A chronological overview of the Filthy Thirteen, from training through the 1944–45 campaigns in Europe and into postwar memory. Entries are verified or well-attested.
The 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment is raised and trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia.✓ Verified
The demolition section trains in England; the “Filthy Thirteen” nickname appears in Stars and Stripes.✓ Verified
The famous war-paint photograph is taken in England, on the eve of the invasion.✓ Verified
D-Day — the section jumps into Normandy with the mission to secure or destroy the Douve River bridges.✓ Verified
Operation Market Garden — the section is assigned to bridge defense in the Eindhoven area of the Netherlands.✓ Verified
Pathfinders led by Jake McNiece jump into encircled Bastogne and set up beacons to guide the air-resupply of the 101st Airborne.✓ Verified
McNiece makes his fourth combat jump, into Germany.◆ Well-attested
Memoirs and unit histories are published; memorials are established in Toccoa, Georgia, and in France.◆ Well-attested