Which individual holds the world record number of combat parachute jumps?

2020-08-13T18:04:01-04:00

I've seen an individual with two mustard stains, and I understand there are units with four or five. But I'm wondering about which individual has jumped into combat more times than anyone else. I've heard combat jumps were pretty common in Rhodesia.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 6:33 PM

2020-08-13T18:33:34-04:00

LTG James “Jumping Jim” Gavin made 4 combat jumps. I haven’t seen more than that in my research.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Aug 13 at 2020 6:40 PM

2020-08-13T18:40:00-04:00

This is interesting. I bet every jumper knows the answer

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 6:52 PM

2020-08-13T18:52:39-04:00

I honestly don't know but I got to meet Rock Merritt. He has two combat jumps in WWII.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 7:54 PM

2020-08-13T19:54:49-04:00

https://taskandpurpose.com/history/82nd-airborne-paratrooper-eatman-death

One Of The Few World War II Paratroopers To Make 4 Combat Jumps With The 82nd Airborne Has Died

Fewer than 3,000 paratroopers made four combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II. Following the death of retired 1st Sgt. Harold Eatman,

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Aug 13 at 2020 8:39 PM

2020-08-13T20:39:59-04:00

I know my great uncle, James Van de Bogert, made 4 combat jumps with H-company, 505th PIR in WWII.

If interested, a distant cousin of mine from Europe has been collecting and posting paratrooper info from that era for many years on the following website. Pretty interesting stuff.

https://www.pararesearchteam.com/

Not to hijack this thread but I'll add this as a funny story, as told often by my uncle to us, about that eras paratroopers and his first training jump. Very few before the war likley had the opportunity to fly in a plane and because of that it was likley that the first time would be to jump out of one. In my uncle's case they boarded and when at alltitude went through the motions for their first jump. When the jump master says go, you go out the door as trained no questions asked. The trooper in front of him got to the door and refused to jump while the jump master yelled at him. The jump master grabbed him and pushed him out the door but he turned and grabbed the doorway. So, hanging out, but hanging on for dear life the jump master kicked his hands, breaking some fingers, and off he went into the blue. The jump master looked at my uncle, yelled go, and my uncle closed his eyes and stepped out of the airplane...no questions asked.

Now, whether this actually happened as he told it was often questioned but always defended and was an entertaining story none the less. It was also one of the only stories he would tell about his time in the Army. There was extra pay in it for those that volunteered to jump so I'm sure that gentlemen washed out and missed out on some money.

After the war he and my great aunt had 14 kids. When asked why so many my aunt would reply that while at war he really missed her and needed to catch up when he got home. To say I have a large extended family is an understatement.

V/R
Bogie

Paratrooper Research Team - History Awaits

Free Online WWII Scrapbook by Donald & Sophia van den Bogert

Response by CSM Michael Chavaree made Aug 13 at 2020 8:53 PM

2020-08-13T20:53:05-04:00

There are several folks out there with multiple combat MFF insertions. It will be the new norm.

Response by MSG Felipe De Leon Brown made Aug 14 at 2020 10:08 AM

2020-08-14T10:08:29-04:00

When I went through Jump School in 1967, there were still a lot of Senior NCOs who had served in both WWII and Korea. Many had several stars on their wings (all were Master Parachutists) but I do remember one who had a golden star (5 combat jumps) on his wings. He had jumped with the 82nd in both Sicily and Normandy during WWII and with both the 187th RCT and one of the Ranger battalions in Korea. He was one of the coolest NCOs that I have known.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 16 at 2020 10:16 AM

2020-08-16T10:16:41-04:00

The National Infantry Museum tracks three time awards of the CIB, perhaps they are tracking this.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Apr 1 at 2021 9:00 PM

2021-04-01T21:00:57-04:00

I think I have found the answer I'm looking for. In We Dared to Win: The SAS in Rhodesia page 75 says, "Sergeant Des Archer of 1 Commando set a world record of 73 operational jumps."

Response by CPT Glenn Pearl made Apr 3 at 2023 11:25 AM

2023-04-03T11:25:09-04:00

CSM Horace R Pearl has 6 combat jumps, all with the 82nd. 4 in WWII and 2 in the Korean war.