posted 06-08-2018 10:52 AM            

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Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation

The original Prop Blast Mug used by the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion.

The first prop blast mug from WWII era was used by the 503rd Parachute Infantry Battalion. It was made from a 75mm shell casing with parachute ripcord handles welded on the side. Engraved on the mug are the names of all the participants, most notably Major R.F. Sink (later Lieutenant Colonel Sink, Commanding General XVIII Airborne Corps), Captain Yarborough (later Lieutenant General Yarborough, Commanding General, 1st Corps who designed and patented the U.S. Army parachute wings) and CPT James Gavin (later Lieutenant General Gavin, Commander of the 82d Airborne Division).

The first prop blast ceremony was conceived by Captain William P. Yarborough and First Lieutenant William T. Ryder for the 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion in 1940 as a rite of passage for new Airborne Officers. As part of the prop blast ceremony officers were required to drink a special mixture from a ceremonial mug. This tradition continues today, as newly assigned Officers are initiated into their units by way of the Prop Blast Ceremony.

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