Dedication of the second 173rd Memorial Marker Operation Honor Roll

Florida Chapter of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Association was organized in 1985 with the primary mission to perform charitable acts of service in support of Sky Soldiers past and present. Also to maintain a common bond with the current generation while perpetuating the memory of those who died in service to their county. This is why we have started “Operation Honor Roll”

The Florida Chapter of 173d Airborne Brigade Association is a non-profit organization and we take our mission of service seriously.  We have over the years accomplished numerous service projects; from shipping 15,000 pounds down range to support the troops deployed, to assistance at VA clinics and other projects too numerous to list.

We plan to place 173rd memorial markers dedicated to all Sky Soldiers that served with honor in all Florida VA/National cemeteries.  Each 173rd Marker cost of $3,500. This money was raised by the veterans themselves. However, there are 9 National/VA cemeteries in Florida. We have placed only one marker so far and need your help in honoring all those Sky Soldiers.

Dedication of our second 173rd memorial marker will be on Friday 9 October 2015 at Noon at the Sarasota VA/National cemetery on the Memorial Walk area. All are invited to attend.

Donations accepted at, www.OperationHonorRoll.com or www.GoFundMe.com/FloridaSkySoldiers

or donate directly to; www.floridaskysoldiers.com/donate-memorial.htm

Brief Combat History of the 173rd Airborne Brigade

Sky Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade earned and wear their combat badges and decorations with pride. During more than six years of nearly continuous combat in Vietnam, The brigade earned four unit citations; 1772 Silver Stars, 52 distinguished service crosses, 13 Medals of Honor. The Brigade took part in 14 campaigns and conducted the only U.S. line combat parachute assault of the Vietnam War.

The following generation of Sky Soldier followed their older Brothers by continuing a valorous combat history during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Brigade earned an additional; unit citation, 4 distinguished service crosses, 32 Silver Stars and 3 more Medals of Honor. In their 5 combat campaigns/tours conducted the only U.S. line combat parachute assault on Iraq.

Sadly 1731 Sky Soldiers were killed in action and another 8,345 were wounded in action. These 10,076 casualties incurred by the Brigade were five times greater than the 187th Airborne Regiment in Korea, four times greater than those suffered by the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific in WWII, more than twice those suffered by the 101st Airborne Division in Europe in WWII, and two thirds of those suffered by the entire 82nd Airborne Division in WWII. This accounts for Vietnam alone. 33 Sky Soldiers were killed and hundreds more wounded in action in the Global War on Terror.

These awards; 1800+ silver stars, 55 distinguished service crosses and 16 Medal of Honor makes the 173rd Airborne Brigade the most decorated combat Brigade in Army History.