The 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the "Five-Oh-Deuce", was a regiment attached to the 101st Airborne Division during the Second World War.
History[]
Early Days[]
The unit is founded when the US Army is mobilizing for war. It is garrisoned at Fort Benning, Georgia. It is composed of small units from the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion. This meant the unit is lacking in arms and manpower and have to recruit from men from other forts.
Appearances[]
On D-Day, Private Kevin Leggett tried to establish radio contact with the 502nd while preparing to embark on Objective XYZ, using the regiment's callsign "Kickoff".[1]
During Operation Market, they linked up with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (the Five-Oh-Sink), where they were assigned to capture five bridges north-west of the Dutch city of Eindhoven.
Notable Members[]
- Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole (KIA September 18, 1944)
- Lieutenant Colonel Patrick F. Cassidy
- Lieutenant Colonel Steve A. Chappuis
- Captain Robert Fazio (KIA June 6, 1944)
- Captain Wilder
- Lieutenant Homer J. Combs (KIA June 11, 1944)
- First Sergeant Gregory Hassay
- Staff Sergeant Matthew Baker
- Staff Sergeant Joseph Hartsock
- Sergeant Franklin Paddock
- Sergeant Craig Lewis (KIA June 10, 1944)
- Sergeant Bixby (KIA June 6, 1944)
- Sergeant Saunderson
- Corporal Jacob Campbell
- Corporal Samuel Corrion
- Corporal Thomas Zanovich
- Corporal Patrick Kingsley (KIA September 18, 1944)
- Technician 5th Grade Nathan Holden
- Technician 5th Grade Bob Doran (KIA September 18, 1944)
- Private First Class Timothy Connor
- Private First Class Mike Dawson
- Private First Class Jack Courtland
- Private First Class Gary Jasper
- Private First Class Simon Walton (KIA September 18, 1944)
- Private First Class Dean Winchell (KIA September 22, 1944)
- Private First Class Kevin Leggett (KIA June 13, 1944)
- Private First Class Dale McCreary
- Private First Class Stephan Obrieski (KIA June 12, 1944)
- Private First Class James Marsh (KIA September 19, 1944)
- Private First Class Harry Wheaton
- Private First Class John Kings
- Private Larry Allen (KIA June 9, 1944)
- Private Michael Desola (KIA June 10, 1944)
- Private Michael Garnett (KIA June 9, 1944)
- Private David Muzza (KIA June 6, 1944)
- Private Jonny Rivas (KIA June 10, 1944)
- Private Derrick McConnel
- Private William Paige (KIA June 16, 1944)
- Private Franky LaRoche (KIA September 20, 1944)
- Private James Roselli
- Private Thomas Locke
- Private James York (KIA June 10, 1944)
- Private Richard Doe (KIA June 13, 1944)
- Private Nicholas Hooper
- Private Reece Jameson
- Private Boyd (KIA June 10, 1944)
- Gideon
Sources[]
- ↑ Road to Hill 30 (2005), level: "Objective XYZ"