Assault Infantry

Operation Overlord was a success, thanks in great part to the airborne troops of the Allies. As in most armies, U.S. paratroopers were among their most elite troops, and they distinguished themselves in a number of large-scale operations. 

During the German counterattack in Ardennes in December, Pfc Martin of the 82nd Airborne Division famously yelled to a sergeant in a retreating tank destroyer: "Pull your vehicle behind me — I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!" U.S. airborne divisions were formed on a voluntary basis.