B-Company 2nd 508th infantry

• D-Day Paratroopers: B-Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) was part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division that parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Neptune. • Red Devils Nickname: The 508th PIR earned the nickname "Red Devils" from the Germans, who respected their fierce fighting spirit and the red berets worn during operations. • Bravery at the Merderet River: Members of B-Company were involved in heavy fighting at the Merderet River, helping to secure critical crossings that enabled the Allies to advance inland from Utah Beach. • Market Garden Action: In September 1944, B-Company participated in Operation Market Garden, parachuting into the Netherlands to try to secure bridges and outflank German defenses. • Battle of the Bulge: The company fought in the bitter winter during the Battle of the Bulge, defending key positions in the Ardennes and helping to repel the last major German offensive in the West. • Decorated Unit: The 508th PIR, including B-Company, received the Presidential Unit Citation and the French Croix de Guerre for their actions in WWII. • First Combat Jump: The Normandy jump was the first combat experience for many in B-Company, who had trained extensively in the U.S. and England prior to the invasion. • Famous Members: B-Company's ranks included paratroopers who later became notable authors and historians, helping to preserve the legacy of the 508th PIR. • Reactivated for Modern Conflicts: The 2nd Battalion, 508th Infantry was reactivated in the 21st century and elements, including B-Company, have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the Global War on Terror. • Enduring Legacy: The legacy of B-Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th PIR is celebrated annually by veterans’ organizations, and the unit’s history is preserved at museums such as the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC.