As a young man, U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Connor Cozad grew up watching Band of Brothers, a 2001 HBO miniseries depicting the history of "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II.
While he and his father enjoyed watching the show together, neither foresaw the influence it would have on the younger Cozad’s future. After joining the Corps, and later learning reconnaissance Marines conduct frequent parachute jumps, he pounced on the opportunity to become an airborne paratrooper just like the Soldiers of Easy Company, he said.
On Aug. 16, 2024 — National Airborne Day — Cozad and 373 of his brothers and sisters in arms became the newest masters of the sky as they graduated from the Army’s Basic Airborne Course at Fort Moore, Georgia.
“The legacy of past paratroopers is kept alive by the paratroopers standing before you,” said graduation guest speaker Rob Choppa, National Infantry Association president and retired Army colonel. “They’re physically tough, smart, optimistic, and eager. They’ve overcome their personal fear.”
Choppa ascribed these attributes to all the graduates of Airborne Class 29-24. Throughout his speech, he alluded to the proud legacy of the U.S. paratrooper, and the Airborne’s contributions to American military victories in Europe, Asia, and South America.
“Some people say the toughest part of jumping is the landing,” added Choppa. “But the toughest part of the entire parachute endeavor was finding the right Soldiers and leaders that comprised the heart of an Airborne unit.”
President George W. Bush declared Aug. 16 as National Airborne Day in 2002, 62 years after the Army conducted its first official parachute jump here.
Today “Airborne combat continues to be driven by the bravery and daring spirit of sky Soldiers,” Bush stated. “Often called into action with little notice, these forces have earned an enduring reputation for dedication, excellence, and honor.”
Since the presidential proclamation, Soldiers and patriots across the U.S. celebrate and commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of these daring few in a multitude of ways. This year, the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, celebrated National Airborne Day with a graduation ceremony and displays from the National Infantry Museum.
“I think it’s important to recognize and remember the service and sacrifice of the American paratrooper,” said Chris Lewis, the National Infantry Museum’s vice president of operations and a retired command sergeant major who spent a large portion of his military career with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
“(Paratroopers) always will continue to be on the front line and … the first into battle by parachute,” Lewis said referring to the intent of airborne forces, a rapid response to get troops on the ground anywhere in the world quickly. And though the method hasn’t been deployed in combat for over 20 years, airborne insertion capability is maintained and the ‘band of brothers’ continues to grow.
Or as Sgt. Gordon Carson, as portrayed in Band of Brothers, put it: “You had to be a little bit awed that you were part of a thing that was so much greater than you.”
Cozad not only earned his airborne wings on National Airborne Day, he was also recognized as the distinguished officer honor graduate from Class 29-24. He and his fellow paratroopers can attest to what it’s like to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
“It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced,” said Pvt. Miku Torres, the distinguished enlisted honor grad. “Just feeling the wind take you and throw your legs out from under you is something else.”
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