Who are the Blue Devils?

TODAY-

The "Blue Devils" of the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment stand ready as part of America's Guard of Honor, the 82nd Airborne Division, to deploy anywhere in the world on 18-hours notice, fight upon arrival and WIN.   Airborne All the Way!

 IN THE PAST -

 During World War I the Chasseurs Alpins,  nicknamed "les Diables Bleus," were well known French soldiers. They first gained attention when their unique training and alpine knowledge was counted upon to break the stalemate of trench warfare in their native region of the French Alps. Unfortunately the Vosges Campaign in March, 1915, failed to alter the status quo even though the Blue Devils won accolades for their courage. However, their distinctive blue uniform with flowing cape and jaunty beret captured public imagination. When the United States entered the war, units of the French Blue Devils toured the country helping raise money in the war effort. Irving Berlin captured their spirit in song describing them as "strong and active, most attractive . . . those Devils, the Blue Devils of France."

Since that time, 

3rd Battalion,
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment
"Blue Devils"

was created.

History of the 3rd Battalion,
 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment

The Blue Devils of the 3rd Battalion were activated on 1 May, 1942 as part of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), Fort Benning Georgia.  On 15 August, 1942 the Regiment was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The Battalion first saw combat duty in World War II.  Late in April, 1943, the Regiment deployed to Algeria.  On 9 June, 1943, the 3rd Battalion, attached to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, made its first combat jump into Sicily.

    The Battalion later linked up with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Alta Villa by the request of Colonel Reuben Tucker, the Regimental Commander.  The 3rd Battalion succeeded in turning the tide for the Regiment and upheld the motto of "Strike Hold".  The Regiment then went on to Anzio, Italy, where it earned the nickname "Devils in Baggy Pants".

    The Battalion then jumped into Nijmegen, Holland as part of Operation Market Garden.  In one of the most heroic efforts of the war, the Battalion, lead by Major Julian Cook, conducted a daylight river crossing of the Waal River to secure the Nijmegen Bridge.  This epic battle was immortalized in the book and motion picture "A Bridge Too Far".  The Battalion later crossed the Rhine River in support of the Regimental operation to capture the garrison at Cheneux, Belgium.  Following occupation duty with the 82nd Airborne Division in Berlin, the 3rd Battalion returned to Fort Bragg.  In 1957 the 3rd Battalion was reorganized into the 3rd Airborne Battle Group which was subsequently deactivated.

    On 1 May, 1986, exactly 44 years from its original activation date, the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was reactivated from the 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry to reconstitute the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.  Back with the Regiment, the Battalion was once again a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division.

    The Battalion fought in Operation Just Cause in the Republic of Panama.  At 0100 hours on 20 December, 1990 (H-Hour), Task Force 3-504 conducted simultaneous assaults onto four PDF targets.   During 14 days of continuous operations, Task Force 3-504 conducted four air assaults, one amphibious assault, seized 10 major objectives, and captured 165 EPWs and 2,382 weapons.  Although 31Task Force soldiers were wounded in action, the Battalion brought all of its soldiers home alive.

    As a response to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, Task Force 3-504 deployed to Saudi Arabia on 18 August, 1990, joining other 82nd Airborne Division units in drawing President Bush's "line in the sand".  After six months of intensified training and war planning during Operation Desert Shield, the Task Force crossed the Iraqi border on 24February, 1991 with the commencement of the ground phase of Operation Desert Storm.  The Task Force swept north well into Iraqi territory ultimately becoming engaged in follow-and-support combat operations behind the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized).  The Task Force destroyed over 198 tons of Iraqi military hardware and 53,880 rounds of Iraqi ammunition.  It also discovered the Republican Guard Command (RGFC), Special Operations Division command center, garnering significant records and equipment of intelligence value.  The Battalion's main body returned to Fort Bragg on 4 April, 1991.  The last elements of the Battalion returned to Fort Bragg on 12 April, 1991.

    The "Blue Devils" of the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment stand ready as part of America's Guard of Honor, the 82nd Airborne Division, to deploy anywhere in the world on 18-hours notice, fight upon arrival and WIN.   Airborne All the Way!