View allAll Photos Tagged 508TH
New Jersey Army National Guard Pfc. Mercedes Flores, a Soldier with the 508th Military Police Company, holds up a sign for pedestrians driving through a COVID-19 testing site at Kean University in Union, N.J., March 25, 2020. The testing site, is the state’s first county-run, drive-through testing center for COVID-19. The testing center is open Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm for people with an existing appointment or a doctors prescription. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Schwenk)
A US Air Force C-130 Hercules of the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, off-loads the US Army paratroopers of the 1st of the 508th Airborne, 5th Southern European Task Force (SETAF) out of Vicenza, Italy, it was carrying during Exercise VENETO RESCUE on June 6th, 2000 at Aviano Air Base, Italy.
To learn more about U.S. Army Africa, serving with the U.S. Army in Italy or the history of SETAF, visit us online at:
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Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company and the Military Advisor Team III receive a heroes farewell at a Salute to Troops Ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Teaneck, July 15. The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers will be deploying for a year-long assignment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez)
Photo by Lewis Perkins/Paraglide
Master Sgt. (ret.) Jennifer Loredo and her Family unveil a plaque marking the naming of the Staff Sgt. Edwardo Loredo Child Development Center during a ceremony held at the new facility on Pope Field, Friday. The dedication honored the sacrifice of Loredo, who was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan on June 24, 2010. The Fort Bragg Child, Youth and School Services dedicated the hourly-care facility to the memory of the paratrooper, whose Family were patrons of the installation’s child development centers.
U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard's 508th Military Police Company take part in the updated combat pistol qualification course (CPQC) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)
CW2 Anthony Wozniak, CH-47 Chinook pilot, assigned with 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, coordinates with Staff Sgt. John Carson, infantrymen pathfinder, assigned with Bravo Company, 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment to ensure the correct frequency channels are set in order to communication between both units. The training helped to increase the unit’s interoperability and validate the leadership on air assault planning, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, August 4.(U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Adan Cazarez)
Families and friends welcome home Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company, New Jersey National Guard, at the Lawrenceville Armory June 6, 2013. The 508th returned from a nearly year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez/Released)
U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard's 508th Military Police Company take part in the updated combat pistol qualification course (CPQC) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)
Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment continue to play a pivotal Army role in assessing the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN), this time while conducting a live-fires exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind.
Soldiers assigned to 2-508th PIR, 2nd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division conduct live fire rehearsal at peason Ridge training area, October 3, 2016 during rotation 17-01 at JRTC.
Soldiers from 1-508th IN, 1-82 ABN DIV prepare for live fire at Peason Ridge Training Area, Oct. 27, 2015, at JRTC.
International Security Assistance Force Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall went on patrol and visited with Soldiers from the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in and around Kandahar City on June 28, 2010 during his battlefield circulation.
(Photo by U.S. Army SFC Matthew Chlosta, ISAF PAO)
Soldiers from 1-508th IN, 1-82 ABN DIV prepare for live fire at Peason Ridge Training Area, Oct. 27, 2015, at JRTC.
Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment continue to play a pivotal Army role in assessing the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN), this time while conducting a live-fires exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind.
New Jersey Army National Guard Cpl. Alyson Feliciano, a Soldier with the 508th Military Police Company, stands post at a COVID-19 Testing Site at Kean University in Union, N.J., March 25, 2020. The testing site, is the state’s first county-run, drive-through testing center for COVID-19. The testing center is open Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm for people with an existing appointment or a doctors prescription. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Schwenk)
A U.S. Army Military Police Soldier with the New Jersey Army National Guard heads to his car after the welcome home ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Cherry Hill, N.J., March 2, 2021. More than 100 Citizen-Soldiers with the 328th and the 508th Military Police Companies returned home after completing a nine-month deployment with U.S. Southern Command performing security operations. Due to the Coronavirus, the traditional welcome home ceremony was held in the parking lot outside the armory to maintain proper social distancing. (New Jersey National Guard photo by Mark C. Olsen)
Nous empruntons à Didier Lodieu, page 144 de son livre Mourir pour Saint-Lô, Histoire & Collections, 2007, la légende de la photo :
Plusieurs blessés quittent un poste de premier secours avec l'aide d'infirmiers qui les emmènent sur la plate-forme arrière d'un camion récupéré. Cette scène réaliste montre l'organisation des services de santé aux premières heures des combats. II faut aller vite, très vite. Les ambulances ne sont pas encore arrivées. Dans la rue, au loin, nous apercevons un corps. Un bâton au bout duquel pend un drapeau à Croix-Rouge a été fixé dans une gouttière, près de la porte où se trouvaient les blessés. Du matériel a été jeté précipitamment sur la plate-forme, en vrac. Le blessé qui regarde l'objectif dispose de sa carte d'évacuation. Il s'agit ici d'hommes de la 82nd Airborne Division, probablement touchés lors des durs combats pour la côte 95.
Colline Sainte Catherine (IGN=92) au nord-est de La Haye du Puits enlevée définitivement le 5 juillet au matin par : le 2nd Bn du 508th PIR, un Bn du 505th PIR, avec des éléments du 325th Glider Infantry Regiment tous de la 82nd US AB.
La division retourne en Grande-Bretagne le 17.
Selon ce site, 7ème photo: med-dept.com/gallery/gallery.php?category=Airborne Medical
Il s'agirait de personnel médical du 325th GIR Medics (82nd US AB), par contre il faut lire " mid july ". En effet cette division n'arrive sur le front de La Haye du Puits, en renfort des 79 et 90th US ID, que le 3 juillet.
Selon Dominique François dans l'article : Une nuit d'enfer de la revue 2e Guerre mondiale N°16, page 41.
" Dans le village d'Etienville, des parachutistes ont installé une First Aid Unit dans une grange "
Ce village est à 17 km au Nord-est de La Haye du Puits
New Jersey Army National Guard Spc. Nidhi Rakholia, a Soldier with the 508th Military Police Company, holds up a sign for pedestrians driving through a COVID-19 testing site at Kean University in Union, N.J., March 25, 2020. The testing site, is the state’s first county-run, drive-through testing center for COVID-19. The testing center is open Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm for people with an existing appointment or a doctors prescription. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Schwenk)
Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company and the Military Advisor Team III receive a heroes farewell at a Salute to Troops Ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Teaneck, July 15. The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers will be deploying for a year-long assignment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez)
Families and friends welcome home Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company, New Jersey National Guard, at the Lawrenceville Armory June 6, 2013. The 508th returned from a nearly year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez/Released)
Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company and the Military Advisor Team III receive a heroes farewell at a Salute to Troops Ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Teaneck, July 15. The New Jersey National Guard Soldiers will be deploying for a year-long assignment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez)
An Afghanistan national army air corps flight engineer waits for passengers to board an MI-17 helicopter during a joint U.S. and Afghan sortie flown by pilots from the 437th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and ANAAC pilots Jan. 7, 2010, at Forward Operating Base Tarin Kowt. Afghanistan National Army Air Corps soldiers delivered 30 passengers and one pallet of cargo destined for 82nd Airborne Soldiers with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Forward Operating Base Tarin Kowt. Missions like this are becoming more common as 441st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Airmen continue empowering Afghans to take care of their own security by mentoring MI-17 helicopter pilots.(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)
On the eve of the 75th D Day invasion into France, I lit a candle to remember the brave American 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment ('Red Devils') of the 82nd Airborne.
They had camped in Wollaton Park after training in Northern Ireland would be based here in Nottingham for the invasion of France 'Operation Overlord', Normandy at 2:15 a.m. on 6th June 1944.
Nottingham folks had noticed that by the end of May they had gone, of course the invasion was secret. Later survivors 995 returned out of 2,056. 307 had paid the ultimate price, returned on 13th July to now prepare for Operation Market Garden, jumping on 17th September 1944.
My Mother a young Girl of 16 and Grandma befriended a 'Serviceman named Burton Bell'. I know little about Burton but sadly he was killed. I have tried to trace Burton but no luck as yet.
I spent an hour last night in respect and memory for for Burton and the 'many who gave so much for our freedoms.
Staff Sergeant Scott W. Brunkhorst, U.S. Army
Scott W. Brunkhorst (508th Parachute Infantry Regiment):
www.508pir.org/taps/graves/b/brunkhorst_sw.htm
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
Des parachutistes de la 82nd US Airborne s'ajustent mutuellement leurs parachutes.
Entraînement avant le 6 juin (?) ou juste avant l'embarquement (5 ou 6 juin) comme peut le laisser supposer la présence du flag brassard cousu sur les uniformes juste avant le saut sur la Normandie.
Voir le patch :
www.flickr.com/photos/mlq/4437070267/
Au centre un Sgt. A l'arrière droit un S/Sgt. En arrière plan une tente.
Selon ce livre, page 45 :
www.flickr.com/photos/mlq/3337225553/
Photo prise sur la base de la RAF Ã Salty (Leicestershire) en Angleterre.
www.controltowers.co.uk/S/Saltby.htm
Ce ne peut être que :
- le 2/508thPIR, Série 20 transportée par le 314th TCG avec 36 appareils sur la DZ "N " Picauville pour 02h08
www.6juin1944.com/assaut/aeropus/page.php?page=s20
-HHQ Co 508th PIR, la B(-)/307th Eng ou la "Force A" HQ Série 21 transportée par le 314th TCG avec 24 appareils sur la DZ "N " Picauville pour 02h14
www.6juin1944.com/assaut/aeropus/page.php?page=s21
au total le 314th TCG dispose de 51 C-47 et 9 C-53, pour cette mission " Boston ", le 314th TCG comptera : 1 tué, 16 avions endommagés et un avion disparu.
Cette photo est présentée dans cette page d'un site sur les Red Devils
www.red-devils.org/_regthist/para_1942.shtml
voir la p013487
A New Jersey Army National Guard Soldier, with the 508th Military Police Company, provides traffic control at a COVID-19 Testing Site at Kean University in Union, N.J., March 25, 2020. The testing site, is the state’s first county-run, drive-through testing center for COVID-19. The testing center is open Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm for people with an existing appointment or a doctors prescription. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Schwenk)
Soldiers from 1-508th IN, 1-82 ABN DIV prepare for live fire at Peason Ridge Training Area, Oct. 27, 2015, at JRTC.
U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard's 508th Military Police Company take part in the updated combat pistol qualification course (CPQC) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)
International Security Assistance Force Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall went on patrol and visited with Soldiers from the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in and around Kandahar City on June 28, 2010 during his battlefield circulation.
(Photo by U.S. Army SFC Matthew Chlosta, ISAF PAO)
Sgt. 1st Class Trevor Munn, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, reenlists indefinitely aboard a C-17 Globemaster III prior to conducting an airborne operation, Feb. 17, 2016 at Fort Bragg, N.C. Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg commanding general, administered the oath of enlistment.
International Security Assistance Force Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall went on patrol and visited with Soldiers from the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in and around Kandahar City on June 28, 2010 during his battlefield circulation.
(Photo by U.S. Army SFC Matthew Chlosta, ISAF PAO)
130426-A-0000-002: Sgt. Rose Brown, (front left), from Modesto, Calif., a military police officer assigned to the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, poses for a picture with members of the All-Army bowling team after taking top honors in the female category at the 2013 Armed Forces Bowling Championships, held April 23 to 26 at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sgt. Brown has competed in international competitions since 2006 and has deployed to Afghanistan, working with the Afghan National Police and the 4th BCT’s female engagement teams.(Courtesy Photo)
Soldiers from 1-508th IN, 1-82nd ABN DIV go through live fire rehearsal at Peason Ridge Training Area, Oct. 28, 2015 at JRTC.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Stephen R. Vergilio Jr., 328th Military Police Company, New Jersey Army National Guard, heads to his car after the welcome home ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Cherry Hill, N.J., March 2, 2021. More than 100 Citizen-Soldiers with the 328th and the 508th Military Police Companies returned home after completing a nine-month deployment with U.S. Southern Command performing security operations. Due to the Coronavirus, the traditional welcome home ceremony was held in the parking lot outside the armory to maintain proper social distancing. (New Jersey National Guard photo by Mark C. Olsen)
Two paratroopers photographed during training, whilst based at Cromore near Portstewart.
Taken by Lt. Henry E. "Hank" LeFebvre
Used with permission of the LeFebvre family, via: www.508pir.org/album_lefebvre/index.html
U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard's 508th Military Police Company take part in the updated combat pistol qualification course (CPQC) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)
International Security Assistance Force Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall went on patrol and visited with Soldiers from the 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division in and around Kandahar City on June 28, 2010 during his battlefield circulation.
(Photo by U.S. Army SFC Matthew Chlosta, ISAF PAO)
New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 508th Military Police Company, 108th Wing, and 177th Fighter Wing arrive near the Capitol to set up security positions in Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2021. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)
Families and friends welcome home Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company, New Jersey National Guard, at the Lawrenceville Armory June 6, 2013. The 508th returned from a nearly year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez/Released)
A Paratrooper assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment takes cover after throwing a grenade into a trench during a Squad Live Fire Exercise at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., March 14, 2018. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Paratroopers trained at Fort A.P. Hill for two weeks in March to hone their combat skills through realistic training scenarios.(Photos by Spc. John Lytle)
During World War II, the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508th PIR or Red Devils) was a regiment of the 82d Airborne Division which in turn became part of XVIII Airborne Corps of the United States Army.
The regiment was activated on 20 October 1942 at Camp Blanding, Florida. Lt. Col. Roy E. Lindquist formed the unit and remained its commander throughout World War II.[1] After extensive training and maneuvers the unit embarked on 19 December 1943 in New York and sailed on 28 December 1943 for Belfast, Northern Ireland, arriving on 8 January 1944. After additional training at Cronmore, the unit was moved by ship to Glasgow, Scotland and by train on the 13 March 1944 to Wollaton Park, Nottinghamshire, England. Wollaton Park was shared as a base camp with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
The unit participated in Operation Overlord, jumping into Normandy on at 2:15 a.m. on 6 June 1944. Their immediate objectives were to capture Sainte-Mère-Église, secure crossings at the Merderet River near laFiere and Chef-du-Pont, and establish a defensive line north from Neuville-au-Plain to Breuzeville-au-Plain. There they were to tie in with the 502nd Infantry Regiment. Like most paratroop units in Operation Overlord, they were dropped in the wrong locations and had extraordinary difficulty linking up with each other.
Portions of the 508th regrouped and remained in contact with German forces until relieved on July 7 when they became the division reserve force. On July 13, they were transported back to England via two LST's and returned to their station at Wollaton Park. Of the 2056 troops who participated in the D-Day landings, only 995 returned. The regiment suffered 1061 casualties, of which 307 were killed in action.
Families and friends welcome home Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company, New Jersey National Guard, at the Lawrenceville Armory June 6, 2013. The 508th returned from a nearly year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez/Released)
U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard's 508th Military Police Company take part in the updated combat pistol qualification course (CPQC) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 10, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Juan Rosado, New Jersey Air National Guard, stands for a portrait at East Orange General Hospital, East Orange, N.J., May 1, 2020. New Jersey National Guard Airmen have been assisting the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management in reopening a wing of the East Orange General Hospital in response to the COVID-19 relief effort. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Michael Schwenk)
Maj. Gen. Richard D. Clarke, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, speaks to jumpers from 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, during the Little Group of Paratroopers event of All American Week 2016,Fort Bragg, N.C. May 23. The LGOP event tested the paratroopers on their essential task list with events such as rigging their equipment, readying their equipment for service, and a layout of all required equipment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman/ 82nd CAB PAO)
Soldiers from 1-508th IN, 1-82 ABN DIV prepare for live fire at Peason Ridge Training Area, Oct. 27, 2015, at JRTC.
Soldiers from 1-508th IN, 1-82 ABN DIV prepare for live fire at Peason Ridge Training Area, Oct. 27, 2015, at JRTC.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise, le jour le plus long du 505th.
Bien qu’une heure du matin soit passée en ce 6 juin 1944, les habitants du village de Sainte-Mère-Eglise se pressent sur la place de l’église. Malgré le couvre-feu et alertés par le tocsin, ils ont découvert la maison en feu de Julia Pommier et s’affairent le long d’une chaîne humaine afin de circonscrire l’incendie. Encadrés par les soldats allemands du Grenadier-Régiment 1058, 91. Infanterie-Division, les normands perçoivent un bruit au loin. Depuis 23h, ce vrombissement se fait entendre, mais là , le bruit s’amplifie.
Puis dans la nuit, les civils sont médusés : des avions passent en formation. Une première vague, puis une deuxième venant de l’Ouest survole la péninsule du Cotentin. Les habitants, comme l’occupant allemand, sentaient que quelque chose se préparait, que les alliés allaient bientôt tenter de percer ce Mur de l’Atlantique. Mais ils ignoraient où et quand ?
Il est 1h15 (heure française) et la troisième vague se présente au-dessus de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Soudain, les C-47 crachent leurs volées de parachutistes, pris pour cibles par les rafales allemandes. Les hommes de la 82nd US Airborne Division s’élancent vers le sol de France, au Nord-Ouest du futur secteur Utah Beach. Le Jour J, les régiments de la division aéroportée ont 3 missions principales :
•Le 505th Parachute Infantry Régiment doit s’emparer de Sainte-Mère-Eglise, codé Brooklyn pour les alliés, et de son réseau de communications stratégiques sur la RN13. Le 505th doit également capturer et tenir deux ponts sur le Merderet, à La Fière et Chef-du-Pont. Puis les paras devront signaler et sécuriser la Landing Zone W pour les planeurs.
•Le 507th PIR doit cloisonner le secteur à l’Ouest du Merderet et soutenir le 505th pour la défense des ponts.
•Le 508th PIR doit détruire les ponts de Beuzeville et former la réserve de la division.
Cependant les tirs de la Flak ennemie et le stress des pilotes de C-47 rendent les largages des parachutistes difficiles. Devant être droppés plus au Sud, vers Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, des membres de la 101st US Airborne Division se retrouvent largués avec leurs camarades de la 82nd Airborne.
Il est 1h15, et ce sont d'abord les boys des 502nd et 506th PIR, 101st US Airborne, qui se balancent au-dessus du bourg de Sainte-Mère-Eglise. Le maire Alexandre Renaud enjoint ses administrés à se rendre aux abris. La F Compagny du 505th arrive ensuite sur le guêpier de la place du village. Les allemands ouvrent le feu sur les corolles flottant au vent. Alfred Van Holsbeck se dirige vers les flammes de la maison Pommier. Il hurle, puis péri dans le brasier. Destinée cruelle, des hommes meurent avant d'avoir touché le sol. Six parachutistes pendent aux arbres, tués dans leurs harnais.
L’institutrice va aux toilettes quand une ombre imposante apparait. Robert Murphy vient de toucher terre à vingt mètres d’elle. Les arbres de la place de l’église reçoivent la visite du para Blanchard, qui pour se dégager et échapper à la tuerie, sectionne ses sangles et un de ses deux pouces sans s’en apercevoir. Cliff Maughan atterrit dans le jardin de Mr Monnier, le vétérinaire, et est mis en joue par Werner, un officier allemand. Mais ce dernier, comprenant l’importance du largage américain, se rend à son tour au soldat Maughan.
Au coin Nord-Ouest de l’église, John M. Steele reste accroché par son parachute à l’édifice. Quant à Kenneth Russel, sa toile se prend au toit du transept Nord. En essayant de prendre son poignard, Steele le fait maladroitement tomber à proximité d’un allemand. Le feldgrau lève la tête et ouvre le feu sur le para, le blessant au pied. Steele se résout alors à faire le mort pendant deux à trois heures, malmené par le bruyant tumulte des cloches. Positionné dans le clocher, Rudolf May agrippe le parachute de Steele et hisse l’américain hors du vide (fait prisonnier, Steele parviendra à s’échapper deux ou trois jours plus tard. Il souffrira plusieurs semaines de surdité, mais réalisera son quatrième saut de combat lors de l’opération Market Garden en Hollande en septembre 1944).
Aux alentours, des éléments du 505th PIR ont atterri et se sont regroupés pour donner l’assaut. Dans le même temps les allemands sont perplexes face aux évènements. Ils quittent le bourg et partent en direction du Sud vers le château de Fauville.
Le 3/505th avance prudemment dans les rues de la commune, bientôt rejoint par le Lieutenant-Colonel Krause et 158 hommes. Vers 5h, Sainte-Mère-Eglise est aux mains des américains, et pour quelques minutes à 6h30, le drapeau étoilé flotte sur l’hôtel de ville. Vers 9h, 360 paras du 3/505th tiennent le village, retranchés derrière 7 barrages routiers.
Néanmoins, les paras du Général Ridgway doivent empêcher les contre-attaques dans le secteur. Le 2/505th se met en position défensive au Nord, à Neuville-au-Plain. Leur commandant, le Lieutenant-Colonel Vandervoort se déplace dans une remorque à munition, la cheville gauche brisée lors de son atterrissage. Son supérieur, le Colonel Ekman, n’arrivait pas à joindre le 3rd battalion. Inquiet, il a donc ordonné à Vandervoort de rejoindre le groupe de Krause.
Les américains doivent encaisser les nombreux assauts des allemands, déterminés à reprendre possession du village et de son nœud routier. Dès 9h30, les combats sont acharnés et les Sainte-Mère-Eglisais paient un lourd tribut pour leur libération. Blessé trois fois dans la journée, Le Lieutenant-Colonel Krause laisse la place à Vandervoort et au Major Hagan. Au crépuscule du D-Day, Sainte-Mère-Eglise est un bastion isolé. Les parachutistes accusent de lourdes pertes et le moral est bas. Le 7 juin, même sans nouvelles du VIIth US Corps débarqué la veille sur Utah Beach, ils doivent tenir leur avantage. Car à 9h, l’artillerie allemande fracasse l’entrée Nord du village. Des blindés s’approchent sur la RN13, mais les paras neutralisent la menace. Enfin, vers 15h, le contact est établi avec des GI’s du 8th Infantry Régiment, 4th US Infantry Division. Après l’emploi d’autres tirs d’artillerie, les allemands relâchent peu à peu leur pression dans la soirée. Après 40 heures de combats, les habitants peuvent souffler et savourer la fin de l’Occupation.
Pour les hommes de la 82nd US Airborne Division, la Bataille de Normandie commence, Sainte-Mère-Eglise n’étant que la première étape d’une campagne qui durera 35 jours.
L'ultime tir du Sergent Ray
Le Jour J, le Sergent John P. Ray (photo ci-contre) est membre de la Fox Compagny du 505th PIR. Il glisse avec son parachute le long du toit de l’église de Sainte-Mère-Eglise puis chute lourdement. Un autre para de sa compagnie, John Steele, voit sa toile s’accrocher au clocher. Il n'est pas seul, car Kenneth Russel est également en mauvaise posture, lui-aussi resté suspendu un peu plus bas contre le transept de l'église. Un allemand assiste à ces péripéties. Cependant ce dernier remarque aussi au sol le Sgt Ray et fait d’abord feu sur lui, le touchant mortellement à l'estomac. Puis l’allemand vise John Steele et Kenneth Russel. Soudain, le Sgt Ray se redresse et abat son agresseur dans un ultime effort. Il sauve ainsi la vie de ses camarades mais succombe ensuite. Sa tombe se trouve au cimetière militaire américain de Colleville-sur-mer, plot E, rangée 26, tombe 36.
Devant l’église est aujourd'hui placé un monument qui rappelle la libération de la commune par les paras américains. A l’intérieur du bâtiment religieux deux vitraux rendent hommage aux hommes de la 82nd US Airborne Division, et un mannequin placé sur le clocher envoi un clin d’oeil à l’odyssée de John Steele (décédé le 16 mai 1969). Des impacts sont encore visibles sur la façade, car les troupes aéroportées ont dû tirer sur le clocher pour déloger des vigies allemandes.
Rendez-vous à l'Airborne Muséum, à droite de la place de l’église. Trois bâtiments, dont la première pierre fut posée par le Général Gavin en 1962, vous propose de revivre et comprendre les préparatifs et l’action des 82nd et 101st US Airborne Divisions. L’un abrite un planeur Waco, le seul d’Europe. On y voit notamment une réplique d’un rupert, ces mannequins largués lors de l'opération Titanic pour leurrer l’ennemi allemand. L’autre abrite un C-47, et des bornes présentent une riche documentation sur la libération du village. Deux films racontent les évènements de l’opération Overlord.
Une extension a été inaugurée en mai 2014 et permet aux visiteurs de s'immerger dans l'épopée des paras américains aux premières heures de la Libération de la France. Devant l’accueil (ou se trouvait la fameuse maison en flammes), un Char américain Sherman et un canon sont exposés.
A l’intérieur du village une dizaine de panneaux jalonnent les rues et racontent les évènements passés. La commune regroupe également plusieurs magasins de militaria, qui font le bonheur des amateurs de tous horizons.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise abrita le premier cimetière américain de la Libération et regroupait 13 000 dépouilles (photos ci-dessous). En 1948, les corps furent rapatriés soit aux Etats-Unis, ou déposés aux cimetières de Saint-James et Colleville-sur-mer. Une stèle commémorative près du complexe sportif marque depuis l’emplacement ou il se trouvait auparavant (voir l'article Les cimetières provisoires américains de Sainte-Mère-Eglise).
Families and friends welcome home Soldiers from the 508th Military Police Company, New Jersey National Guard, at the Lawrenceville Armory June 6, 2013. The 508th returned from a nearly year-long deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez/Released)