Honored Division Week #6: Black Knights at home versus Florida Atlantic, honor 82nd Airborne Division with gameday patch

After a heart-pounding finish that saw the Black Knights score 10 points in the final seven minutes, including a game-winning 25-yard field goal by junior kicker Dawson Jones, to defeat Tulane 20-17 last weekend, the Army West Point Football team (3-2) faces American Conference opponent Florida Atlantic at noon on Oct. 17 at West Point’s Michie Stadium.

The Black Knights take the field this week against the Owls, honoring the 82nd Airborne Division with division patches on the back of their helmets. The recognition highlights the history, accomplishments and continued service of Army divisions as part of the Honored Division theme featured throughout the 2026 football season.

The 82nd Airborne Division represents Soldiers and units stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

History of the 82nd Airborne Division The 82nd Infantry Division was activated at Camp Gordon, Georgia, in August 1917 for the Great War. It was the second of eight divisions to deploy and fight in France. During this period, divisions were generally constituted from Soldiers drawn from a certain region, but the 82nd incorporated Soldiers from all 48 states, earning the moniker, “All-American Division.”

The first 82nd Division commander was Maj. Gen. Eben Swift, U.S. Military Academy Class of 1876 graduate. During World War I, the division fielded two infantry brigades, each containing two infantry regiments and a machine gun battalion. Of the division’s infantry regiments, only the 325th and 327th Infantry still serve on active duty. The division also boasted a field artillery brigade of two regiments and a trench mortar battery.

In May 1918, the division deployed to France, gaining combat experience along the Somme and Woëvre fronts before participating in the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. On Oct. 3, Maj. Gen. George Duncan, USMA Class of 1886 graduate, assumed command of the division. During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the division broke through the Hindenburg Line, and Sgt. Alvin York of C Company, 328th Infantry, earned the Medal of Honor for his actions near Hill 223.

Following the war, the 82nd returned to the United States and was deactivated in May 1919 before being reconstituted into the Organized Reserve in 1921.

In March 1942, the division resumed active service at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under Maj. Gen. Omar Bradley, USMA Class of 1915 graduate. During this period, Matthew Ridgway, USMA Class of 1917 graduate; James Gavin, USMA Class of 1929 graduate; and Maxwell Taylor, USMA Class of 1922 graduate, also joined the division.

In August 1942, Ridgway took command of the division, which was redesignated as an Airborne Division, the first airborne division in the U.S. Army.

During its training, the division underwent several organizational changes, including the addition of the 504th and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiments. In April 1943, the 82nd Airborne Division deployed to the Mediterranean Theater, landing in North Africa.

In July 1943, elements of the division jumped into Sicily, and in September 1943 they jumped into Salerno. During the Italian campaign, elements also conducted amphibious landings during Operations Avalanche and Shingle. At Anzio, the 504th earned the nickname “Devils in Baggy Pants,” reportedly from an entry in a German officer's diary.

Following the Italian campaigns, the division trained in England before participating in the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. In the subsequent 33 days of combat, Ridgway noted that the division operated “without relief, without replacements. Every mission accomplished. No ground gained was ever relinquished.”

Once the division was pulled out of Normandy, they returned to England to prepare for their next mission, Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. On Sept. 17, 1944, the division jumped into the Netherlands to capture the bridges at Grave and Nijmegen to facilitate the advance of the British XXX Corps.

Following Market Garden, the 82nd refitted in France, but in December 1944, they were rushed to Elsenborn Ridge to stop the German offensive at the Battle of the Bulge. In January 1945, the 82nd launched a counterattack, capturing over 2,400 German prisoners. At the end of the war, the 82nd Airborne Division occupied Berlin from August until November 1945. During World War II, the division suffered more than 9,000 casualties, and four Soldiers — John R. Towle, Charles N. DeGlopper, Leonard A. Funk Jr. and Joe Gandara — earned the Medal of Honor.

During the Cold War, the 82nd was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was designated as the nation’s strategic reserve. Elements of the division deployed to both the Dominican Republic (Operation Power Pack) and to Vietnam in response to the Tet Offensive, serving 22 months in Vietnam.

In the 1980s, elements of the 82nd Airborne Division took part in the invasion of Grenada, Operation Urgent Fury (October 1983), Operation Golden Pheasant in Honduras (March 1988), and Operation Just Cause in Panama (December 1989). In August 1990, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the 82nd deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield, followed in January 1991 by Operation Desert Storm.

In August 1992, the 82nd conducted humanitarian operations in response to Hurricane Andrew in southern Florida. For the remainder of the 1990s, elements of the division served in Haiti, guarded Cuban refugees in Panama, and deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo. During the Global War on Terrorism, the division deployed multiple times to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

From the 82nd Airborne Division to West Point Before making the jump to the U.S. Military Academy, Class of 2027 Cadet Deklan Wilk began his military career as an 11 Bravo (Infantryman) in the 82nd Airborne Division, primarily as a squad automatic weapon (SAW) gunner and, during his final six months, a team leader. The USMA senior majoring in Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) achieved the rank of Specialist (E-4) while serving in the division from 2021-23.

Wilk truly felt it was an “honor” to the serve in and wear the 82nd Airborne Division patch for two years.

“The 82nd has an incredible history and reputation, and being able to wear the AA patch and serve alongside the Soldiers in the division was something I will be always proud of,” Wilk stated.

He said one of his fondest memories and “easily” his favorite part of the job at the 82nd were airborne jumps.

“There is nothing quite like standing in the door of a C-130 staring into the pitch-black night and then jumping out,” Wilk described.

Equally memorable were the relationships he formed with fellow Soldiers, many of whom he still keeps in touch with.

Within the first month with his unit and within a year of being in the Army, he earned his Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB).

“Earning the EIB significantly improved my confidence and showed me that I was capable of more than I initially believed,” Wilk explained. “My experiences in the infantry, especially being given increased responsibilities as I progressed into a team leader role, helped me realize that I wanted to continue serving and pursue a commission.”

The mentor who pushed Wilk to improve as a Soldier and helped him realize his potential was Sgt. 1st Class Josh Harris, who is now a first lieutenant.

“His mentorship played a significant role in encouraging me to pursue West Point and continue my Army career,” Wilk said. “He was the driving force in my decision to become an officer as he was also working toward becoming an officer. I would regard him as one of the best leaders I’ve ever had.”

Lt. Col. Ryan Boeka, a 2005 USMA graduate and Academy professor, currently serves as the International Affairs Program director in the Department of Social Sciences, leading 16 military and civilian faculty members and a program with more than 120 cadet majors.

Boeka served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 2010-13 as a company commander. He returned in 2023 as a lieutenant colonel commanding 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment in the 1st Brigade Combat Team and also served as the division G-5 until June 2025.

For Boeka, wearing the All-American patch and maroon beret meant serving alongside “some of the finest NCOs, officers and paratroopers in our Army.”

“I set a goal as a cadet to serve in the 82nd, and I’m grateful I had the chance to do so multiple times and in several different roles,” Boeka said. “Each time I left the division, it was hard to take off the maroon beret, not knowing whether I would have a chance to wear it again,”

His best memories of working in the division were doing the hard things alongside incredible leaders during deployments, combat training center rotations and long field problems.

“There is nothing like jumping into a multi-day exercise with nothing but your rucksack, seizing an airfield and then leading your paratroopers on follow-on missions,” Boeka explained. “The level of planning and detail that goes into those operations is intense, and it prepared me for every assignment that followed. Everything else seemed easy in comparison.”

Boeka expressed that confidence is something that comes from not just doing the hard things but “keeping pace with the talented people around you, and the 82nd offers plenty of opportunities for both.”

Boeka also credited several exceptional leaders with shaping his career, including retired Col. Eric Baus, Col. Jason Schuerger, Maj. Gen. Pat Work and the division's deputy commanding generals, who invested in his development and held him “to the highest standard.”

“However, most importantly, I grew because of the NCOs I served with, from my platoon sergeants to first sergeants to my operations sergeant major and command sergeant major,” Boeka said. “Command Sgts. Maj. Alan Sutton and Jay Barber enabled me to command my squadron and made me better every day as I tried to keep up with them.”

Capt. Matthew Moser currently serves as the tactical officer for India Company, Second Regiment (I-2), where he mentors cadets and oversees their development outside the classroom.

A 2016 Virginia Tech graduate, Moser served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 2022-25. He began as a logistics planner in the 1st Brigade Combat Team before commanding Golf Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He later served as a logistics planner at the division level.

“Having the opportunity to serve and command paratroopers in the 82nd was a privilege that I’ll never forget and will undoubtedly be one of the greatest highlights of my Army career,” Moser stated. “The division’s duty as the nation’s Immediate Response Force means that paratroopers in the 82nd are constantly staring down the world’s toughest problems and greatest threats.

“As a result, I found myself surrounded by the greatest Soldiers, NCOs and officers the Army has to offer, and each day felt like a test to confirm that I deserved to serve with them,” he added. “The pride, grit and tenacity of paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division is unique and inspiring, and leading them is something that every West Point cadet should strive to do at least once in his or her career.”

Moser's fondest memories include airborne operations and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotations, where shared challenges helped strengthen relationships within the unit.

“Helping young paratroopers overcome their fear of jumping, inspecting the parachutes of your subordinates and sharing a meal in the field are all opportunities to build trust and create memories with your paratroopers,” Moser said.

Becoming a jumpmaster and competing alongside his Soldiers also strengthened Moser's confidence as a leader. “Every day in the 82nd is a test, as you’re constantly surrounded by the highest caliber of Soldier the Army has to offer,” Moser exclaimed. “Competing with and against my paratroopers, whether it be at morning PT, during E3B training, or during the AFT, it always made me confident that I had earned my spot in the division.”

More than a Patch on Gameday As Army Football takes the field Saturday, players will wear the 82nd Airborne Division's All-American patch on their helmets, honoring the division's legacy and the Soldiers who have served in its ranks.

For Wilk, honoring the 82nd recognizes both division’s history and the modern Army that the Corps of Cadets is preparing to join.

“For me, wearing the AA patch was more than just wearing the insignia of my unit,” Wilk said. “It represented the Soldiers I served with, the standards I was held to, and the experiences that shaped me as a Soldier and leader.

“Being recognized at the Army Football game also gives the Corps of Cadets an opportunity to see the connection between their time at West Point and the Soldiers and units they will eventually serve alongside,” he added. “As someone who came to West Point after serving in the 82nd, I have experienced both sides of that connection, and I think it is especially meaningful to be able to represent my former division here.”

Moser feels that honoring the 82nd Airborne Division this weekend serves as a way “to thank those paratroopers who have worn the patch in the past, while simultaneously showing support to those who are currently answering the call to defend our nation.”

“Also, as Army takes the field Saturday, there will likely be family members watching who have a loved one forward deployed to serve as a deterrence to our enemies,” Moser stated. “Seeing the 82nd patch on the Army’s helmets reminds them that their paratrooper has our respect, admiration and support.”

For cadets, Moser said the recognition also serves as a reminder of the responsibilities they may one day assume.

“Cadets must understand that serving in the 82nd means they may be asked to lead paratroopers through the hardest days of their lives,” Moser replied. “They must be confident that West Point has prepared them to succeed when that time comes.”

Boeka echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how serving alongside the Soldiers and leaders of the 82nd shaped him as an officer.

“Excellence breeds excellence, and there is no better unit for West Point and the Army team to be associated with,” Boeka explained. “For cadets, seeing the All-American patch should serve as a reminder that the standards they are held to here are the standards they will be expected to uphold in units like the 82nd, where paratroopers will be counting on them to lead.”

(Editor’s note: 82nd Airborne Division historical knowledge was provided by Dave Siry, the Director for the Center of Oral History at the U.S. Military Academy.)

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