1st Battalion - 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment
"Geronimo"
On order, 1st Battalion 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, deploys rapidly within the Pacific Theater, or elsewhere as directed, to conduct military operations in support of the US national interests.
The 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment is an elite unit, making its first combat jump into Normandy five hours before the seaborne landings of 6 June 1944. The unit was scattered, forcing groups of Paratroopers to fight individual actions aginst German defense plans and protected the beaches from German counter-attacks. The 501st was awarded its first Presidential Unit Citation for this action.
The 501st made its second combat jump into Holland on 17 September, 1944 to protect the advance of British forces on the way to Arnheim during operation Market Garden.
The 501st was the first Battalion into Bastogne; hand-picked to spearhead the assault which halted Germany's last major offensive of World War II.
Outnumbered four to one, critically low on supplies, the 501st showed extraordinary heroism and gallantry at Bastogne 22-27 December, 1944. Completely isolated, the 501st and other units from the 10st Airborne Division repulsed constant attacks from elements of eight German divisions. For this action, the 501st was awarded the Belgian Fourragere and its second Presidential Unit Citation.
The regiment deployed to Vietnam from December 1967 through February 1972. While there, it participated in twelve campaigns and produced two Medal of Honor winners.
After Vietnam, the unit was deactivated 5 June,1984.
On 1 October, 1989, the 1st Battalion (Airborne) 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment was reactivated.
Two years after the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), B Battery, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment (B/377 PFAR) and Task Force (TF) 1-501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)— TF Geronimo — deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Upon deployment, the question was how to effectively employ cannon artillery and get the guns into the fight. The battery leadership studied the enemy, terrain, culture and many lessons learned from the 101st and 82d Airborne Divisions and 10th Mountain Division during their OEF tenures.
Prior to July 2005, the unit was subordinated to the 172nd Infantry Brigade.
