III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 599 

Designating August 16, 2010, as ‘‘National Airborne Day’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 28, 2010 

Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. REED, Mr. REID, Mrs. HAGAN, Mr. BURR, 

Mrs. LINCOLN, Mr. VOINOVICH, Mr. INHOFE, Mr. CRAPO, Ms. SNOWE, 

Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. BEGICH, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts, 

Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. THUNE, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. BURRIS, Mr. SESSIONS, 

Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. BOND, Mr. BENNETT, Ms. 

LANDRIEU, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. INOUYE, and Mr. CORKER) submitted 

the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating August 16, 2010, as ‘‘National Airborne Day’’. 

Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a long 

and honorable history as units of bold and fierce warriors 

who, for the national security of the United States and 

the defense of freedom and peace, project the effective 

ground combat power of the United States by Air Force 

air transport to the far reaches of the battle area and, 

indeed, to the far corners of the world; 

Whereas the United States experiment with airborne infantry 

attack began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Parachute Test Platoon was first authorized by the DepartVerDate Mar 15 2010 04:03 Jul 29, 2010 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR599.ATS SR599

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•SRES 599 ATS 

ment of War and was launched when 48 volunteers began 

training in July 1940; 

Whereas August 16 marks the anniversary of the first official 

Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, to test the 

innovative concept of inserting United States ground 

combat forces behind a battle line by means of 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 led to the formation of a formidable force of airborne units that have served with distinction and have had repeated success in armed hostilities; 

Whereas among those first airborne units are the former 

11th, 13th, and 17th Airborne Divisions, the current 

82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and the later airborne regiments and battalions (some as components of 

those divisions and some as separate units) that achieved 

distinction as the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 187th Infantry (Airborne) Regiment, which is the only airborne unit to have 

served as a Glider, Parachute, and Air Assault Regiment, 

the 501st, 502nd, 503rd, 504th, 505th, 506th, 507th, 

508th, 509th, 511th, 513th, 517th, 541st, and 542nd 

Parachute Infantry Regiments, the 88th, 127th, 193rd, 

194th, 325th, 326th, 327th, and 401st Glider Infantry 

Regiments, the 509th, 550th, 551st, and 555th Parachute Infantry Battalions, and the 550th Airborne Infantry Battalion; 

Whereas the achievements of the airborne forces during 

World War II prompted the evolution of those forces into 

a diversified force of parachute and air assault units 

that, over the years, have fought in Korea, Vietnam, GreVerDate Mar 15 2010 04:03 Jul 29, 2010 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR599.ATS SR599

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•SRES 599 ATS 

nada, 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 on September 11, 2001, 

United States paratroopers, which include members of 

the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, 

the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade (Airborne) 

of the 25th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, 

and special forces units, together with other units of the 

Armed Forces, have demonstrated bravery and honor in 

combat operations, civil affairs missions, and training operations in Afghanistan and Iraq; 

Whereas the modern day airborne force also includes other 

elite forces composed entirely of airborne trained and 

qualified special operations warriors, including Army Special Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy 

SEALs, Air Force combat control teams, pararescue, and 

weather teams, all of which are part of the United States 

Special Operations Command; 

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 Medal, or other 

decorations and awards for displays 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 their special skills 

and achievements, distinguishes them as intrepid combat 


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•SRES 599 ATS 

parachutists, air assault forces, special operation forces, 

and, in former days, glider troops; 

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 community celebrates August 16 

as the anniversary of the first official jump by the Army 

Parachute Test Platoon, August 16 would be an appropriate day to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates August 16, 2010, 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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