Word of the Day
May 25, 2020
Paratrooper
A member of a military unit trained to be dropped by parachute into combat or behind enemy lines.
From 'parachute' combined with 'trooper,' first used in the 1940s during World War II to describe soldiers trained in airborne assault tactics.
Usage Examples
- The paratrooper jumped from the aircraft into the darkness over Normandy on D-Day.
- Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division were among the first Allied soldiers to land in France during the invasion.
- The young paratrooper earned his wings after completing five training jumps in five days.
From the Show
The term paratrooper took center stage as WWII veteran Jody Lander recounted his experiences jumping into Normandy on D-Day and participating in Operation Market Garden. Lander’s vivid firsthand accounts brought to life the courage and sacrifice of the 82nd Airborne Division. His stories are featured on the Memorial Day 2020 broadcast.