1:502nd Infantry

The 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment (1/502nd Infantry), known as the "First Strike," is a distinguished unit of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Activated during World War II, the 502nd parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, playing a critical role in the liberation of France and subsequent European campaigns. The battalion later saw combat in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning numerous unit citations for valor. Today, the 1/502nd continues its legacy of rapid deployment and excellence in air assault operations.