The 505th Infantry Regiment was first constituted as the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment on 24 June 1942 and activated at Fort Benning, Georgia on 6 July 1942 (Fort Benning was renamed Fort Moore in October 2023). After training at Camp Billy Mitchell, the Regiment was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in February 1943. Its first combat jump was during Operation Husky, the invasion of North Africa; it later made jumps at Salerno (September 1943), during the D-Day invasion, and in Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. It was during the D-Day jump that the Regiment earned its nickname of “H-Minus” due to the fact that the Regiment actually jumped before their scheduled time, dubbed “H-Hour.”
Since World War II, the Regiment or its Battalions have taken part in all major conflicts and operations (excluding Korea), from Vietnam and the First Gulf War to Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terrorism campaigns, and Armed Forces Expeditions in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Panama. For much of its existence, the 505th consisted of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, but in January 2006 the Army inactivated the 3rd Battalion. The two remaining Battalions are serving in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and are stationed at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in North Carolina.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The 505th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia was first approved for the 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment on January 24, 1952. It was later redesignated for the 505th Infantry Regimen in 1958 following its incorporation in the Combat Arms Regimental System. It features a lunging black panther, a symbol of the speed, stealth, and courage necessary for successful airborne operations, which are indicated by the blue bendlets denoting entry into combat by air. ("Panthers" is the Regiment's officially recognized nickname.) At the top, a winged red arrowhead is in homage to the Regiment’s first combat attack in Sicily during the Second World War.
Also known as a unit crest or DUI, the Distinctive Unit Insignia is worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. DUIs are not worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
Full guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1,
Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia."Related Items
505th Infantry Regiment Beret Flash and Oval