How many Combat Jumps did the 503rd make?
Three jumps in five actions. 1. COMBAT JUMP #1: The Markham Valley, New Guinea, 5 September 1943. After the concept of vertical envelopment came close to being abandoned following several ‘less than successful’ engagements in Europe, this was the first successful US Airborne Combat Jump. We forced the Japanese evacuation of a major base at Lae to take a route which proved to be disastrous for them. The third Battalion of the 503nd had a major skirmish with the rear guard of this exodus. 2. COMBAT JUMP #2: Noemfoor, Dutch New Guinea, July 1944. Two rifle Battalions jumped, followed by an amphibious landing by the other rifle Battalion a few days later. The Regiment was employed in the elimination of the Japanese garrison. Sergeant Ray E. Eubanks was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously. 3. Mindoro, Philippines, 15 December 1944. – Amphibious landing, due to inadequate airstrip facilities at the embarcation point on Leyte. We were subjected to intense air and naval acti
