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"“Geronimo!” — Why American Paratroopers Shout an" Topic


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Tango0106 Feb 2018 3:17 p.m. PST

…Apache Chief's Name When Jumping.

"EARLY IN THE development of American airborne forces, the cry of "Geronimo!" became familiar as paratroopers leaped from the doors of transport planes. The origin of this now famous cry remains something of a mystery.

Geronimo, a famed chief of the Native American Apache tribe, was once imprisoned at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and his grave is located nearby. One account says that the paratroopers adopted the cry after hearing that, with U.S. troops in hot pursuit, Geronimo once leaped from a steep cliff while on horseback. It was a feat the soldiers were reluctant to duplicate, and Geronimo temporarily made good his escape…"
Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

Rudysnelson06 Feb 2018 4:28 p.m. PST

I was always told when I was in the army, that the name Geronimo took the 3 to four seconds needed for the delay in jumping before pulling the rip cord.

Dave Jackson Supporting Member of TMP06 Feb 2018 4:35 p.m. PST

What kind of shirt did Custer wear at Little Big Horn?

• An Arrow shirt….

What did Geronimo say to his Chiefs before Little Big Horn?

• Gentlemen, start yur injuns….

Yea….I'll get my coat….

Personal logo Legion 4 Supporting Member of TMP In the TMP Dawghouse06 Feb 2018 4:45 p.m. PST

I've heard a couple different versions of the story. What Rudy posted was one. I do know for sure I didn't say anything when I exited an aircraft in flight. I may have grunted a bit when the chute deployed. evil grin

Rudysnelson06 Feb 2018 4:45 p.m. PST

Geronimo was not at Little Big Horn.
Lakota, Cheyenne and a few Kiowa, IIRC.
The Apache were a SW nation, not a Plains nation.
I do not view posts as jokes. Just not in my nature.

charared06 Feb 2018 6:11 p.m. PST

Perhaps keeping in the Indian/First Nation's People's "theme"… Shaved heads and warpaint/stripes?

(I never remember yelling "Geronimo"… I DO remember shouting "ODIN" ((ala Ernest Borgnine/Ragnar in "The Vikings")) while rappelling down a rather tall cliff.)

Charlie

charared06 Feb 2018 7:18 p.m. PST

Oh, and I remember being asked -why- "Odin" by a VERY few DI's that didn't know the reference.

RedLion28106 Feb 2018 10:20 p.m. PST

When I was stationed at the Benning School for Boys in the late 1970's, one of the members of the original Parachute Test Platoon was an instructor for an on-post course (as opposed to a course at the Infantry School). One of the students asked him about Geronimo during one of the breaks. His explanation was that it was part of a bet matches up pretty well with what I found here:

b-westerns.com/geronimo.htm

Personal logo ochoin Supporting Member of TMP06 Feb 2018 11:42 p.m. PST

The origins of "Say, Geronimo":

YouTube link

Worth watching just for the final battle scene.

Wolfhag07 Feb 2018 9:01 a.m. PST

I like "Currahee!"
YouTube link

Wolfhag

Tango0107 Feb 2018 10:50 a.m. PST

Interesting answers… thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

Personal logo Legion 4 Supporting Member of TMP In the TMP Dawghouse09 Feb 2018 3:57 p.m. PST


(I never remember yelling "Geronimo"… I DO remember shouting "ODIN" ((ala Ernest Borgnine/Ragnar in "The Vikings")) while rappelling down a rather tall cliff.)
I may have yelled something rappelling off a number high places like helicopters, buildings, cliffs, etc. But not ODIN … Wish I would have thought of that though ! I remember that scene well !

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