National Affairs: The Screaming Eagles

At sundown, after a daylong display of its skills, the newly formed division fell in on the Fort Campbell, Ky. parade ground. There last week it watched its commander, Bastogne Veteran Major General Thomas L. Sherburne Jr., receive from Army Secretary Wilber M. Brucker and Army Chief of Staff Maxwell D. Taylor the blue-and-red standards of the famous "Screaming Eagles"—the 101st Airborne Division of World War II. In front of the reviewing stand perched a bald eagle, hastily acquired from a South Carolina zoo. Unused to the rocket blast and the plane roar, it had battered itself against its cage all...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!