About this Unit
The 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment (1/501st ABN INF), known as "Geronimo," was originally activated in 1942 as part of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. The battalion distinguished itself in major campaigns including Normandy (D-Day), Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. After World War II, the unit served in Vietnam, earning commendations for its actions during the Tet Offensive and other key battles. Today, the 1/501st remains an integral part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska, maintaining its legacy as an elite airborne infantry unit.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (1/501st ABN INF) was activated on November 15, 1942, at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, as part of the famed 101st Airborne Division.
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D-Day Airborne Assault: The unit made its combat debut during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, parachuting into Normandy ahead of the seaborne invasion.
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Battle of Carentan: The 1/501st played a vital role in the liberation of Carentan, a key objective in Normandy that linked Utah and Omaha beaches and secured the Allied beachhead.
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Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge: In December 1944, the battalion was surrounded with the rest of the 101st Airborne in Bastogne, Belgium, holding out against German forces in one of WWII’s most famous defensive actions.
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Vietnam War Service: Reactivated for Vietnam, the 1/501st served with distinction from 1967 to 1972, participating in major operations such as the Battle of Hamburger Hill.
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Valorous Unit Award: The battalion has received multiple unit citations, including the Presidential Unit Citation and the Valorous Unit Award for extraordinary heroism in combat.
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Alaska Assignment: Since the 1980s, the 1/501st has been based at Fort Richardson, Alaska, becoming one of the U.S. Army’s premier Arctic airborne infantry units.
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Global War on Terror Deployments: The unit has deployed multiple times to Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, conducting air assault and counterinsurgency missions.
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Nickname “Geronimo”: The regiment’s nickname, “Geronimo,” honors the famous Apache leader and was adopted after a paratrooper shouted his name during a training jump in 1940s.
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Distinctive Insignia: The unit’s insignia features a red, white, and blue shield with a parachute and a bayonet, symbolizing its airborne and infantry heritage.
