Posted on May 31, 2014
Have you ever seen anyone wearing a Glider badge?
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In my mind the gliders were still a better way to insert artillery than airborne. Now the helicopter is better than both. Airborne drops were a mess, crew landed one place the gun in pieces. In Vietnam it became a drill. Those Chinooks could bring you in ready to fire.
The 75mm Pack Howitzer was designed to be taken apart and carried over the Himilayas on the back of a Donkey. It had to be assembled when you landed. The 105mm Howitzer was too heavy for the glider. The 4.2in (107mm) Mortar lacked range.
After WWII the Army abandoned gliders and airdropped the 105mm. the tended to fall apart on impact.
In Vietnam after the enemy started using rockets that had a longer range than the 105mm, it became a field gun. They airlifted in with the Infantry and set up a firebase
The 75mm Pack Howitzer was designed to be taken apart and carried over the Himilayas on the back of a Donkey. It had to be assembled when you landed. The 105mm Howitzer was too heavy for the glider. The 4.2in (107mm) Mortar lacked range.
After WWII the Army abandoned gliders and airdropped the 105mm. the tended to fall apart on impact.
In Vietnam after the enemy started using rockets that had a longer range than the 105mm, it became a field gun. They airlifted in with the Infantry and set up a firebase
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My Dad. One of the last Glider Riders. 87 years old and still Army Strong! My Pop Rocks!
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I've seen the Glider Patch plenty of times, including when I wore it myself.
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I have met one WWII soldier that has the glider badge about 10 years ago. He was living in the same assisted living community as my grand parents unfortunately this great man is no longer with us.
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I have only ever seen one person with a Glider Badge and he was a retired World War II vet
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YES. When I entered the Army in 1964 there were a fair number of WWII veterans still on active duty. As a matter of fact, my Father who served in WWII, KOREA AND VN wore a glider badge. I saw SHAPE patches and several other WWII related accoutrements.
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Yes I have. He was a WWII vet, flew a glider in on D-Day. He was wearing it on his hat. I met him when I rode in the escort to the airport for Honor Flight. I had to ask him what it was.
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Last one was a WWII vet. Maybe they will bring them back like the dirigible?
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