11th Airborne
Division Association
Dick Hoyt, Webmaster (deceased)
Hosted by John M. Hoyt
Last update - 10 Oct 2019
IMPORTANT NOTICE!!
I regret to inform you that my father, Dick Hoyt passed away on September 5, 2005 at the age of 94. He was a proud member of the 11th Airborne Association and enjoyed working on this website. Since that time the website has not been updated but I will try to update some parts of it as I get time and receive information updates. I took over dad's phone number which is listed above because it had been in the family almost 50 years. I receive calls from time to time from 11th Airborne members and other troopers needing information. I usually refer them to this website.
Rick Hoyt
Fayetteville, AR
NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER
To apply for a copy of your military service record you may write to them at: 9700 Page Blvd, St. Louis MO 63132. Replies may take several months and further delay caused by not including enough vital information.
To insure that you are sending all information necessary, you may down-load an application form from their website: http://vetrecs.archives.gov.
OTHER AIRBORNE WEBSITES
511th PIR website - Leo Kocher, Sec/Treas of the 511th PIR Association has set up an exciting new Airborne website - it includes
http://groups.msn.com/G511thairborne
National WW II Glider Pilot's Assn - www.ww2gp.org
Parachute Riggers - www.redhatchapter.com
555 Pcht Regt - www.triplenickler.com
501st PIR - http://www.angelfire.com/realm/b2501airborne/reunion.htm
LOCATER INQUIRY
We do not have any records of member's service history. One possible source is to place an inquiry in our quarterly newspaper "Voice of The Angels". Perhaps someone will see it and contact you. To place such an inquiry, send an e-mail to the Editor of the "Wanted Man Page - parapete11@earthlink.com - we have made many successful connections.
HISTORY
11th Airborne Division
The 11th Airborne Division was activated at Camp Mackall NC on 25 Feb 1943 under the command of MG Joseph Swing. In January 1944 the division moved to Camp Polk LA for maneuvers.
Departing the US on 8 May 1944 from Camp Stoneman CA the division landed at Dobadura, New Guinea and trained for the invasion of the Philippine Islands. Further jump training was held.
On 18 November the division landed near Tacloban, Leyte, and relieved the 7th Infantry Division in the mountains NW of Tacloban. They heavy resistance by the Japanese 26th Division. Mountainous terrain and rainy weather were among the difficulties encountered. Forward elements of the 11th Airborne suffered many hungry days because of lack of aerial re-supply which couldn't find the troops to deliver food drops to them
At the end of January 1945 the 187th and 188th Para/Glider Regiments landed at Nasugbu, Southern Luzon, about 60 miles South of Manila. As they fought their way to Tagaytay Ridge, they were re-inforced by a parachute drop of the 511th PIR. Then began the "March To Manila". Manila was under attack by the 1st Cavalry Division and the 37th Infantry Division from the north, having landed earlier at Lingayen Gulf.
By using the few trucks available, rapid movement north was made by a combination of marching and shuttleing rear elements forward. Heavy resistance was provided by the Japanese troops using heavy guns salvaged from sunken Japanese warships in Manila Harbor and emplaced on land.
After the liberation of Manila, clean up operations were conducted in Southern Luzon. On 23 February 1945 the division rescued 2,147 civilian Allied Internees who had been imprisoned for over three years. This action is covered in the "Los Baños Rescue" story.
On 25 June 1945 a combat team made an aerial assault at Aparri, Northern Luzon. It was a battalion of the 511th Pcht Inf augmented by Engineer and Signal units. It was the only operation in which gliders were utilized. Very little resistance was offered. This task force meet up with elements of the 37th Infantry division near Balete Pass.
After the atomic bombs were dropped the 11th Airborne Division was hurriedly flown to Okinawa, then on 28 August 1945 they were landed at Atsugi Airfield, Contrary to claims by the 1st Cavalry Division, the 11th Airborne Division was the FIRST military force to land in Japan, when the 1st Cavalry Division landed from transports at Yokahama, the 11th Airborne Division Band met them on the docks and played "The Old Gray Mare Ain't What She Used To Be" !!
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