So you have just learned that you will be stationed in the illustrious Fort Campbell Kentucky and are on your way to the 101st Airborne decision. The first thing that runs through your head is great, I’m definitely going to have to go to Air Assault school and I’m in for a ton of running on the post that borders Tennessee and Kentucky.
What you don’t know is that you are about to become a member of one of the most decorated and proud units that the United States Army has. The birthday of this proud unit is approaching and I thought it only fitting that we discuss their current operations, and rich history on this day of celebration.
The 101st was not initially concentrated on the Air Assault missions. The Screaming Eagles as they are still known as today would conduct operations and jump into enemy territory, many times behind enemy lines to give the US military a strategic advantage in battle. They were involved in D-Day and the beaches of Normandy and performed exceptionally in the famous Battle of the Bulge. They have continued to participate in every major conflict or war since WWII Receiving numerous unit awards and citations in the process. Here is a current list of those citations:
* [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]] (Army) for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO, VIETNAM 1966 (1st Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN (3rd Brigade only)
* Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for AFGHANISTAN 2010–2011 (2nd Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE (3rd Brigade and DIVARTY only)
* Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA (1st Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for AN NAJAF (1st Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010 (3rd Brigade only)
* Valorous Unit Award for AFGHANISTAN 2010–2011 (2nd Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965–1966 (1st Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968 (3rd Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2003–2004 (1st Brigade only)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2005–2006 (4th Brigade only)
* French Croix de guerre with Palm, World War II for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Belgian Croix de guerre 1940 with Palm for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only);
* Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Belgian [[Fourragère]] 1944 (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
* Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in FRANCE AND BELGIUM (Division and 1st Brigade only)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966–1967 (1st Brigade only)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 (2d Brigade only)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968–1969 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968–1970 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970 (DIVARTY only)
* Navy/Marine Unit Commendation (Army) for Iraq 2005–2006 (4th Brigade only)
* [[Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation]] for Afghanistan 2008–2009 (5–101 AVN only) Joint Meritorious Unit Award for Haiti Operation Uphold Democracy (101st MP CO only)
Today the 101st Screaming Eagles have been re-organized and have a similar but very different mission. The division has ditched the classic means of entering enemy territory and no longer utilizes planes as its primary aircraft. The Screaming Eagles can insert up to 4,000 troops 150 kilometers into enemy territory utilizing rotary aircraft (helicopters for civilians). They continue to answer the calls of our Army, and our nation and we should all wish them a very happy birthday.
