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 res-
olution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Govern-
ment 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 De-
partment 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 oper-
ational 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 sepa-
rate formations were many airborne combat, combat sup-
port, and combat service support units that served with 
distinction and achieved repeated success in armed hos-
tilities during World War II; 
Whereas the achievements of the airborne units during World 
War II prompted the evolution of those units into a di-
versified 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, includ-
ing members of the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Air-
borne Division, the 101st Airborne Division, the 173rd 
Airborne Brigade Combat Team, the 4th Brigade Com-
bat 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 Amer-
ican allies and partners in the Pacific, the Middle East, 
Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe, where increased ag-
gression and expansionist policies by the People’s Repub-
lic 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 desta-
bilize 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 dis-
tinction of making combat jumps, dozens have earned the 
Medal of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distin-
guished Service Cross, the Silver Star, or other decora-
tions and awards for displays of heroism, gallantry, intre-
pidity, 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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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 vet-
erans 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 ap-
propriate day to recognize as National Airborne Day: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports designation of ‘‘National Airborne 
Day’’; 
(2) recognizes the ongoing efforts of the Senate 
to designate ‘‘National Airborne Day’’; and 
(3) calls on the people of the United States to 
observe ‘‘National Airborne Day’’, if designated, 
with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activi-
ties. 
Æ 
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