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[[Image:101st airborne.jpg|thumb|right|Major General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] encouraging the men of the 101st Airborne Division]]
[[Image:101st airborne.jpg|thumb|right|Major General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] encouraging the men of the 101st Airborne Division]]
The '''101st Airborne Division''' was formed before the [[USA]] entered [[World War II]]. Only the toughest men could serve in the 101st, and only 1 out of every 3 men were accepted. The division completed its Airborne training in [[September]] 1943, and played a key role in [[D-Day]]. The night before the invasion they were dropped behind enemy lines. The planes carrying them were under heavy antiaircraft fire and took evasive action. Instead of parachuting at 700 feet from the ground at 100 miles per hour, they jumped from 300 feet at 200 miles per hour. This caused scattering among the division all over [[Normandy]]. They caused havoc among the [[German]] ranks even though they were not formed up intotheir proper units and companies. After World War II the 101st Airborne Division was deactivated.
The '''101st Airborne Division''' was formed on August 15th, 1942. The 101st played a key role in [[D-Day]]landings on June 6th, 1944. The night before the invasion they were dropped behind enemy lines. The planes carrying them were under heavy antiaircraft fire and took evasive action. Scattering much of the division all over [[Normandy]]. They caused havoc among the [[German]] ranks even though they were not formed up into their proper units and companies. After World War II the 101st Airborne Division was deactivated.
In 1956, the 101st was reactivated as a combat division. Lead elements of the division deployed to Vietnam in 1965, and were joined by the rest of the division in 1967.
In 1968, the 101st was reorganized as an airmobile division. In 1973, after its return from Vietnam the 101st was designated an air assault division, and is the only air assault division in the US Army.
In 1991, the 101st Airborne fought in the Persian Gulf conflict, conducting air assault operations deep into enemy territory. The 101st sustained no soldiers killed in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of enemy prisoners of war.
Today, the 101st Airborne serves in Iraq.
==External links==
==External links==