III 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 233 

Designating August 16, 2017, as ‘‘National Airborne Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 26, 2017 

Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Mr. PETERS, and Mr. TESTER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating August 16, 2017, as ‘‘National Airborne Day’’. 

Whereas the members of the airborne forces of the Armed 

Forces of the United States have a long and honorable 

history as bold and fierce warriors who, for the national 

security of the United States and the defense of freedom 

and peace, project the ground combat power of the 

United States by air transport to the far reaches of the 

battle area and to the far corners of the world; 

Whereas, on June 25, 1940, experiments with airborne operations by the United States began when the Army Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War; 

Whereas, in July 1940, 48 volunteers began training for the 

Army Parachute Test Platoon; 


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•SRES 233 IS 

Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first official 

Army parachute jump, which took place on August 16, 

1940, to test the innovative concept of inserting United 

States ground combat forces behind a battle line by 

means of a parachute; 

Whereas the success of the Army Parachute Test Platoon in 

the days immediately before the entry of the United 

States into World War II validated the airborne operational concept and led to the creation of a formidable 

force of airborne formations that included the 11th, 13th, 

17th, 82nd, and 101st Airborne Divisions; 

Whereas, included in those divisions, and among other separate formations, were many airborne combat, combat 

support, and combat service support units that served 

with distinction and achieved repeated success in armed 

hostilities during World War II; 

Whereas the achievements of the airborne units during World 

War II prompted the evolution of those units into a diversified force of parachute and air-assault units that, 

over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, 

Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia, and have 

engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, the 

Sinai Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bosnia, 

and Kosovo; 

Whereas, since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 

the members of the United States airborne forces, including members of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division, the 173rd 

Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division, the 

75th Ranger Regiment, special operations forces of the 

Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, and other 


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units of the Armed Forces, have demonstrated bravery 

and honor in combat, stability, and training operations in 

Afghanistan and Iraq; 

Whereas the modern-day airborne forces also include other 

elite forces composed of airborne trained and qualified 

special operations warriors, including Army Special 

Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy 

SEALs, and Air Force combat control and pararescue 

teams; 

Whereas, of the members and former members of the United 

States airborne forces, thousands have achieved the distinction of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the 

Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, or other decorations and awards for displays of heroism, gallantry, intrepidity, and valor; 

Whereas the members and former members of the United 

States airborne forces are all members of a proud and 

honorable tradition that, together with the special skills 

and achievements of those members, distinguishes the 

members as intrepid combat parachutists, air assault 

forces, special operation forces, and, in the past, glider 

troops; 

Whereas individuals from every State of the United States 

have served gallantly in the airborne forces, and each 

State is proud of the contributions of its paratrooper veterans during the many conflicts faced by the United 

States; 

Whereas the history and achievements of the members and 

former members of the United States airborne forces 


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•SRES 233 IS 

warrant special expressions of the gratitude of the people 

of the United States; and 

Whereas, since the airborne forces, past and present, celebrate August 16 as the anniversary of the first official 

jump by the Army Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 is 

an appropriate day to recognize as National Airborne 

Day: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates August 16, 2017, as ‘‘National 

3 Airborne Day’’; and 

4 (2) calls on the people of the United States to 

5 observe National Airborne Day with appropriate pro6 grams, ceremonies, and activities. 

Æ 


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