503rd Infantry Regiment (ABN)

Size:  Approximately 3 3/4” X 3 1/2"

Wax Backing - Non Merrowed Edge

503rd Infantry Regiment DUI  Patch

The 503rd Infantry Regiment, formerly the 503rd Parachute Infantry  Regiment (PIR) and the 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR), is an airborne  forces infantry regiment of the United States Army. The regiment served as an  independent regiment in the Pacific War during World War II; at Fort Campbell,  Kentucky; in Okinawa, Japan; and in Germany. Regimental elements have been  assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, the 11th Airborne Division, the 24th  Infantry Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade  Combat Team. Regimental elements have participated in campaigns in the Vietnam  War, Operation Enduring Freedom–Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The  regiment claims 15 Medal of Honor recipients: two from World War II, 10 from  Vietnam, and three from Afghanistan. A parent regiment under the U.S. Army  Regimental System. The regiment's 1st and 2nd Battalions are active, assigned to  the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy.

Current Status of  Regimental Elements

1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment: Active, assigned  to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy

2nd Battalion, 503rd  Infantry Regiment: Active, assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in  Vicenza, Italy

3rd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment: Inactive since 1973

4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment: Inactive since 1973

Company E, 503rd  Infantry Regiment: Inactive since 1957

Company F, 503rd Infantry Regiment:  Inactive since 1957

Company G, 503rd Infantry Regiment: Inactive since 1957

Company H, 503rd Infantry Regiment: Inactive since 1957

Company I, 503rd  Infantry Regiment: Inactive since 1957

History

World War II

On 14  February 1942, the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment was formed.

The  regiment's 1st and 2nd Battalions were formed at Fort Benning, Georgia, from the  503rd and 504th Parachute Battalions, respectively. En route to Australia, the  503rd picked up a third battalion in Panama, where they had been undergoing  jungle training. Unlike many other airborne units, which were deployed in the  European Theater of Operations, the 503rd was the first airborne regiment to  fight in the Pacific, and as an independent unit.

The unit's first  operation was an unopposed landing at Nadzab, in the Markham Valley, New Guinea,  on 5 September 1943. Although the landings were unopposed, the troops were later  attacked by enemy bombers from the air. The 503rd's deployment helped force the  Japanese evacuation of a major military outpost at Lae. During their overland  withdrawal, the third battalion of the 503rd had a major skirmish with the  Japanese rear guard.

On 3–4 July 1944, 1st and 3rd Battalions of the  503rd were delivered by parachute to Kamiri Airfield on the island of Noemfoor  off the coast of Dutch New Guinea, sustaining significant casualties from the  jump. To reduce further casualties, 2nd Battalion was delivered amphibiously. At  the Battle of Noemfoor, the 503rd played a major role in the elimination of the  Japanese garrison on that island. As a result of his heroic actions during the  battle, paratroop Sergeant Ray E. Eubanks was posthumously awarded the Medal of  Honor. Airfields constructed on Noemfoor after its capture enabled the advance  of Allied troops from New Guinea to the Philippines.

Following a  non-combat landing on the island of Leyte in the Philippines, the 503d  Regimental Combat Team (RCT) made a major amphibious landing on Mindoro Island  in the central Philippines on 15 December 1944. Originally, it was intended for  the 503rd to jump on Mindoro, but due to inadequate airstrip facilities on  Leyte, an airborne landing was not possible. During the Battle of Mindoro, the  503rd was subjected to intense air and naval actions, at one point being shelled  for 25 minutes by a Japanese naval task force. One company of the 503rd RCT  engaged in a fierce battle against a company-size Japanese force defending an  enemy air raid warning station on the north end of the island. The success of  the Mindoro operation enabled the U.S. Army Air Forces to construct and operate  air strips and forward air bases to support later landings in the Philippines at  Lingayen Gulf, Luzon.

On 16 February 1945, the 503rd RCT jumped on  Fortress Corregidor ("the Rock") to liberate that island from occupying Japanese  forces. Braving intense fire, the paratroopers rushed forward and overcame the  heavy blockhouse defenses, dropping explosives into embrasures to kill hidden  Japanese gunners. For its successful capture of Corregidor, the unit was awarded  a Presidential Unit Citation (US) and received its nickname, "the Rock Regiment"  from it. The regimental insignia was designed by PFC Thomas M. McNeill while  recuperating from his injuries and dengue fever, hepatitis, and malaria on  Mindoro Island, following the battle of Corregidor.

Post-WWII history

Deactivated at Camp Anza, California, in December 1945, it was reactivated and  redesignated as the 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment in February 1951 and  assigned to the U.S. 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky,  following the departure of the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment to Korea as a  separate Airborne regimental combat team. In 1956 the 503rd went with the rest  of the 11th Airborne Division to posts in southeastern Germany.

The 503rd  was relieved on 1 March 1957 from assignment to the 11th Airborne Division and  was concurrently reorganized and redesignated as the 503rd Infantry, a parent  regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. This year marked the point  during which infantry regimental numbers ceased indicating actual tactical units  but instead were used in designating battle groups of Pentomic divisions, which  did not have regiments and battalions.

The move was accompanied by the  rotation of the only other airborne battle group, 1-187th, from the 24th to the  82nd. Concurrently 1-504th and 1-505th were relieved from the 82nd and assigned  to the 8th Infantry Division in central Germany. At Fort Bragg, 1-503rd joined  2-503rd, already assigned to the 82nd, as one of the division's five battle  groups.

Further Service by Regimental Elements

Vietnam

Both 1-503rd  and 2-503rd deployed with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in 1965. Joined by the  4-503rd in June 1966 and the 3-503rd in 1967, the regiment earned 15 campaign  streamers before redeploying in 1972. The 2-503rd also participated in the only  conventional combat parachute by US troops, during Operation Junction City.

Following Vietnam, 3-503rd and 4-503rd were inactivated, while 1-503rd and  2-503rd were assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. 2-503rd was inactivated in  1983, and 1-503rd was inactivated in 1984. As part of the transition to the U.S.  Army Regimental System, both battalions were assigned to the 2nd Infantry  Division, by reflagging the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment as 1-503rd and  reflagging 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment as 2-503rd.

2-503rd was  inactivated in 1990 as part of the reductions following the end of the Cold War.

2-503rd conducted a combat parachute assault into northern Iraq in March  2003, and

1-503rd deployed from Korea with the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry  Division in June 2004, serving with the Marine Expeditionary Force in Al Anbar  Province. After returning to the United States in July 2005, the battalion was  inactivated 15 November 2005.

Vietnam War

In May 1965, two battalions  of the 503rd Infantry deployed as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade to Vietnam  as the first major U.S. Army ground combat unit to be deployed, joined later by  4-503rd Inf and 3-503rd Inf (bearing the lineages of the former Company D and  Company C, 503rd PIR, respectively). During its six years in Vietnam, the four  battalions of the 503rd participated in fourteen campaigns, earning two more  Presidential Unit Citations and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. The 2nd Bn  (Abn), 503rd Inf participated in the only combat jump of the war during  "Operation Junction City" in 1967. It redeployed to the U.S. in July 1971,  having the distinction of being one of the last units to leave Vietnam.

Following the return of the 173rd Brigade(Separate) to the U.S. was its  inactivation when its assets were used to form the 3rd Brigade (Airborne), 101st  Airborne Division (Airmobile). The 1-503rd was relieved from the 173rd effective  In August 1971. The 1-503rd was deactivated and 4-503rd was reasigned as 1-503rd  173rd Brigade Separate and on 14 January 1972 reassigned to 3rd Brigade, 101st  Airborne Division(Airmoble). The 2-503rd continued as 2-503rd, 173rd Airborne  Brigade(Separate)and on 14 January 1972 relieved and reasigned as 2-503rd 3rd  Brigade, 101st Airborne Division(Airmoble). The 3-503rd was relieved and  reactivated as 3rd-187th 173rd Airborne Brigade(Separate) and on 14 January 1972  reassigned to 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division(Airmoble). The 3rd Brigade,  along with other supporting division units, saw its jump status terminated on 1  April 1974 when the 101st became a completely airmobile division (renamed Air  Assault on 4 October 1974).

The lineage of 2-503rd was inactivated on 1  October 1983 and relieved from assignment to the 101st, followed by 1-503rd on  16 November 1984. The existing battalions were reflagged as units of the 187th  Infantry Regiment during the implementation of the U.S. Army Regimental System  (ARS).

Edited by a Paratrooper who was the point man from 2nd Platoon Co.  A, 4th Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade(Separate) and was assigned with his  unit from Vietnam to Fort Campbell Ky.

Reactivation in Korea, assignment  to Italy

On 16 December 1986 both 1-503rd and 2-503rd were reactivated and  assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea when two existing  infantry battalions were reflagged. Stationed together at Camp Hovey, they  formed the division's 2nd Brigade. Both battalions performed annual rotations to  Warrior Base, just south of the DMZ, from where they patrolled the DMZ; manned  guard posts Collier, Oullette, and 128; and served as a quick-reaction force for  the DMZ. (Note: On 16 March 1987 another former 101st unit, 1-506th Inf, was  also assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division and activated in Korea.)

The  2nd Bn, 503rd Inf was inactivated on 29 September 1990 in Korea and relieved  from assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division, but 1-503rd and 1-506th remained  and became Air Assault battalions within the division. The 2nd Bn, 503rd  returned to active status as an airborne battalion on 16 December 2001 when it  was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and activated in Italy. The company  names were kept from its lineage in Korea: A Company (Able), B Company (Battle  Hard), C Company (Chosen), D Company (Destined), H Company (Hound), HHC  (Blacksheep).

Global War on Terror

In March 2003, the Turkish  government refused to allow American ground forces, which were positioned at  their ports, to move through Turkey in order to establish a northern front in  support of "Operation Iraqi Freedom". America needed another option and the  paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade provided that option. On 26 March at  2000 hours, fifteen C-17 aircraft delivered 20 heavy platforms and 959  paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade onto Bashur Drop Zone in the vicinity  of Bashur, Iraq. This combat parachute assault was the beginning of Operation  Northern Delay and established the coalition's northern front.

The  parachute assault force consisted of HHC, 173rd Airborne Brigade; 1st Battalion  (Airborne), 508th Infantry Regiment commanded by LTC Harry Tunnell; 2nd  Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment commanded by LTC Dominic J.  Caraccilo; 74th Infantry Detachment (Long Range Surveillance); D Battery  (Airborne), 319th Field Artillery Regiment; 173rd Support Company (Combat);  501st Support Company (Forward), 250th Forward Surgical Team; ODA (-), 2nd  Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); 4th Air Support Operations  Group (USAFE); and the 86th Contingency Response Group (assigned to the 86th  Airlift Wing (USAFE). The paratroopers were under the command of Colonel William  C. Mayville Jr., commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The aircraft from  which the units were delivered into battle were the C-17s of the 62d and 446th  Airlift Wings from McChord AFB, Washington and the 437th Airlift Wing and 315th  Airlift Wing (AFRES) from Charleston AFB, South Carolina. The C-17s were under  the command of Colonel Robert “Dice” R. Allardice, commander of the 62nd Airlift  Wing. This airborne operation was not only the largest since the 1989 invasion  of Panama, but was the first airborne personnel insertion ever conducted with  the C-17.

The successful establishment of a northern front was essential  to the coalition's battle plan. Without a northern front, six Iraqi divisions  arrayed in northern Iraq remained free to move south to reinforce Baghdad.  Fast-moving Coalition forces were closing on Baghdad with the expectation of  having to capture the Iraqi capital from three defensively arrayed divisions.  Six additional Iraqi divisions streaming from the north could dramatically  affect the balance of power around Baghdad.

Another factor was the  oil-rich area of Kirkuk. The oil wealth of the Kirkuk area would be crucial to  rebuilding Iraq but the Iraqi army had shown a willingness to destroy their  country's own future simply to spite the Coalition. Securing the oil fields and  airbases of Kirkuk was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

The  success of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in its securing of Bashur and Kirkuk and  its subsequent control and rebuilding of Kirkuk Province and later the As  Sulaymaniyah Province was unmatched in-theater. The troopers integrated forces  from fifteen other units, to include five Army divisions, to accomplish every  mission.

In the summer of 2004, the 1-503rd deployed with the 2nd  Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Korea to violent Ramadi, Iraq, where its  soldiers took part in the battle of Fallujah and conducted combat operations in  the violent Al-Anbar province. At that point in the war, Ramadi was considered  the most dangerous city in Iraq, and the battalion suffered high losses during  the deployment. 1-503rd was targeted by daily small arms, RPG, and mortar  attacks and received a significant amount of vehicle-borne improvised explosive  devices, also known as VBIEDS or car bombs. Despite this, 1-503rd was very  successful in their mission to curb insurgent activity. According to an  interview with Lieutenant Colonel James Raymer, by 2006, insurgent activity was  markedly lowered from the year that 1-503rd conducted operations in Ramadi.  Additionally, 1-503rd played a critical role in the 2005 elections in Iraq in  Ramadi. In the spring of 2005, the 173rd began its second deployment in three  years to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VI. 2d BN (ABN)  503d IN deployed to Regional Command South demonstrating unparalleled bravery  fighting anti-coalition forces in the bloodiest spring since the original  invasion in 2001. The ROCK fought the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the Provinces of  Helmand, Zabul and Kandahar and excelled in all aspects of the deployment to  include facilitating a peaceful parliamentary election process in the fall of  2005.

Upon completion of its year-long deployment to Iraq, 1-503rd did  not return to Korea, but instead relocated to Fort Carson, Colorado, with the  rest of the brigade. It was redesignated on 1 October 2005 as the 1st Battalion,  503rd Infantry Regiment, inactivated on 15 November 2005, relieved from  assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division, and assigned on 15 June 2006 to the  173rd Airborne Brigade, where the battalion was activated with the assets of the  existing 1-508th.

In May 2007, the 173rd ABCT (including both 1-503rd and  2-503rd) deployed to Afghanistan. Both units fell under the NATO ISAF mission.  The 2-503rd remained as part of TF Bayonet and the unit was the subject of  several articles detailing their operations during OEF VIII. The 1-503rd was  attached to the 4th BCT, 82nd Airborne and then 4th BCT, 101st Airborne as part  of TF Fury and TF Currahee, respectively.

On 7 February 2011, 2-503rd was  awarded the Valorous Unit Award for their actions during OEF VIII from 25  January to 30 July 2008. The official citation reads: "For extraordinary heroism  in action against an armed enemy. During the period 25 January 2008 to 30 July  2008, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry  Regiment and its subordinate units displayed exceptionally meritorious service  assigned as Task Force Rock in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kunar  Province. Task Force Rock's professionalism and dedication to the mission under  fire went beyond the call of duty and contributed greatly to the success of Task  Force Bayonet. The actions of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d  Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment and its subordinate units are in keeping with  the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon the  unit, the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the United States Army". The  subordinate units of HHC, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment include: Able  Company, Battle Company, Chosen Company, Destined Company, Fusion Company, Bravo  Battery (4-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment), Charlie Battery (3-321  Field Artillery Regiment), and Headquarters and Headquarters Company (173d  Special Troops Battalion).

On 26 October 2011, 2-503rd was awarded the  Presidential Unit Citation for the soldiers' "extraordinary heroism in action  against an armed enemy" from 5 June to 10 November 2007.

Staff Sergeant  Salvatore Giunta received the nation's highest award for valor after running  through heavy enemy fire to rescue a badly wounded comrade during a deadly  ambush on 25 October 2007, in the Korengal Valley. Soldiers from the battalion  also earned two Distinguished Service Crosses, the second-highest valor award,  and 27 Silver Stars, the third-highest award for valor.

MOVIES

Restrepo (2010) is a documentary film about the Second Platoon, Battle  Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (airborne) of the 173rd Airborne  Brigade Combat Team in the Korangal Valley in Afghanistan.

84C MoPic :  1989 mock-up documentary of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) mission  during the Vietnam War. C Co., 2/503, 173rd (ABN) BDE, Bon Song, Vietnam

Lineage and Honors

Constituted 24 February 1942 in the Army of  the United States as the 503d Parachute Infantry (1st Battalion concurrently  consolidated with the 503d Parachute Battalion [constituted 14 March 1941 in the  Army of the United States and activated 22 August 1941 at Fort Benning, Georgia  and 2d Battalion consolidated with the 504th Parachute Battalion (constituted 14  March 1941 in the Army of the United States and activated 5 October at Fort  Benning, Georgia) and consolidated units designated as the 1st and 2d Battalion,  503d Parachute Infantry Regiment (less 1st, 2d and 3d Battalions) activated 2  March 1942 at Fort Benning, Georgia)(3d Battalion activated 8 June 1942 at Fort  Bragg, North Carolina)

(2d Battalion reorganized and redesignated 2 November  1942 as the 2d Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry- hereafter separate lineage;  new 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry concurrently activated in Australia)

Regiment inactivated 24 December 1945 at Camp Anza, California

Redesignated 1 February 1951 as the 503d Airborne Infantry, allotted to the  Regular Army, and assigned to the 11th Airborne Division

Activated 2  March 1951 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Relieved 1 March 1957 from  assignment to the 11th Airborne Division' concurrently reorganized and  redesignated as the 503d Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms  Regimental System

Withdrawn 16 December 1986 from the Combat Arms  Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System

Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 503d Infantry Regiment

Campaign  Participation Credit

World War II: New Guinea; Leyte; Luzon (with arrowhead);  Southern Philippines

Vietnam: Defense; Counteroffensive;  Counteroffensive, Phase II (with arrowhead); Counteroffensive, Phase III;  Counteroffensive, Phase IV; Counteroffensive, Phase V; Counteroffensive, Phase  VI; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Summer-Fall 1969; Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary  Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase VII; Consolidation I

Afghanistan: Consolidation I, Consolidation II, Consolidation III, Transition I

Iraq: Liberation of Iraq (with arrowhead); Transition of Iraq; Iraqi  Governance

Note: The published Army lineage predates the War on Terrorism.  Comparison of the deployment dates of regimental elements with the War on  Terrorism campaigns estimates that the battalion will be credited with  participation in the six campaigns listed.

Decorations

Presidential  Unit Citation (Army) for CORREGIDOR

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for  BIEN HOA

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for PHUOC VINH

Presidential  Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO

Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) for VIETNAM  1966

Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)  for VIETNAM 1965-1967

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for 17 OCTOBER  1944 TO 4 JULY 1945

Heraldry

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description/Blazon: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86  cm) in height overall consisting of the shield and motto of the coat of arms.

Symbolism: The colors, blue and white, are those of Infantry. The inverted  triangle terminating in the broken fort symbolizes the drop on Corregidor,  whereas the three parachutes represent the three other battle honors awarded the  organization.

Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally  approved for the 503d Airborne Infantry Regiment on 28 Apr 1952. It was amended  to change the motto on 28 May 1952. On 29 Jun 1958 the insignia was redesignated  to the 503d Infantry.

Coat of Arms

Description/Blazon

Shield:  Argent, a fort voided Azure, pierced to the center by a pile of the second  counterchanged with the fort and bearing three parachutes of the first, two and  one.

Crest: On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure a dragon passant Gules  in front of three swords, points conjoined in base Proper, with hand grips of  the second nailed and edged Or, in center overall a carved arrowhead point down  of the last.

Motto: THE ROCK.

Symbolism

Shield: The colors,  blue and white, are those of Infantry. The inverted triangle terminating in the  broken fort symbolizes the drop on Corregidor, whereas the three parachutes  represent the three other battle honors awarded the organization.

Crest:  The dragon and the colors scarlet and yellow refer to the Republic of Vietnam  where the Regiment participated in thirteen campaigns; scarlet also alludes to  the award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The unit's participation in an  assault landing during the Counteroffensive, Phase II, is indicated by the  arrowhead and the swords with blue grips represent the Presidential Unit  Citation awarded three times for service in the Republic of Vietnam.

Background: The Coat of Arms was originally approved for the 503d Airborne  Infantry Regiment on 28 Apr 1952. It was amended to change the motto on 28 May  1952. The coat of arms was redesignated for the 503d Infantry on 29 Jan 1958.