August: The first official jump of US paratroopers takes place at Lawson Field, Fort Benning,  GA and also the first mass jump by US paratroopers​

1940  AIRBORNE HISTORY

January: The War Department has the Chief of Infantry conduct a feasibility study into paratroopers and the air transport of infantry and their materials

April: The plan to form a paratrooper test platoon received approval

June: The Commandant of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA is ordered to organize the parachute test platoon

July : The first test platoon is established​

​​​October: The 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion is formed from the cadre of the test platoon​