With Mount Currahee and the pains of Toccoa behind them, Easy Company moved on to four weeks of intensive jump training to earn their jump wings in the Frying Pan area at Fort Benning, Georgia. The training was set up in stages: jumping while attached to harnesses, jumping with parachutes from 30ft, 45ft and 250ft towers before each man was required to make five jumps from a C-47 aircraft to a specified drop zone.

After completing the five jumps, men in Easy were awarded their jump wings and given the right to 'blouse' their jump boots by tucking the ends of their trousers into their boots. The silver wings became a highly coveted symbol in the army as well as proof of the transformation from civilian volunteer into elite soldier.

My first parachute jump was an experience I'll never forget. I was awfully scared, but so was everybody else so I didn't feel so bad. The sensation of falling through space is indescribable. Just like a dream. The opening shock was slight, but I hit the ground like a ton of bricks!
Robert 'Burr' Smith

Top: Lt Richard Winters shows the proper exit position.

Right: Lt Winters' certificate for passing the parachutist course.