The 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team (PRCT), one of the U.S. Army's first elite combat units, began its existence in March of 1943, training in the backwoods of Georgia. Although it began as an element of the 17th Airborne Division and was eventually incorporated into the 13th Airborne Division, the 517th saw most of its combat (in Italy, southern France, and the Battle of the Bulge) as an independent unit.

Before its dissolution after only thirty-three months, the outfit of 2,500 paratroopers endured some of the heaviest fighting of the European campaigns - from Italy through the invasion of Southern France, then the bitter winter in the Ardennes (in the Battle of the Bulge) and the final thrust into Germany.

During its relatively brief lifetime, the 517th Regimental Parachute Combat Team collected one Medal of Honor, six Distinguished Service Crosses, five Legion of Merits, 131 Silver Stars, 631 Bronze Stars, 2 Air Medals, 4 Soldiers Medals, 17 French Croix De Guerre, and 1,576 Purple Hearts -- at the cost of 252 killed.

The 517th was formally deactivated in 1946.