Formed during World War I in 1917, the 82nd Airborne Division earned its famous "All American" moniker—symbolized by the iconic "AA" patch—because its initial draftees hailed from all 48 states. It made history in 1942 when it was reconstituted as the U.S. Army's first airborne division, going on to cement its legendary status during World War II with daring combat jumps into Sicily, Normandy on D-Day and the Netherlands. Earning the post-war title of "America's Guard of Honor," the division has subsequently served in almost every major U.S. conflict, including Vietnam, Panama, the Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Among the legendary veterans of the 82nd, Lt. Gen. James "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin (1907–1990) became a pioneering 82nd Airborne commander in WWII, renowned as the Army's youngest division commander at age 36 and the highest-ranking officer to jump on D-Day. The West Point graduate was the only American general to make four combat jumps: Sicily, Salerno, Normandy and Market Garden.