History of the Screaming Eagle Shipping & Returns
The eagle's story begins in 1861 when Chief Big Sky, who was from the Flambeau band of Chippewa Indians, acquired two eaglets in Vilas County.  Chief Big Sky later sold one of the eaglets to a pioneer named Daniel McCann for a bag of shelled corn. The McCann farm is located in Chippewa County. The eagle, tethered with a fishing line, became the family pet. When the Civil War began, McCann tried to enlist. He was not able to because he had a slight limp from a childhood accident.  He took the eagle to Eau Claire and suggested to Captain John E. Perkins, of the Eau Claire Badgers, Company C, 8th Wisconsin Regiment of the famed Iron Brigade, that the bird would make a great mascot. McCann offered to sell the eagle for $2.50. All the newly enlisted soldiers donated 10 cents each to cover the cost. The eagle became a member of the unit, being ceremoniously sworn into military service. The bird was named Old Abe in honor of President Lincoln and was decorated with red, white and blue ribbons and a rosette. The company's name was changed from Badgers to Eagles. The regiment traveled through Chicago on their way to St. Louis. While in Chicago, the bird attracted much attention.  The Chicago Tribune, on October 13, 1861 wrote, 'A noticeable feature … was the Chippewa Eagles … and the live American eagle, which they brought with them, was an object of much curiosity. He is a majestic bird, well trained and docile, permitting people to pat his regal head and smooth down his feathers without resistance.
The eagle, with the regiment during four years of war, was present at 37 battles and skirmishes in Missouri, Louisiana and Mississippi, including a fight at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862, when Captain Perkins was fatally wounded. One historian of the period described the eagle's action in battle: 'At the sound of the regimental bugle, he would start up suddenly, dart up his head and bend it gracefully anticipating the sudden shock, and when conscious of its reality, his eyes would flash with uncommon luster.' The eagle traveled 14,000 miles with the regiment. He was wounded twice… once at Vicksburg and again at Corinth, Mississippi.
After the war he was brought back to Wisconsin and given to the state.  The bird had a two-room apartment in the basement of the Capitol in Madison.  In 1881, oil and paint that was kept close by Old Abe's room ignited.  The eagle was rescued but he later died from inhaling the fumes.  There was a lot of discussion about what to do with the remains of Old Abe.  It was decided that he be stuffed and put on display in the Capitol. In 1904, the Capitol burned down, and the stuffed body of Old Abe was lost in the fire.  However, copies or replicas of Old Abe were created so that people could always remember him and the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The story does not end here for the Screaming Eagle would rise from the ashes to charge into battle again and in so doing win immortal and everlasting frame for him and his regiment.
In 1941, with the attack on Pearl Harbor and America’s entrance into World War II, many new combat divisions were reactivated in order to meet the threat posed by the hostile force of Imperial Japan and Germany. One of the new and innovative concept formulated at that time was that involving infantry combat units that would attack behind enemy lines… assaulting from the sky. Thus were born the U.S. Army Paratroopers… the elite airborne warriors of the sky. One of these fledgling units was destined to win for itself an immortal reputation for courage and tenacity that would forever shine as one of the most illustrious chapters in American military history. 

On August 15, 1942, the 101st Airborne Division was activated at Camp Clairborne, Louisiana. In October the unit moved to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where an intensive airborne training program was initiated. The Division embarked for the European Theater of Operation landing in England in September 1943. After additional training in Berkshire and Wiltshire the 101st Airborne embarked upon the “Great Crusade”… the D-Day Invasion of the Fortress Europa at Normandy, France on June 6th, 1944. Here they made their first of combat jump of the Second World War. After linking up with the 4th Infantry Division, the 101st attacked enemy forces and captured Pouppeville, Vierville, and St. Come du Mont after a fierce struggle. Advancing towards the heavily fortified town of Carentan, the men of the 101st met terrific resistance from an entrenched enemy but captured this important stronghold on June 12th after a bayonet charge wiped out a key German stronghold. With the help of the 2nd Armored Division, a strong German attempt to split the invasion force was turned back, and Omaha and Utah beaches remained linked.The 101st was relieved on July 13th and sent back to England to refit and prepare for its next mission.
On September 17th, 1944 the 101st dropped into Holland in the first phase of Operation Market Garden. As the southern most of the airborne divisions, the 101st was given the mission of capturing three bridges, on each at Veghel, Oedenrode and Zon. Additionally it was to hold a 25 mile stretch of road until a land attack from the south could link all elements of the Airborne Force. Attacking to the south, the men of the 101st Airborne Division captured Eindhoven and met troops from the British Guards Armored Division who were attacking north. On September 23rd, a strong enemy attack cut the road between Veghel and Uden, but a task force from the 10st and the British Guards threw the enemy back after a series of strong counter attacks along the vital road. After a series of patrol actions, the the division returned to Mourmelon, France on November 28th for a rest that was cut short by the German Ardennes offensive.

On December 17th, the 101st was alerted was alerted for movement and elements engaged a strong enemy force east of Bastogne on December 19th while a circular defense line around the city was established. For 24 hours, the attacks from two German divisions from the east were repulsed with heav losses to the enemy. An attack from the north was also repulsed and the following day an attack from the southeast was beaten back with the German forces suffering terrible losses. A combined German force swept to the southwest of the Division lines and cut the last supply route and then attempted to capture Bastogne with an attack from the west.
On December 22nd, a German demand that the Division “surrender or be annihilated” was answered by General Anthony McAuliffe, commanding the 101st, with a single word… “Nuts!”. On the following day, weather conditions improved allowing some much needed supplies to be dropped by air. On December 24th and Christmas Day, fresh German attacks were repulsed. Late in the afternoon of December 26th, relief elements of the 4th Armored Division reached outposts of the 101st Division. Heavy fighting continued in the Bastogne area, but on January 9th, 1945 the division went on the offensive and attacked northeast capturing Neville and Bourcy and held on to reduce the Bulge. As a result of their tenacity and valor during the Ardennes offensive, the Division won for itself the immortal name, “The Battered Bastards of Bastogne”.
From February 17th to February 25th, the 101st was operational along the Moder River in the Alsace and engaged in river crossing operations and aggressive patrol actions. After a rest in France, the Division moved to the Ruhr Pocket on March 31st continuing to raid and patrol enemy territory before attacking east with the Seventh Army and reaching Berchtesgaden as the war in Europe finally came to an end. The men of the Screaming Eagle Division had fought in four major campaigns and were in combat for 214 days at a cost of 9,328 battle casualties in killed and wounded.
The shoulder patch worn by the 101st Division is based on a design first approved on May 23rd, 1923, and the “Airborne” tab was authorized on August 28th, 1942. The Black shield suggests the “Iron Brigade” of the War Between the States, and the eagle’s head represents “Old Abe”… the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Regiment. The unit’s illustrious lineage isThe shoulder patch worn by the 101st Division is based on a design first approved on May renowned through out the world to this day. Its heraldry and traditions are carried forth by the Division as it continues in its mission to serve our country, to be vigilant in its mission to preserve freedom and democracy, and to maintaining an everlasting commitment to duty, honor and country.
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