11th Airborne Division Salutes
The Iron Men of the Test Platoon


Members of the Parachute Test Platoon at Fort Benning, GA. 1940.


Dedication to the Men of the Test Platoon of the United States Airborne Divisions

We the Paratroopers that followed them, learned from them, salute them for without their courage and fortitude there would have been no Airborne Divisions, no Paratroopers, no Elite Troops and no proof that we were the Best Fighting Force in the World.

In the year of 1940, General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff of the US Army, directed the formation of airborne forces be investigated. Major William C. Lee was assigned to implement the possible development of a parachute group. Major Bill Lee was about to become known as the "Father of the U.S. Airborne", he would also command the "Screaming Eagles" of the 101st Airborne Division. First Lieutenant William T. Ryder was the first commander of the Parachute Test Platoon. Second Lieutenant James A. Basset was selected as the assistant platoon leader of the Test Platoon. Warrant Officer Harry Wilson was assigned from Kelly Field, Texas to assist in the development and training of parachute troops. Lieutenant Ryder assumed all responsibilities for the basic research, development and testing of parachute equipment, techniques and doctrine. The T-4 parachute was developed at the Air Corps Test Center.

The 29th Infantry Regiment, at Fort Benning, Georgia, provided more than 200 volunteers for assignment to the newly activated Parachute Test Platoon. Only 48 volunteers were selected to the formation of the Parachute Test Platoon. Here was the designate organization, one first lieutenant, one second lieutenant, six sergeants, and 42 privates first class or privates. These men were of a quality far from the norm, here are some of the qualifications: At least one year's service (preferably one enlistment), not over 30 years of age (preferably under 25), good physical condition (athletically inclined), desire to be transferred to a parachute organizations, willing to ride in and jump from airplanes after instructions, unmarried desirable and be recommended by commanding officers.

The Test Platoon, Parachute Troops and Air Infantry, consisted of the following assigned personnel:

First Lieutenant William T. Ryder
Second Lieutenant James A. Bassett
Warrant Officer C.W. (Tug) Wilson
Sergeants John M. Haly
Benedict F. Jacquary
Lloyd (Mac) McCullough
Lemuel T. Pitts
Grady A. Roberts
Hobart B. Wade
Privates First Class Tyerus Floyd Adams
Willie F. Brown
Floyd Burkhalter
Donald L. Colee
Louie D. Davis
Edgar R. Dodd
Johnnie A. Ellis
Mitchel Guilbeau
J. Hardin
George W. Ivy
John M. Kitchens
Lester C. McLaney
Joseph L. Peters
John F. Pursley Jr
Benjamin C. Reese
Alsie L. Rutland
Louie D. Skipper
Raymond G. Smith
Harris J. Wallace
John A. Ward
Thurman L. Week
Carles M. (Swifty) Wilson
Obie B. Wilson
Privates John E. Borom
Leo C. Brown
Jules Corbin
Ernest L. Dilburn
Joseph E. Doucet
Aubrey Eberhardt
Frank Kassell Jr
Richard J. Kelly
Sidney C. Kerksis
William N. King
John 0. Modisett
Robert H. Poudert
Albert P. Robinson
Thad P. Selman
Robert E. Shepperd
Arthur W. Swilley
Hugh A. Tracey
Steve Voils Jr.

On July 11, 1940, the platoon was settled in Lawson Field ready to start their training which consisted of the following, special physical exercises, jumps from six and ten foot platforms, forced runs and marches to strengthen legs and ankles, lots of push ups to build up the arms and shoulder strength. They learned to pack their own chutes, jumping techniques and lots of physical exercises. Late July the platoon went to Hightstown, N.J. for a week's training on two parachute towers. One was a controlled tower similar to the Coney Island tower or the one at the World's Fair in 1939. It had cables to control the opened descending canopy. The other was a free tower, this one was pulled up with an open canopy secured to a wooden ring, at the top it released from the ring and the jumper made a free descent and landing. At Hightstown the men made 15 tower jumps each, continued tumbling, landing drills and exercises to ready themselves for live jumps.

Beginning history of the U. S. Airborne recorded on August 13, 1940, when the Test Platoon made their first jump out of a C-33 aircraft at 1500 feet. Lt. Ryder was the number one man in the stick, but the first enlisted man set to make the jump froze in the door. This allowed the credited number two man to become the first enlisted parachutist in U. S. Army, that distinction belongs to Private William N. (RED) King. Who was one of six men to give up their corporal stripes to become a part of the Test Platoon. A couple of other firsts that came to be known is that, Private Aubrey Eberhardt was the one that started the yell of "Geronimo" due to the fact that he went to a western movie the night before and someone told him to yell something. Privates First Class Tyerus F. Adams is a accredited with teaching the men to keep their heads tuck down in the chest, Tyerus darn near got his ears ripped off by the risers, from then on they decided "Chin to the Chest was Best". An added item to this is that to this day nobody knows who that man was that froze in the door, they took an oath never to reveal his name. True to the airborne code, they never did break that vow, Iron men with understanding hearts.

Quoting from a part of the citation awarded to the Test Platoon from Secretary of the Army, John Marsh.

"The Test Platoon, Parachute Troops and Air Infantry, United States Army, is commended for meritorious conduct in the performance of hazardous service from July to September 1940…It pioneered experimentation to determine the feasibility of employing paratroopers in modern warfare…

Acknowledgements: Without their help this project would never come to be.

Tyerus F.(Big Daddy)Adams, who we owe our two ears too.
Betty Adams, Wife of Tyerus F. Adams
Danelle Adams Skala, Granddaughter of Big Daddy
Photos: Courtesy of the 101st Airborne Division Association

© Copyright C. J. Johnson & Associates 1997
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, adaptation,
or translation without prior written permission
is prohibited, except as allowed under the
copyright laws. 07/98


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