Perhaps you’ve watched the incredible documentaries “The Hornet’s Nest” or “No Greater Love.”
You saw the fearless soldiers trapped in a ferocious firefight right there in the comfort of your own home.
Now you’re left asking yourself, “What is the No Slack 2/327 Battalion?”
Hopefully, this post will help answer that question and more and give you a glimpse into these heroes of the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault.
Where did the No Slack 2/327 Battalion Originate?
The No Slack 2/327 Battalion goes way back to the 164th Infantry Brigade of the 82nd Infantry Division at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
The 327th was created on 5 August 1917 in the National Army as the 327th Infantry from the 164th Infantry Brigade.
World War I
During World War I, this newly-formed regiment was thrust into combat in the St. Mihiel Offensive, defending the Lorraine Fort in France.
Later, 327th fought in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, conducting the historic flank attack on Argonne while the first American Expeditionary force dealt a massive blow to Kriemhilde Stellung.
After being briefly demobilized, the regiment was called to active duty to help defend the nation.
The 327th Glider Infantry was formed at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, on 16 August 1942 and was activated as part of the newly-formed 101st Airborne Division.
One year later, on 15 September 1942, the 327th arrived in the European Theater of Operations.
Nearly a year after that, on 6 June 1944, the regiment entered combat again during the invasion of Normandy. Dubbed Operation Overlord, this invasion was the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The 327th continued to serve the United States bravely during WWI until its end.
World War II
in September 1944, participated in the airborne invasion of Hin Operation Market-Garden.
During Operation Market-Garden, the 327th gliders, alongside Allied paratroopers, helped gain control of critical supply routes and bridges within the German-occupied Netherlands.
Although the heroic endeavors of the 327th are far too many to list, the sacrifices made by these heroes at the city of Bastogne, Belgium, between 16 December 1944 and the first part of January 1945 are most notable.
It was here that the 327th were essential to the allied victory at the Battle of the Bulge. As a result of their heroism and tenacity, the 327th earned the nickname “Bastogne Bulldogs.”
On 30 November 1945, the 327th Airborne Infantry Regiment was inactivated. Between June 1948 and July 1965, the regiment underwent various reactivations and redesignations, ultimately ending up as the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
Vietnam War
On 3 February 1964, the 1st Brigade was the first unit from the 101st Airborne Division to deploy to Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, they participated in over 40 combat operations, including:
- The Defense
- Counteroffensives I through VII
- The Tet Counteroffensive
- Consolidation I and II
- The Ceasefire
From 1965 to 1972, the 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment was earned their moniker “No Slack!” after fighting for seven consecutive years without relief in the Vietnam War Theater.
To date, no other Battalion has spent as much time deployed in theater as the “No Slack” Battalion.
On 6 April 1972, the 101st Airborne returned home to Fort Campbell, where it remains today.
If you want to learn more about the 101st Airborne, be sure to read our recent blog post, “Things You Should Know about the 101st Airborne Division.
Operation Desert Storm
On 24 February 1991, the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne was called back to war, participating in the largest helicopter air-assault mission in military history, participating in the offensive to drive Iraqi forces from Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.
Since Desert Storm, the 1st Brigade has remained actively involved in peacekeeping missions globally to include:
- Sinai
- Egypt
- Port-au-Prince Haiti
- Kosovo
Operation Iraqi Freedom
On 1 March 2003, No Slack was deployed to Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and returned home the following year.
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 1st Brigade has been credited with:
- Helping Liberating 840,000 people in the city of An Najaf
- Protecting supply lines for the 3rd Infantry Division
- Assaulting north into the Nineveh Province, just south of Mosul.
Modern Day
In September 2005, the 1st Brigade Combat Team returned to Iraq to assume duties in the city of Kirkuk in Northern Iraq.
While in Kirkuk, during OIF 05-07, the 1st BCT developed, trained, and vetted the 2nd and 3rd Brigades of the 4th Iraqi Army Division
In September 2006, the 1st BCT left Iraq, but not after giving the Iraqi government and security forces the knowledge and experience to develop systems to provide essential services and security to Iraq’s citizens.
A year later, in September 2007, they returned to Northern Iraq during OIF 07-09, this time in the Salah as Din Providence. Their mission was to assist the Iraqi government in gaining the Iraqi people’s confidence during preparations for transitioning control of Northern Iraq to Iraquis.
With the skills they learned from the “Bastogne Bulldogs,” over 20,000 Iraqi Security Forces were able to protect the Iraqi population during this time.
As a result of the 1st BCT’s tireless labor, the population of Iraq and the government were able to reconnect.
The 1st BCT then assisted local and tribal leaders in establishing the Sons of Iraq Groups.
With this, violence and attacks were reduced to record lows and allowed the Iraqi government’s return of essential services and confidence.
What units are part of the 1st BCT?
Currently, the 1st BCT is comprised of six battalions and a headquarters company including:
- 1st BN, 327th IN “Above the Rest”
- 2nd BN, 327th IN “No Slack”
- 1st SQDN, 32nd CAV “Bandits”
- 2nd BN, 320th FA “Balls of the Eagle”
- 426th BSB “Taskmasters”
- 1st BSTB “Spartans
- 506th infantry regiment was disbanded and their battalions reflagged. 1/506 Band of Brothers was sent to 1st Brigade and 2/506 to 3rd Brigade
Conclusion
Since its early days from World War I to World War II to Vietnam to the Middle East conflicts, the Bastogne Bulldogs have served fearlessly during both war and peace operations.
Their long and decorated history is a reminder of the countless number of soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice while defending democracy and freedom worldwide.
They continue to stand at the ready for deployment worldwide to defend the United States and our allies.
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Check out some No Slack Merchandise at Screaming Eagle Cigars.
Our Commitment to The No Slack 2/327 Battalion
The 327th Infantry Regiment Association exists to provide support, encouragement, and brotherhood to the Veterans, Soldiers, and Families of 2/327th. Infantry Battalion â€No Slack.”
You can help us support the 2/327th through:
- The No Slack Farm
- The No Slack Kids Scholarship Program
- Joining the Association
- Donating to the Association
If you have any questions or comments, fill out the form below and we’ll gladly answer them.
