Post Combat Jumps

508th Paratroopers Exiting a C-82
this photo documents the use of the C-82 by the regiment in post-war Germany.  Five parachutists are in the air and a half dozen static lines from prior jumpers flutter at the tail.  Specific date and company are both unknown
(courtesy of the Rex Combs collection)

JUMPER
SGT. RALPH G KING

   Frankfurt, Germany --- S/Sgt Ralph G. King of 411 Jackson, Gary {Indiana], of the 508th parachute infantry regiment, was No. 6 man to jump from the Army's new C-82. the first time the plane was jumped in Europe.
   The jump, Sgt. King's 11th, was a routine training mission, on army air force day.
   Sgt King is the son of R. King of the Jackson street address, and is a combat veteran. King wears the purple heart medal with the oak leaf cluster, the ETO ribbon with four combat stars, and the combat infantryman badge.

 [Jumpmaster Note: A handwritten annotation of "1946" is  as the jump took place in 1945'.  Newspaper source us unknown]

IN AIR SHOW
   SSgt Walter W. Suesse of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, from R.D. 5, Troy [NY], completed his 48th parachute jump when he jumped No. 9 position from the Army's new twin-tailed cargo plane, the C-82, the first jump mission the plane completed in Europe.  The jump, a routine training jump, was made on Army Air Forces Day on one of Europe's largest air bases near Wiesbaden, Germany.  Sergeant Suesse is the son of Emma Suesse.
[The Times Record, Troy, NY, Friday, August 9, 1946, page 5]

With Our Service Men
   Pfc Clarence O. Lyall, of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, stationed at Frankfurt, Germany made his 38th jump, in number 13 position, from the Army's new twin-tailed cargo plane, C-82, the first time the plane had been jumped in Europe.  The jump was a volunteer one, made in observance of Army Air Forces Day over a large airport in Frankfurt.
   Pfc Lyall is the son of A. E. Lyall, Linwood Park, Linwood [PA] and is a combat veteran of the 508th. He entered the armed forces Nov 29, 1943 while employed at the Marcus Hook plant of the Sun Oil Company.  He is a graduate of Marcus Hook High School.
   He wears the purple Heart with an Oak Leaf cluster, and the French Croix de Guerre  Order du Regiment, for his work with the regiment in liberating the first French town in the invasion.
[Delaware County Daily Times, Chester, PA, Saturday August 10, 1945, Page 12]