2nd Airborne Battle Group 187 Inf

• Origins in World War II: The lineage of the 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry traces back to the famed 187th Glider Infantry Regiment, activated in 1943 and participating in major WWII operations including the Philippines Campaign and the occupation of Japan. • Korean War Valor: As the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team ("Rakkasans"), the unit made two combat jumps in Korea, at Sukchon and Munsan-ni, earning a distinguished reputation. • Battle Group Reorganization: In 1957, as part of the Pentomic reorganization, the 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry was activated, carrying forward the Rakkasan heritage within the 101st Airborne Division. • Bastogne Connection: The 2nd ABG, 187th Infantry was part of the 101st Airborne Division, famously known as the "Screaming Eagles," who held Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. • “Rakkasan” Nickname: The nickname "Rakkasan" (meaning "parachute man" in Japanese) was bestowed during the post-WWII occupation of Japan, and the 187th has used it proudly ever since. • Cold War Service: The 2nd ABG, 187th Infantry was part of the United States’ rapid deployment forces, ready to respond to Soviet threats in Europe during the tense years of the Cold War. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 187th’s insignia features a red torii gate, symbolizing its service in the Pacific and its time in Japan. • Deactivation and Legacy: The 2nd ABG, 187th Infantry was inactivated in 1963, but its lineage continues in today’s 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, part of the modern 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). • Presidential Unit Citations: The unit and its antecedents have received several Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism in action, particularly during the Korean War. • Rakkasans in Pop Culture: The Rakkasans are referenced in books, documentaries, and even films, highlighting their storied past and elite status within the airborne community.