noted that there was a serious lack of paratrooper helmets available for use by the unit. To palliate this lack, standard infantry M1 helmets were specially modified by the unit riggers, with a new chinstrap being installed. The infantry standard chinstrap was shortened on both sides, and a replacement buckle and makeshift chincup was sewn into place. The modified chinstrap was designed to fit to the wearers chin as tightly as possible, so as to avoid losing the helmet during the jump. The 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team is the only unit of the US Army to have used this type of modified helmet during World War II. The modified helmets can immediately be traced back to the 517th PRCT and Operation Dragoon. It is suspected that approximately 3,000 such helmets were made, most of which were camouflaged with spray paint as well, adding to the unique look of these helmets. Today The alumni group of the 517th, the 517 PRCT Association, still holds an annual reunion, prints a quarterly newsletter, and has an almost daily email newslist. There is also an auxiliary group, consisting of children, relatives, and friends of the 517th who actively assist in the events and maintain the history of the unit. References External links 517th PRCT Web Site Paratrooper's Odyssey – The Official History of the 517th World War II Airborne listing for the 517th PIR Newsreport about 517th PIR veteran Lt Howard Hensleigh returning wedding photos of a German soldier he killed to the soldier's grandson after 68 years Video about the 517th PRCT modified helmet belonging to trooper Marvin D. Moles, I co 517th PIR, that was discovered in France in 1999 Jewish Soldier Pvt Henry Wikins of the 596th PEC-wounded; captured and reportedly murdered by the Germans 16 August 1944 Example of 517th PRCT modified helmet used in the southern France jump Infantry regiments of the United States Army Infantry regiments of the United States Army in World War II Military units and formations established in 1943 517 Military units and formations disestablished in 1946 1943 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) 1946 disestablishments in the United States