504th PIR 82nd Airborne, World War II Historical Reenactment Society, Chicago, IL

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Unit History

The unit formed in 1976, when the World War II Historical Reenactment Society was founded.

Unit command went from Keith Rose, founder, to Dave Berry in Dayton Ohio.

Unit Command then passed to Ken Thompson in 1985. With Ken as the Commander the geographic center of the unit moved to the Chicagoland area. The core of the unit was Ken Thompson, Jim Soukup, Ray Goluzka, Wayne Schemmer, and Tim Coppe.

In 1989 Jim Soukup became the Unit Commander. During his tenure the unit collection and display was developed and finalized.

In 1993 Wayne Schemmer took over command and a recruiting campaign that brought the unit to a new high in membership.

Traditions

Mess Spoons
In 1996 the unit attended an event. Ther event organizers promised to feed us at the end of Saturdays performance. After the show closed they locked the reenactors in the airfield and then announced that we would not be fed. With no other option for food, we packed up our display and left the event for the weekend. From that point, event coordinators made it a habit to call our unit specifically to inform us that they would provide a meal. In keeping with our new found reputation, we always travel with a spoon at the ready in the top-right blouse pocket.
Physical Training
The unit has a tradition of the highest esprit-de-corp. When staying in barracks primarily, we get up ahead of most units and fall-in in front of the barracks for PT. This is typically done in combat uniforms or jump pants and white t-shirts. The sound of highly motivated paratroopers in the early morning cadence has been known to strike fear in Germans and leg infantry troops alike.
Authenticity
This unit prides itself on the highest levels of authenticity in and out of the field. We believe it is the key to the longevity of the unit, and the foundation from which it has been built. We have been given many opportunities to do and participate in events that many other units and groups have been banned from. We have displayed our collection and members at Ft. Bragg, NC the home of the Airborne.
Spirit
When in the field, we strive to complete all objectives regardless of the situation. At one event, the platoon was split into two groups during deployment, rather than trying to hook up, both groups headed for the ovjective. Despite being lost, one of the groups reached the objective in time to surprise the enemy, equipped with two armored cars and a squad of infantry. The unit destroyed the enemy without loss. After the action subsided and the are was secure, a German Officer remaked "We were told we would not likely see action here but if we did it would be the 82nd Airborne". Shortly thereafter the other half of the platoon reached the objective too.
History Preservation
We strive to recreate the esprit-de-corp of the paratrooper with polished boots, tenacity of actions in the field, and when we are given and objective we work together as a unit, and can truly be called "a band of brothers".