81 years ago today, paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division prepared to board their planes and fly into the night, toward Normandy — and into history. This powerful footage captures the tense final moments before they leapt into the fight for freedom on the Day of Days — D-Day. They paved the way for liberation. We honor their courage. 🇺🇸 #DDay #DayOfDays #82ndAirborne #Paratroopers #WWIIHistory | The History of the 82nd Airborne in World War II

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Moments before, more than 12,000 All American glider and parachute infantry took part in the Airborne assault over Normandy, France. It is tradition for the U.S. military units involved in the assault to travel to France to commemorate the lives lost and our shared history with the people of Normandy. Even though the glob

National Airborne Day The first official Army parachute jump was on August 16, 1940. This validated the insertion of U.S. ground forces behind enemy lines. In 2001, President George W. Bush designated August 16 as National Airborne Day. All Americans, may you always have fair winds and soft landings! #NationalAirborneDay #AATW #ThrowbackThursday | 82nd Airborne Division