What is the 101 Airborne Division best known for: airborne or air assault?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:36:13 -0500

Given that the 101 has done both what are they best known for?

Response by SGM Mike Barbieri made Nov 5 at 2015 2:37 PM

SGM Mike Barbieri — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:37:46 -0500

Winning

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 2:45 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:45:06 -0500

I thought we were known for doing it bigger and better than any other division? you sent one Aircraft? Well let me tell you we Sent in an Aviation Brigade. You sent your 2LT on a snack run? Well the the Rakkasans invaded the commissary during a case lot sale.

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Nov 5 at 2015 2:45 PM

SSG Buddy Kemper — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:45:09 -0500

I like that 'generational' response. Nothin' finer than wearing ol' Abe on my shoulder tho. Must admit that. To all my 101st brothers/sisters...thanks for meeting that Rendezvous with Destiny!!!! Blessings to all!

Response by MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP made Nov 5 at 2015 2:46 PM

MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:46:55 -0500

I would have to say the glory days were their airborne days. It's hard to top jumping on D-Day or jumping as part of Market Garden. I do think that the Desert Storm air assault was pretty impressive, but I no other major 101st air assaults come to mind. On my first tour with the 101st we jokingly called ourselves the "truck assault" division because we could rarely convince a pilot to give us a ride; and I was in a Cav Troop with our own organic lift assets.

Response by SSG Todd Halverson made Nov 5 at 2015 2:56 PM

SSG Todd Halverson — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:56:17 -0500

Given that they have done both and are still doing the dope on a rope routine it really depends on who you ask.
Having been trained to do both, I preferred the dope on a rope as more fun. Nothing like getting your line tangled midway down because of the wind shift.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 5 at 2015 2:57 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:57:20 -0500

I am saying it depends on when and who you ask. The history of the 101st is amazing and I'm honored to be part of that history. Nothing makes me prouder than to say I was assigned to the 101st Airborne. The history of all the paratroopers of WWII to the modern day warfighter is one that each member of the 101st, past or present carries with them.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:16:23 -0500

Best known for the Battle of Bastogne, I always thought.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:19:11 -0500

Being Badass! Oh, and winning!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:38:07 -0500

Two assignments with 101st Airborne (Air Assault) 1991-1996 and OIF 2003-2004. They have a rich past of being tough and resourceful. Airborne in WW II is how they started, but Air Assault or Air Mobile is how they have continued to make a name for themselves. They are feared by the enemy on all fronts. I am proud display the Screaming Eagle patch on my right sleeve!

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 5 at 2015 6:47 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:47:37 -0500

I'm really surprised no die hard "All Americans" haven't "jumped" all over this. Never was assigned to organic 101st but was OPCONED to them in the Stan. Good group of Soldiers honestly.

Response by SPC Robby Robinson made Nov 6 at 2015 6:33 AM

SPC Robby Robinson — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 06:33:23 -0500

Hands down without ANY doubt, the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne are best "known" for their heroic actions in both Operation Overlord and Operation Market Garden during World War 2. Of course whilst still holding the moniker of Airborne, they are now Air Assault and without a single doubt, the most elite division within the conventional Warfighter forces

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 2:59 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 14:59:20 -0500

Strike!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 6 at 2015 3:17 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:17:52 -0500

I think they are just known for kicking some righteous butt. I went to school and heard about them in Bastogne. My daughter heard of them in Vietnam. It's generational, but kicking tail is a universal theme.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Nov 6 at 2015 3:50 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 15:50:21 -0500

My regiment the 26th INF joined them this year.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Nov 7 at 2015 1:04 AM

1LT William Clardy — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 01:04:49 -0500

One look at the tab over the patch makes it obvious -- when did you ever hear someone refer to the "101st Air Assault"?

Sure, professional military folks know that the Screaming Eagles haven't been on jump status since the 1970s, but try explaining to a civilian that the 101st Airborne Division isn't really airborne. (It gets even better if you also try to explain that the division with AA on their patch isn't Air Assault.)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 9:14 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 09:14:28 -0500

You say "Screaming Eagle" and I think "Air Assault."

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 10:07 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 10:07:56 -0500

Greatly depends on generation of the person asked.

Younger Vets - Air Assault. Older Vets - Airborne. I've had the conversation explaining it to older vets a few times.

Response by SGT Michael Bond made Nov 7 at 2015 3:30 PM

SGT Michael Bond — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 15:30:00 -0500

My experience working with or near the Screaming Eagles was in Vietnam. Their mission was air assult as well as the Herd (173rd). Jumping was suicide in Vietnam and the air assult was very effective.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 11 at 2015 8:50 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:50:19 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Why confuse us w/ choices? The 101st is renown is for it's
'Screaming Eagle' shoulder patch! That patch is just as recogizeable as a USMC decal!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2017 1:36 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 13:36:46 -0400

Airborne.