 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He attended the U.S...
, commanded the 3rd Battalion and then became executive officer for the Regimental Combat Team. He went on to become Commanding General of the U.S. Third Army. - Lt. John A. "Boom Boom" Alicki, a veteran of Pearl HarborAttack on Pearl HarborThe attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, handled the indoctrination of the 517th recruits at Camp ToccoaCamp ToccoaCamp Toccoa was a United States Army paratrooper training camp during World War II west of Toccoa, Georgia. It was first planned in 1938, constructed by the Georgia National Guard and the Works Projects Administration beginning 17 January 1940, and was dedicated 14 December 1940. The U.S. Army...
. - Melvin E. BiddleMelvin E. Biddle-External links:...
, B Company, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient. - George W. DunawayGeorge W. DunawayGeorge W. Dunaway was the second Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on September 1, 1968 and served until his term ended in September 1970...
became the 2nd Sergeant Major of the ArmySergeant Major of the ArmyThe Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the United States Army. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member of the Army, unless an Army NCO is serving as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, when in that case that NCO will be the most senior...
from 1968 to 1970, the highest ranking enlisted man in the Army. - David E. Grange, Jr., Commanding General, Sixth U.S. Army
- Richard J. Eaton, a Corporal with A Company, went on to become a Brigadier General and inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame
- Terry SanfordTerry SanfordJames Terry Sanford was a United States politician and educator from North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, Sanford was the 65th Governor of North Carolina , a two-time U.S. Presidential candidate in the 1970s and a U.S. Senator...
, an FBI agent, joined the 517th. He later became state legislator, lawyer, author of several books, Governor of North CarolinaNorth CarolinaNorth Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, U.S. senator, Duke UniversityDuke UniversityDuke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
president, and two-time presidential candidate. - Dick Spencer III, reporter and artist, and creator of the Battling Buzzards logo
- Merv Connors, minor league baseball player
- William Gutbrod, head football coach at Cleveland St. Joseph High School of Cleveland, OH from 1950 to 1990 and also Gilmour Academy of Gates Mills, OH from 1991 to 1997. He is the 3rd all time winningest coach in Ohio High School Football with 310 wins. Entered the Ohio High School Hall of Fame in 1986.
Charles "Dutch" Wilmerton
External links
- 517th Veterans Home Page
- 517th Unit History
- Paratroopers' Odyssey: A History of the 517th Parachute Combat Teamhttp://www.517prct.org/documents/odyssey/paratroopers_odyssey.htm