IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 816 

Expressing support for the designation of August 16, 2016, as ‘‘National 

Airborne Day’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 8, 2016 

Mr. GIBSON (for himself, Mr. WOODALL, Mrs. ELLMERS of North Carolina, 

Mr. WALZ, Ms. GABBARD, and Mr. HUDSON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of August 16, 2016, 

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 the experiment of the United States with airborne 

operations began on June 25, 1940, when the Army 

Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized by the Department of War, and 48 volunteers began training in 

July 1940; 


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•HRES 816 IH 

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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•HRES 816 IH 

units of the Armed Forces, have demonstrated bravery 

and honor in combat, stability, and training operations in 

Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere across the globe in 

fighting the Global War on Terror; 

Whereas airborne forces have been a key component of 

United States efforts to train, assist, and reassure American allies and partners in the Pacific, the Middle East, 

Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe, where increased aggression and expansionist policies by the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic 

People’s Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation 

have all threatened to bring violence to and further destabilize these regions; 

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 


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•HRES 816 IH 

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 

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 House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports designation of ‘‘National Airborne 

3 Day’’; 

4 (2) recognizes the ongoing efforts of the Senate 

5 to designate ‘‘National Airborne Day’’; and 

6 (3) calls on the people of the United States to 

7 observe ‘‘National Airborne Day’’, if designated, 

8 with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activi9 ties. 

Æ 


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