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Janesville, Wisconsin, United States
On 01 July 41 the 550th Infantry Airborne Battalion was activated at Fort Kobbe, Panama. It was initially organized to be an air-landing infantry unit based on the German model that was employed during the air assault on Crete. It was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Harry M. Melasky.
But by mid-1943 the German influence had diminished and the 550th was redeployed to the United States for extensive glider training. The 550th Infantry Battalion was now redesignated the 550th Glider Infantry Battalion and was committed to Operation Dragoon as part of the First Airborne Task Force. This would be the 550th first combat mission.
D-Day for the operation would be 15 August 44. After the initial success of the operation the battalion continued fighting in the Maritime Alps as mountain troops.They continued fighting until November 44 when the the First Airborne Task force was disbanded and the battalion was moved to Aldbourne, England.
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