IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 348 
Urging the President to designate a National Airborne Day in recognition 
of persons who are serving or have served in the airborne forces of 
the Armed Services. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 13, 2008 
Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky (for himself and Mr. HUNTER) submitted the fol-
lowing concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Urging the President to designate a National Airborne Day 
in recognition of persons who are serving or have served 
in the airborne forces of the Armed Services. 
Whereas the airborne forces of the Armed Forces have a long 
and honorable history as units of adventuresome, hardy, 
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 August 16 marks the anniversary of the first official 
Army parachute jump on August 16, 1940, an event that 
validated the innovative concept of inserting United 
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•HCON 348 IH 
States ground combat forces behind the battle line by 
means of a parachute; 
Whereas the United States experiment of airborne infantry 
attack began on June 25, 1940, when the Army Para-
chute Test Platoon was first authorized by the Depart-
ment of War, and was launched when 48 volunteers 
began training in July 1940; 
Whereas the success of the Parachute Test Platoon in the 
days immediately preceding the entry of the United 
States into World War II led to the formation of a formi-
dable force of airborne units that have served with dis-
tinction and have had repeated success in armed hos-
tilities; 
Whereas among those airborne units are the former 11th, 
13th, and 17th Airborne Divisions, the venerable 82nd 
Airborne Division, the versatile 101st Airborne Division 
(Air Assault), and the airborne regiments and battalions 
(some as components of those divisions, some as separate 
units) that achieved distinction as the elite 75th Ranger 
Regiment, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the 187th Infan-
try (Airborne) Regiment, the 503rd, 507th, 508th, 
517th, 541st, and 542nd Parachute Infantry Regiments, 
the 88th Glider Infantry Regiment, the 509th, 551st, and 
555th Parachute Infantry Battalions, and the 550th Air-
borne 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, Gre-
nada, Panama, the Persian Gulf region, and Somalia, 
and have engaged in peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, 
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•HCON 348 IH 
the Sinai Peninsula, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bos-
nia, and Kosovo; 
Whereas the modern-day airborne force that has evolved from 
those World War II beginnings is an agile, powerful force 
that, in large part, is composed of the 82nd Airborne Di-
vision, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the 
75th Ranger Regiment; 
Whereas the modern-day airborne force also includes other 
elite forces composed entirely of airborne trained and 
qualified special operations warriors, including Army Spe-
cial Forces, Marine Corps Reconnaissance units, Navy 
SEALs, and Air Force combat control teams, all or most 
of which comprise the forces of the United States Special 
Operations Command; 
Whereas in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the 
United States on September 11, 2001, the 75th Ranger 
Regiment, special forces units, and units of the 82nd Air-
borne Division and the 101st Airborne Division (Air As-
sault), together with other units of the Armed Forces, 
have been prosecuting the war against terrorism by car-
rying out combat operations in Afghanistan, training op-
erations in the Philippines, and other operations else-
where; 
Whereas in the aftermath of the President’s announcement of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, the 75th Rang-
er Regiment, special forces units, and units of the 82nd 
Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air As-
sault), the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 4th Brigade 
Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division, 
together with other units of the Armed Forces, have been 
prosecuting the war against terrorism, carrying out com-
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•HCON 348 IH 
bat operations, conducting civil affairs missions, and as-
sisting in establishing democracy in Iraq; 
Whereas the airborne forces are and will continue to be at 
the ready and the forefront until the Global War on Ter-
rorism is concluded; 
Whereas of the members and former members of the United 
States combat airborne forces, all have achieved distinc-
tion by earning the right to wear the airborne’s ‘‘Silver 
Wings of Courage’’, thousands have achieved the distinc-
tion of making combat jumps, 69 have earned the Medal 
of Honor, and hundreds have earned the Distinguished- 
Service Cross, Silver Star, or other decorations and 
awards for displays of such traits as heroism, gallantry, 
intrepidity, and valor; 
Whereas the members and former members of the United 
States combat airborne forces are members of a proud 
and honorable fraternity of the profession of arms that 
is made exclusive by those distinctions which, together 
with their special skills and achievements, distinguish 
them as intrepid combat parachutists, special operation 
forces, and (in former days) glider troops; 
Whereas the history and achievements of the members and 
former members of the airborne forces of the United 
States Armed Forces warrant special expressions of the 
gratitude of the American people; 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 appro-
priate day to recognize as National Airborne Day: Now, 
therefore, be it 
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•HCON 348 IH 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress urges the President to des-
ignate a National Airborne Day. 
Æ 
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