US army parachute team leather jacket and other STRAC photos

[dinomartino1]

IThe Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team (STRAC) was originally conceived by Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell. The first STRAC team consisted of 19 military parachutists. This unofficial unit competed successfully in parachute competitions, provided assistance to the military in the development of modern parachuting techniques and equipment, and provided support for U.S. Army public relations and recruiting. In 1959, the team was formally organized and later redesignated as the U.S. Army's official aerial demonstration unit on June 1, 1961.
By 1962, the team earned the nickname the "Golden Knights". "Golden" signified the gold medals the team had won while "Knights" alluded to the team’s ambition to conquer the skies.


Sergeant Robert Turner the teams photographer was a Korean war veteran and was killed in a plane crash in 1961 so this photo dates from 1959-61.

Robert Turner

Robert Turner

Thunderbirds & Golden Knights

1960s

1960s

1960s

STRAC Parachute Team

Gene Paul Thacker and "Iron Mike"

1961 - Sicily Drop Zone (DZ) - A demonstration for a visiting French officer

 

[dinomartino1]

Vince was born on March 23, 1925 to Frank and Frances Speranza in the Hells Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. He grew up on Staten Island in a large and extended Italian family during the depression.and Rosemarie). He graduated from high school in
Vince went to the draft board after he had turned eighteen. He was drafted into the United States Army on October 25, 1943 and officially entered the service on November 15, 1943. He was sent to Camp Upton in New York where he stayed until he was sent to Fort Benning in Georgia where he trained for the Infantry with the 87th Infantry Division. He volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and was sent back to Fort Benning for training. He was sent overseas with Company H, 3rd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division from Camp Shanks on board the Queen Mary. His unit arrived in France and would later fight in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne.


OCT 2020
The Golden Knights made a tandem skydive with Vincent Speranza, 95-year-old WW II veteran and paratrooper, this week in sunny Perris, California. Sgt. 1st Class Rich Sloan, tandem instructor for the jump, said it best:
"Words can never describe my gratitude for soldiers and the sacrifices that they and their families endure. Today, we had the honor to share the skies with WW2 Paratrooper Vincent J. Speranza. He is an amazing man with an amazing life. To Vincent: thank you, sir, for the jump of a lifetime!"

Battle of the Bulge Veteran Vince Speranza and the 101st Airborne Division