NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 82nd AIRBORNE LIVING HISTORY ORGANIZATION 3rd Platoon E Co. 2nd BN 505PIR 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION Sicily Naples-Foggia Normandy Ardennes-Alsace Central Europe |
6 Jul 42 activated at Ft Benning Ga and assigned to the AirborneCommand; assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division on 10 Feb 43 and moved to Ft Bragg N.C. 12 Feb 43; staged at Cp Edwards Mass 21 Apr 43 until departed New York P/E 28 Apr 43; landed in North Aftrica 10 May 43 and assaulted Gela Sicily on 9 Jul 43; returned to North Africa 19 Aug 43 and to Sicily 4 Sep 43; landed in Italy 13 Sep 43 and departed 19 Nov 43; arrived Ireland 9 Dec 43 and England 14 Feb 44; assaultedNormandy France 6 Jun 44 and returned to England 13 Jul 44; assaulted Nijmegen-Arnhem Holland 17 Sep 44; returned to France 14 Nov 44 and crossed into Belgium 18 Dec 44 and entered Germany 30 Jan 45; returned to France 19 Feb 45 and reentered Germany 2 Apr 45; returned to New York P/E 3 Jan 46 and moved to Ft Bragg N.C. 16 Jan 46 where remained active thru 1946 (From Shelby Stantons "WWII Order of Battle) |
The Northern California 82nd Airborne Living History Organization is a non-profit public benefit educational society that exists for the purpose of instruction and re-creation of the life and times of the period 1939-1945. It is our objective and goal to honor and thank those who contributed to our great nation during WWII. We portray the soldiers of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne division through public events, educational activities and battle reenactments. It is a true honor to pay homeage to the vetrans of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of WWII and to keep the memory of their service to their country alive through our impression. If you are interested in World War II living history and the 82nd Airborne Division in particular, please contact us via Email for more information on our organization and activities. The Northern California Living History Organization and it's members are located in the general San Francisco Bay area, we are currently recruiting new members. |
Turk Seelye E Co 505PIR |
Left to right: Bill Eppler, Bill Embury, and Turk Seelye Alcomo, Sicily 1943 |
Otis Sampson E Co. 505PIR (His own words) "This picture was taken in Ste. Mere Eglese when a couple of tanks finally broke loose to us and we made our advance hitting the Germans on the outskirts of the city, wiping most of them out. The 60mm mortar played a big part in that battle. (German positions were held by the 2BN, 58th Regiment) The German shelter under y arm had been to cover the back of my 1st gunner, Harry G. Pickels who was just getting over a bad case of malaria, but insisted he would make the jump if he had to crawl out the door on his hands and knees". Otis L. Sampson participated in all four 82nd Airborne Combat Jumps (Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland) Oldest man in E Co. Born 1911 |
THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO THE BRAVE PARATROOPERS OF THE 505th PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN WWII AND THOSE THAT CAME HOME. |
God All Mighty! In a few short hours we will be in battle with the enemy. We do not join battle afraid. We do not ask favors or indulgence but ask that if You will, use us as Your instruments for the right and an aid in returning peace to the world. We do not know or seek what our fate will be We ask only this, that if die we must, that we die as men would die, without pleading and safe in the feeling that we have done our best for what we believed was right. Oh Lord ! Protect our loved ones. Be near us in the fire ahead and with us now as we pray to You. Prayer given prior to the Normandy Invasion |
TRAINING NCO, RAY BEAZLEY, Lt.Col (US Army Retired) |
Lt. Hagins , Platoon Leader |
E Co. 505 PIR Fort Bragg, North Carolina 1942 |
MAX |
T- 5 James "Portugee" Soares |
Sicily July 1943 Tom Levey Galleguillos 3rd Platoon Bartender |
Lt. Hagins informs 3rd Platoon of the day's mission Fort Ord "Market Garden" Battle Photo By: Rosey Lakos |
Sgt. Beazley explains the finer points of entering buildings as a squad in an urban environment. Photo By: Rosey Lakos |
Pvt. Jim Sullivan |
If you live in Northern or Central California and are interested in WWII reenacting and 82nd Airborne living history please send us an email. |
Pvt. Skip Johnson with Ed Pepping Original Tacoa member of E Co. 2/506 Photo By: Rosey Lakos |
Pvt. Camille Gagne E Co. KIA Holland Sept 1944 |
3rd Platoon, E Co. 2/505 CAMP ROBERTS |
Paul Aronowitz E Co. Sicily August 8, 1943 |
I Co. Commander Capt. Archibald McPheeters II. KIA Belgium Jan 3, 1945 |
Ernie Lavario and the boys from Reno,Nevada |
3rd Platoon "Road Ambush" at Camp Roberts |
CAMP ROBERTS |
E Co. Bazooka takes out German Panther at the Fort Ord "Market Garden" event sponsored by the Norcal 82nd AB Organization Photo By : Rosey Lakos |
