The 101st Airborne Division, nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles,” played a pivotal role in World War II, becoming synonymous with courage and determination. Activated in August 1942, they distinguished themselves through daring airborne operations. Their first combat jump was during Operation Overlord on D-Day, landing behind enemy lines in Normandy to secure vital causeways and disrupt German defenses. The division endured heavy fighting, including the grueling Battle of Bloody Gulch. Later, they participated in Operation Market Garden, a bold but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to seize bridges deep in the Netherlands. Perhaps their most famous stand came during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, when the 101st was encircled in Bastogne, Belgium. Despite being heavily outnumbered and lacking supplies, they famously refused to surrender, holding the line until reinforcements arrived. The 101st’s resilience and fighting spirit in Bastogne cemented their reputation as one of the most elite and respected divisions in the U.S. Army during the war, going on to liberate areas and capture Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.