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| 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment 509th Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:509_Inf_Rgt.png) 509th Infantry Regiment coat of arms | |
| Active | 1942–45 1947-present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Airborne forces |
| Role | Airborne infantry |
| Size | Two battalions |
| Part of | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:US_Army_JRTC_Flash.png){kind=small} Joint Readiness Training Centerand &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:US_Army_2nd_Brigade_Combat_Team-11th_Airborne_Division_Beret_Fash.png){kind=small} 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Johnson, Louisiana and Fort Richardson, Alaska |
| Nickname(s) | The Gingerbread Men Geronimo "G" Man |
| Motto(s) | All the Way / Geronimo |
| Colors | Black and gold |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | LTC Kyle Spade, USA |
| Notable commanders | Edson Raff Doyle Yardley William P. Yarborough |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:509_Inf_Rgt_DUI.png) |
| Beret flashes for 1st and 3rd Battalion | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:US_Army_509th_Inf_Reg_Flashes.png) |
| World War II pocket patch and beret flash | &sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Former_US_Army_509th_Parachute_Infantry_Regiment_patch.svg) |
| U.S. Infantry Regiments | ||||
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The 509th Infantry Regiment (previously the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment) is an airborne infantry regiment of the United States Army. The unit was initially activated as a single battalion, the 504th Parachute Infantry Battalion, in October 1941 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Nicknamed "Geronimo", the 509th conducted the U.S. Army's first combat jump during World War II on 8 November 1942, flying 1,500 miles from England to seize Tafarquay airport in Oran, Algeria.[1][2] The 509th made a total of five combat jumps during the war.
The 1st and 3rd Battalions remain active. 1st Battalion serves as the Opposing Force (OPFOR) at the U.S. Army's Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, while 3rd Battalion is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, at Fort Richardson, Alaska. The 509th operates independently from larger airborne units such as the 82nd Airborne Division.
- ^ Breuer, William B. (1989). Geronimo! American Paratroopers in World War II (First ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 5–6. ISBN 0-312-03350-8.
- ^ Raff, Edson D. (1944). We Jumped To Fight (First ed.). New York: Eagle Books. pp. 30–35.