82 airborne C company 2nd 508

• World War II Origins: C Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was activated in October 1942 at Camp Blanding, Florida, becoming part of the legendary 82nd Airborne Division. • D-Day Parachute Drop: On June 6, 1944, C Company jumped into Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion, landing near Sainte-Mère-Église and engaging in fierce fighting behind enemy lines. • Red Devils Nickname: The 508th PIR earned the nickname "Red Devils" from German soldiers, referencing their tenacity and the red berets some paratroopers wore during training. • Market Garden Operations: C Company participated in Operation Market Garden in September 1944, parachuting into the Netherlands to seize key bridges and towns. • Battles of the Bulge: The unit fought valiantly during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, helping to halt the German advance in the Ardennes. • Medal of Honor Recipient: Private John Towle of C Company was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions during Operation Market Garden in Nijmegen, Netherlands. • Longest Combat Jump: The 508th’s Normandy jump was one of the longest conducted by American paratroopers, with some troopers landing over 18 miles from their intended drop zone. • Cold War Reactivation: After WWII, the 508th was deactivated, but elements like C Company were reactivated during the Cold War and served in both training and active roles. • Modern Deployments: In the 21st century, C Company has deployed as part of the Global War on Terror, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, upholding the 82nd Airborne’s rapid deployment legacy. • Regimental Legacy: The 508th PIR’s legacy is preserved and honored today by veterans’ associations and annual reunions, with C Company veterans sharing their stories to inspire new generations of paratroopers.