History

On April 16, 1951, the 508 AIR was reactivated at Fort Bragg, NC,
and on May 5th, they held their reactivation day parade on the
parade ground of the 504th AIR. Most of the Regiment was made up
of Airborne recruits who had just completed Basic Training.
A few weeks later the unit moved to Fort Benning, Georgia for their
jump training and to their new home at Sand Hill, an unpopular
part of Fort Benning. In August 1951, the 508 Airborne Regimental
Combat Team was formed and Support Company was born.
The regimental Crest was approved for wear by the US Army on
September 4, 1951
On October 15, 1951, the 508th Airborne Regiment Combat Team
shoulder sleeve patch was approved for wear.
In December 1951, Support Company and the Regiment moved to
Camp Rucker, Alabama where they were the aggressor pitted against
the 47th Infantry Division. The Red Devils were so skilled in quick
movements and aggressiveness that the 47th was unofficially
proclaimed to have lost the exercise.
Exercise Long Horn was the next big field exercise the unit
participated in at Fort Hood, Texas. During this exercise, April 8,
1952, the Red Devils were slated to conduct a massive air drop
despite the forecast of high winds on the drop zone. The Red Devils
hit the silk with disregard of the weather conditions and encountered
winds in excess of 20 MPH. In the regiment, over 200 troopers were
injured, 196 serious enough to be hospitalized. General Collins,
Army Chief of Staff was visiting Fort Hood and after being told of
the injuries said"I was satisfied with the jump. It is a dangerous
thing to do and that's why the Airborne is an all volunteer force.
That's why they get paid extra."
During the remainder of their stay at Fort Benning, Support
Company continued to train as part of the combat team, support the
Infantry School, provided cadre for ROTC summer camp, and
provided instructors and aggressors in support of the Ranger School
at both its locations in North Georgia and Florida camps.
In late 1952 and 1953, the unit's strength was depleted due to the
need of replacements in Korea.
On February 15, 1954 the Unit received orders to move to Fort
Campbell, Kentucky and on April 8, 1954, the unit was reorganized
and attached to the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.
Shortly after the unit settled in, some members of the unit
participated in a Jump from the C-124 Aircraft with the first
Battalion, who became one of the first units to jump from this plane.
Seventeen Months after arriving at Fort Campbell the unit was
ordered to another change of station. This time Support Company
and the rest of the Regimental Combat Team took part in operation
"Gyroscope", which at that time was the largest peace time troop
movement air exercise in history.
The Red Devil and the 187th ARCT would exchange stations with
the use of C-124 Globemasters. The 187th would return to the states
to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Support Company would move
to Camp Wood, located near Kumamoto, Japan. The trip would
take 50 hours, 43 hours flying time,with stops in Travis AFB, CA,
Hawaii, Wake island and finally in Ashia AFB, Japan. The unit
would continue its trip by train to Kumamoto.
The dependants of Support Company officers and NCOs made their
trip to Japan by Sea transport. Two Ships carried the Red Devil
dependants to Japan. The USS General J.C. Breckinridge and the
USS Gen. A.E. Anderson carried the dependants across the Pacific to
Moji, Japan in ten days.
The Support Company troopers unpacked their gear and settled in
to a rigid training program. They jumped, went on training exercises
and participated in all types of training, regardless of the weather.
The most significant field exercise was operation firm link. The
second Mortar platoon and selected other personnel made the long
trip to Thailand via Okinawa and Clark AFB in the Philippines. The
highlight of the trip was the show stealing jump made at Don Mung
Airport in Bangkok.
Many tall tales have been told and many short stories have been
written about the shenanigans and adventures of the Support
Company troopers. Many happy hours were experienced and shared
, but a grave disappointment came after the Company had finished
its seventh Month. Operation Gyroscope was suppose to have been a
three year tour of duty in Japan as part of the mission. It was not to
be. The men were told that they would be going home after one year.
In July 1956 the unit returned to Fort Campbell using the USS
Anderson for the sea voyage and a troop train to take them from
San Francisco to Fort Campbell.
A small group of the 508 troopers remained in the 508 as cadre for
the schools that supported the 101st Airborne. In early 1957 they
were once again deactivated. All other 508 personnel had became
part of the newly reactivated 101st Airborne Division.
Support Company was no more.

Vernon Rentfro spearheaded the effort to establish a Support Company
Association in early 2003 and by the time the 508 Chapter met in September,
enough interest had been generated to cause a meeting to be held on September
21, 2003. On that day the Association was founded and officers elected. Col. Jim
Heyward was elected as the first president. Jim Lutes was elected Secretary and
Treasurer. 17 members were designated charter members.
The Association held its 2nd Reunion in San Antonio, Texas in October of 2004.
11 members attended.
In December 2004, Col. Darrel Gooler, former Commanding Officer of Support
Company was appointed Commander of the Association.
In September 2005, the Association had its 3rd Reunion in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Al Vaitkus was elected president and Jim Lutes was re-elected Secretary.
In August 2006, The Support 508 lapel pen was re-tooled and made available.
In September 2006 the Association held its 4th reunion in Huntsville, AL. with
19 members attending.
In November 2006, Jim Lutes designed a Commemorative Coin for the
Association and they were minted and distributed in early December 2006.
In September 2007, the association held its 5th reunion in Clarksville, TN with 22
members attending. Speedy Gonzales was elected President for the 2007 to 2009
term.