Help support TMP


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


12 Posts

All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.

In order to respect possible copyright issues, when quoting from a book or article, please quote no more than three paragraphs.

For more information, see the TMP FAQ.


Back to the WWII Discussion Message Board


Areas of Interest

World War Two on the Land

Featured Hobby News Article


Featured Link


Top-Rated Ruleset

FUBAR


Rating: gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star gold star 


Featured Showcase Article

Command Decision: Test of Battle

The Editor almost has a heart attack...


Featured Profile Article

Report from Spring Gathering VI

Paul Glasser reports on the debut of Axis and Allies: Guadalcanal and the North African expansion.


Featured Book Review


1,396 hits since 6 Feb 2018
©1994-2025 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

Tango01 Supporting Member of TMP06 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 TMP06 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 TMP In the TMP Dawghouse06 Feb 2018 11:42 p.m. PST

The origins of "Say, Geronimo":

YouTube link

Worth watching just for the final battle scene.

Wolfhag Supporting Member of TMP07 Feb 2018 9:01 a.m. PST

I like "Currahee!"
YouTube link

Wolfhag

Tango01 Supporting Member of TMP07 Feb 2018 10:50 a.m. PST

Interesting answers… thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

Personal logo Legion 4 Supporting Member of TMP09 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 !

Sorry - only verified members can post on the forums.