A consequence of the 508th PIR teat program was that the recruits con-currently received basic training and participated in an arduous parachute school physical training program.
The latter program was designed to ensure that all parachute school candidates attained the physical capabilities and mental attitudes expected of parachutists. It also served to eliminate unfit candidates.
The parachute school physical training program consisted of running countless miles, doing hundred of pushups, hand-to-hand combat, and additional related activities developed by the cadre to challenge the stamina and fortitude of the recruits.
On February 3, 1943, Hq1 moved to Fort Benning, GA, and twenty days later Larry Fitzpatrick and the Hq1 men made their first parachute jump.
A few days later, they pinned on the prized parachute wings and went off on furloughs - the first free days they had had since October 1942.
By March 12, all the men of the 508th PIR had completed the parachute school qualification program, and by April, the regiment was assembled at Camp Mackall, NC.
Almost immediately, the regiment started an advanced infantry and air-borne operations training program. After many field exercises and parachute jumps, the regiment advanced to major field maneuvers.
In May 1943, the 508th PIR maneuvered in South Carolina against the 101st Airborne Division. It now needed only one large maneuver to qualify for overseas shipment.
The opportunity to demonstrate its effectiveness arose in September 1943 when the regiment moved to Tennessee to participate in the large- scale Second Army maneuvers. After several weeks of maneuvering, as ground forces the regiment executed a successful night jump and return-ed to Camp Mackall. .
In December, the regiment sailed from the New York to Belfast, Ireland. After orientations, some field training and weapons firing the 508th PIR moved to Nottingham, England and prepared for combat.
Larry Fitzpatrick parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. A few months later on September 17, 1944, he parachuted into Holland in the vanguard of the forces determined to liberate the Netherlands.
In November 1944, the 508th PIR was relieved from combat in Holland and moved to France for reconstitution and rest. However, the Germans | 
