Glider Badge
Encyclopedia
The Glider Badge was a qualification badge of the United States Army
. According to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, the badge was awarded to personnel who had "been assigned or attached to a glider or airborne unit or to the Airborne Department of the Infantry School; satisfactorily completed a course of instruction, or participated in at least one combat glider mission into enemy-held territory.http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/UniformedServices/Badges/glider.aspx
Following the close of the Second World War, the Glider Badge was authorized to any service member who had completed glider unit training at the Airborne School
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U.S. Army glider units participated in eight glider-airborne operations during WW2. These were the invasion of Sicily (Operation HUSKY, 9-13 JUL 1943), 1st Air Commando Group in Burma (Operation THURSDAY, MAR-MAY 1944), Normandy invasion (Operation NEPTUNE (airborne phase of Operation OVERLORD, 6-8 JUN 1944), invasion of southern France (Operation DRAGOON, 15 AUG 1944), invasion of Netherlands (Operation MARKET, airborne phase of MARKET-GARDEN, 17-23 SEP 1944), re-supply of Bastogne (a flight on 25 DEC 1944 and Operation REPULSE, 26-27 DEC 1944), Rhine River crossing at Wesel (Operation VARSITY, 24 MAR 1945), and finally, at Aparri, Luzon, PI (Operation GYPSY, 23 JUN 1945).
In the post-World War II years, the US Army converted its remaining glider units to parachute and ceased awarding the Glider Badge in 1949, although it remained authorized for wear by those who had earned it.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. According to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, the badge was awarded to personnel who had "been assigned or attached to a glider or airborne unit or to the Airborne Department of the Infantry School; satisfactorily completed a course of instruction, or participated in at least one combat glider mission into enemy-held territory.http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/UniformedServices/Badges/glider.aspx
Following the close of the Second World War, the Glider Badge was authorized to any service member who had completed glider unit training at the Airborne School
United States Army Infantry School
The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade...
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U.S. Army glider units participated in eight glider-airborne operations during WW2. These were the invasion of Sicily (Operation HUSKY, 9-13 JUL 1943), 1st Air Commando Group in Burma (Operation THURSDAY, MAR-MAY 1944), Normandy invasion (Operation NEPTUNE (airborne phase of Operation OVERLORD, 6-8 JUN 1944), invasion of southern France (Operation DRAGOON, 15 AUG 1944), invasion of Netherlands (Operation MARKET, airborne phase of MARKET-GARDEN, 17-23 SEP 1944), re-supply of Bastogne (a flight on 25 DEC 1944 and Operation REPULSE, 26-27 DEC 1944), Rhine River crossing at Wesel (Operation VARSITY, 24 MAR 1945), and finally, at Aparri, Luzon, PI (Operation GYPSY, 23 JUN 1945).
In the post-World War II years, the US Army converted its remaining glider units to parachute and ceased awarding the Glider Badge in 1949, although it remained authorized for wear by those who had earned it.
See also
- Military badges of the United StatesMilitary badges of the United StatesMilitary badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments. Personal recognition is granted to...
- Obsolete badges of the United States militaryObsolete badges of the United States militaryObsolete badges of the United States military are a number of U.S. military insignia which were issued in the early 20th century leading up to and including badges issued during the Second World War. Such badges were eventually phased out of the United States armed forces in favor of the modern...