4 July 1944: The 1st and 2d Bns., 503d Para. Inf. Regt. drop on Kamiri Airfield on Noemfoor Island off the Dutch New Guinea coast to reinforce U.S. troops already there. High casualties sustained during the jump resulted in the 3d Bn. landing amphibiously.

This was the regiment's second Pacific jump. The first involved the entire regiment in an unopposed jump at the Lae-Nadzab Airfield in Papua New Guinea's Markham Valley on 5 Sept. 1943. Although the jump was unopposed, Japanese bombers attacked the paratroopers later that day. Their deployment forced a major Japanese detachment in Lae to withdraw inland. The 503d's 3d Bn. followed them and had a major engagement with the Japanese rear guard.

On Noemfoor Island, the 503d PIR played a major role in eliminating the Japanese garrison there. Sgt. Ray E. Eubanks of Co. D, 1st Bn., was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after his company encountered a strong enemy position while maneuvering to the aid of a platoon that had become isolated.

According to his citation: "Sgt. Eubanks was ordered to make an attack with one squad to neutralize the enemy by fire in order to assist the advance of his company. He maneuvered his squad to within 30 yards of the enemy where heavy fire checked his advance. Directing his men to maintain their fire, he and two scouts worked their way forward up a shallow depression to within 25 yards of the enemy. Directing the scouts to remain in place, Sgt. Eubanks armed himself with an automatic rifle and worked himself forward over terrain swept by intense fire to within 15 yards of the enemy position when he opened fire with telling effect. The enemy, having located his position, concentrated their fire, with the result that he was wounded and a bullet rendered his rifle useless. In spite of his painful wounds he immediately charged the enemy and using his weapon as a club killed four of the enemy before he was himself again hit and killed. Sgt. Eubanks' heroic action, courage, and example in leadership so inspired his men that their advance was successful. They killed 45 of the enemy and drove the remainder from the position, thus effecting the relief of our beleaguered troops."

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) 1st Bn., 503d PIR troopers land on muddy Kamiri Airfield on Nooemfor Island off Dutch New Guinea, 4 July 1944. (2) 2d Bn., 503d PIR troopers jump from C-47s over muddy Kamiri Airfield on Nooemfor Island. (3) Silhouetted against clouds of smoke created to provide concealment, USAAF C-47s drop a battalion of the 503d PIR at Nadzab, New Guinea. A battalion dropped moments earlier is landing in the foreground. (4) Sgt. Ray E. Eubanks, Co. D, 1st Bn., 503d PIR.