Original U.S. WWII 509th Parachute Infantry Regt. “Geronimo” Grouping from T/5 F.H. Mulholland; Includes Rare Italian-Made 509th Jacket & Beret Patches, Free French Jump Wings, 3rd Rgt Zouave Badge, Archive of Orders & More

Original Items: Only One Available. One of the units with an absolutely profound combat record during WWII was that of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The 509th is famous for engaging in five combat jumps during WWII; Two during Operation Torch (The Invasion of North Africa, 1942), Tunisia (El Djem Bridge, 1942, Operation Avalanche (Invasion of Italy, 1943) and finally the Invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon, 1944). In addition, the Regiment was engaged in two amphibious assaults; Ventotene Island,and Operation Shingle (The Allied Invasion of Anzio). Overall, the Regiment was credited for six campaigns during WWII: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Ardennes-Alsace, and the Rhineland.

The 509th spent 2 years, 8 months and 19 days (994 days) overseas. Of this time, 2 years, 3 months and 21 days (825 days) would be in a combat zone! 

Technician 5th (T/5) Francis H. Mulholland of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a paratrooper assigned to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, enlisting in 1941. The 504th was redesignated the 503rd, then finally redesignated the 509th before Operation Torch in 1942. Mulholland was active with the division, serving in the Headquarters Company (HHC) for the duration of the war, participating in two combat jumps and seven of the eight campaigns the Regiment was credited for.

This is a significant grouping in that Mulholland kept and maintained a number of original copies of orders and citations issued to the Regiment, many of which are often missing from collections and archives relating to the Regiment. In addition, Mulholland’s grouping consists of both versions of the rare Italian-Made 509th Geronimo Patch (Coat and Beret size), a Bullion Free French Parachutist’s Wing, the 3rd Zouave Regiment Insignia (awarded to members of the unit, which also includes two copies of order authorizing its wear), a set of French 1st Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes Unit Badge, and so on.

This grouping was obtained directly from the family of Mulholland roughly a quarter of a century ago. It is a fantastic opportunity for the US Airborne collector who “has it all” to obtain items which are rarely, if ever, encountered.

The following link shows Mulholland’s listing on the 509th Association Website:
Francis H. Mulholland.

The grouping consists of the following:

- 509th Geronimo Patch, Coat Size, Italian-Made. Also referred to as the “Gingerbread Man”, or “Litttle Man in the Door”. In October 1943 the 509th PIB was detached from the 82nd Airborne Division and was attached to the U.S. 5th Army. To distinguish and instill pride in the unit, Lt Col. Yarborough directed Henry "Bud" Pardieck to design a patch. The stick figure was reminiscent of the Native American paintings. The design became an instant hit with the troops. The patch was made in Piscinola, Italy, by local seamstresses that were paid in bartered goods. The patch was never officially recognized by the Department of the Army, however, it was locally authorized for wear by General Mark Clark while the unit was guarding 5th Army Headquarters in Italy, and subsequently worn by members of the 509th for the remainder of World War II. Renowned for their tongue-in-cheek humor, the Paratroopers of World War II began referring to the Geronimo Patch as the “Gingerbread Man” due to the appearance of the Little Man in the Door, a term that has remained associated with the patch to this day. The gold arch represents the jump door of the C-47 Skytrain twin-engine aircraft predominantly used by Paratroopers for their Airborne invasion. The gold Little Man in the Door represents the Jumpmaster prepared to exit the aircraft. The name GERONIMO appearing at the base of the patch was a popular epithet adopted by Paratroopers to express or bolster their feelings of courage upon exiting the aircraft while in flight.

- 509th Geromino Patch, Beret Sized, Italian-Made: Same as above, just a smaller version intended to be worn on the maroon Beret, or often worn on the right cuff of their uniforms. The 509th was awarded the privilege of wearing the British Maroon Airborne Beret while training in England with the British Paras. This is where the tradition of American Paratroopers wearing a Maroon Beret comes from.

- Free French Parachutist Wings, Bullion Awarded by the French to members of the 509th, and often observed being worn on their dress uniforms (either on the cuff or right pocket).

- 3rd Zouave Regiment Badge, with two copies of the Citation authorizing its wear. These were awarded to the 503rd by the French 3rd Regiment of Zouaves for their participation in the Defense of Youks les Bains. The Badge is of the usual French-Mae variety worn by Enlisted Men. 

- 1st Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutiste Badge As seen worn by members of the 509th dor their involvement with the regiment. It is a French Made version, enemeled, and nicely marked.

- Citation Awarding the Distinguished Unit Citation to members of the 509th, Presentation Version, Published in Italy. This is an exceedingly rare document which was presented to members of the Regiment in the summer of 1944 in Italy. They were locally printed. To our knowledge, there are only a few known examples of this document that exist today - here is one of them!

- Scrapbook Containing an Archive of Official Unit Citations and Communiques:
This is a unique piece containing 15 separate documents. Highlights include a 1944 unit history printed after Anzio, The Commendation Letter dated November 18, 1942 congratulating the regiment on their successful jump during Operation Torch at the Youk les Baines Aerodrome (marked “confidential”), a June, 1943 “confidential” marked letter from British Major General Browning announcing he is making the members of the 509th honorary members of the British Airborne Forces (he also mentions issuing Maroon Berets in this letter), a copy of the 12 October, 1943 Letter congratulating the 509th on their participation during Operation Avalanche (Italy), Two copies of the Order authorizing members of the unit to wear the 3rd Regiment of Zouaves Unit Insignia, an April 1st 1944 Letter from Major General Truscott, expressing regret of releasing the 509th from the Command of the VI Corps during the Anzio Beachhead, and thanking them for their gallantry during the seventy days engaged in the Campaign, A Letter of farewell from Major General Robert Frederick where he outlines the Regiments involvement as members of the First Airborne Task Force during the Invasion of Southern France, The Unit Citation for the Bronze Star Medal, awarded for the unit’s participation during the Battle of the Bulge, and so on. It should be noted that nearly all the documents are marked in ink “Mulholland”.

- Mulholland’s New Testament. 1942 Government printed version. The inside features the following inscription: “F.H. Mulholland 7-8-43/ 2nd BN 509th Prcht INF/Sousse North Africa” his home address: ”2921 “D” SREET/Philadelphia, Penna”, and his next of kin: “Mrs. F.H. Mulholland/2921 “D” STREET”

- Heart Shield Bible “The Vest Pocket Manual Approved Prayers For Catholics”

- Diary of a British Prisoner of War, Held in Italian Captivity as a Prisoner of War:. This is an interesting piece, which we were told Mulholland had found and kept as a souvenir while in Italy. It is an Italian Notebook which was written in by a British Soldier “Pte J.C. Elphinstone”, in which he states being a prisoner of the Italians for “seven months and thirteen days”. His writings consist of poetry.. This is certainly an interesting research project on its own!

- Souvenir Book of Stamps: This appears to be a souvenir likely taken in North Africa or Southern France, as the inscriptions are in French. This appears to have been a collection of Stamps collected by a Frenchman.

- “Souvenir du 2e Zouaves” A hand embroidered Souvenir Pièce which was taken as a Souvenir from the Invasion of Southern France, as the 2nd Regiment of Zouaves also was engaged in that campaign.

- European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (EAME, or aka “ETO Medal), with Mulholland’s authorized Five Campaign Stars, and one Invasion Arrowhead.

- Presidential Unit Citation with Two Oakleaf Clusters

- Purple Heart Serial #309783

- Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Sterling. Pins are missing. Mulholland was awarded the CIB on April 10th, 1944.

- Purple Heart Ribbon w/ Oakleaf Cluster, pinback

- Two Luftwaffe Breast Eagles

- NSDAP Party Membership Pin, Lapel Pin Style. Enameled.

- Various Ribbons and Lapel Pins

The History of the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment during WWII:

Since they were first used in World War II, paratroopers have earned a reputation for their audacity, resourcefulness, cunning and lethality. Airborne units have been called upon to execute rapid strikes, often far behind enemy lines. Their training and missions are some of the most arduous in the military. In the United States Army, renowned units like the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions have guarded and reinforced this tradition. Largely overlooked in the pantheon of these divisions is the 509th Infantry. This independent airborne infantry unit endured some of the most brutal engagements in the North African and European theaters during World War II. The “Geronimos” initiative and tenacity made them important contributors in ultimately defeating the NSDAP war machine.

The precursor unit to the 509th, the 504th Parachute Infantry Battalion, was activated at Fort Benning, Georgia, in October 1941, culling the recently qualified graduates of jump school. In February 1942, the 504th was redesignated as the 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry. The newly minted paratroopers deployed to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for additional training. From there, they shipped out to England in June 1942.

In England, the unit fell under the command of the British 1st Parachute Brigade. During combat training, the Geronimos British brethren named them honorary “Red Devils” and granted them the right to don the red beret, which is still worn today.

While staging for Operation Torch on 2 November 1942, the unit was redesignated the 2d Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry. On 8 November, the 2/509th executed the first American combat airborne operation, and the longest in Army history, by seizing Tafarquay Airport in Oran, Algeria, after a tumultuous 1600-mile flight.

One week later, the 509ers ramped up for its second combat jump into Youks les Bains, near the Tunisian border. Linking up with Free French forces, the Geronimos set out after the German Afrika Korps. The French 3d Zouave Regiment honored the 509th with its regimental crest, a silver badge with a snarling hyena and the motto, “J’y suis – J’y reste” (“Here I Am – Here I Remain”). The badge continues as part of the 509ths uniform today. The 509ers continued operations against the Afrika Korps while also training MG Matthew Ridgway’s untested 82d Airborne Division.

The 509ths push for Europe’s “soft underbelly” began on 14 September 1943. With Allied forces struggling at Salerno, Italy, the 2/509th, under LTC Doyle Yardley, was ordered to make its third combat jump at Avellino, forty miles behind the beachhead, to cut German supply routes. The mission was disastrous for the 509ers, as the 6th Panzer Division tore into the descending paratroopers. For the next two weeks, small groups of men inflicted what damage they could to the Germans. Total casualties for the 509th numbered 123 killed or captured, including Yardley and his entire staff.

With future Special Forces innovator LTC William Yarborough now in command, the 2/509th fought with the 1st Ranger Battalion between October and December 1943 in the mountains near Venafro, Italy. On 10 December, the 509th was reorganized and redesignated the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.

The next trial by fire for the 509th was an amphibious assault with the Rangers at Anzio, Italy, on 21 January 1944. Though initially caught off-guard, the Germans reacted to the Allied landings with brutal counterattacks. At Carano, the outnumbered and overwhelmed Geronimos staved off a German advance with continuous fire and, eventually, hand-to-hand combat. Despite being overrun and incurring heavy casualties, the 509th helped to prevent the enemy from overwhelming the Allied beachhead. For its actions at Carano, the 509th earned a Presidential Unit Citation, the first awarded to an airborne unit. CPL Paul B. Huff also became the first paratrooper to earn the Medal of Honor.

Making its fifth combat assault (and fourth combat parachute drop) into Southern France, the 509th pushed north with the Seventh Army from August and November 1944. In December, the Geronimos were dispatched to Belgium and assigned to the 3d Armored Division to stave off the German offensive during the Battle of the Bulge. Between 22 and 30 December 1944, the 509th held its position against powerful German assaults, incurring heavy casualties while inhibiting the enemy’s operational progress. For gallantry at Liege, Belgium, the 509th earned its second Presidential Unit Citation. After the Bulge, only seven officers and 48 enlisted men remained in the battalion. The unit was officially disbanded on 1 March 1945. Many of its survivors were dispatched to the 82d Airborne as replacements. All told, the Geronimos earned two Presidential Unit Citations, several foreign decorations, and eight campaign streamers (with five campaign arrowheads) for their service in World War II.