The U.S. 17th Airborne Division was an airborne division of the United States Army during World War II. Activated in 1943, it was trained for parachute operations and played a significant role in the European Theater. The division participated in key battles, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine River crossing. After the war, the 17th Airborne Division was inactivated in 1945. Although it did not see extensive combat compared to other divisions, it contributed to the overall success of Allied operations in Europe. The division's legacy continues to be honored by airborne units today.