The 511th PIR was activated on 5 January 1943 at Camp Toccoa, Gerogia. On 23 March 1943, the regiment joined the 11th Airborne Division at Camp Mackall, North Carolina before completeing Parachute Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and moving to Fort Polk, Louisiana for maneuvers. In May of 1944, the 511th departed Pittsburgh, California for New Guinea where they conducted training for the campaign to liberate the Philippenes.

The regiment would participate in the fight for Leyte and subsequently perform a combat jump on Tagaytay Ridge, Luzon. B Co, 511th PIR would jump again to liberate the Los Banos prison on 23 February 1945. The 511th would fight during the Battle of Manila and execute another combat jump at Aparri in Northern Luzon. Following the surrender of Japan the regiment would earn the distinction as the first Allied unit to land on Japan, by securing Atusgi Air Base for General MacArthur’s arrival. It would remain in Japan on occupation duty until February of 1949.

The 511th PIR is one of the alternate impressions we do throughout the year. We strive to accurately portray the regiment throughout it’s time in World War II and do numerous events representing the regiment in their birthplace of Toccoa, Georgia. We advise recruits to complete either their 504th PIR or 325th GIR kits before taking on the 511th PIR impression.

Our goal is to make this process a less daunting for our new recruits. Remember, your mentor and the rest of our members are always available to answer your questions as it pertains to building your 511th PIR impression.