11th Airborne Division Commanders Quotes

“Wherever the 11th Airborne Division may be assigned, and whatever may be its duty, our country may rest secure in the firm belief that this mighty division of ‘Angels’ will give a good account of itself, wholly in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States armed forces and the spirit of the people of the free world.”

- Major General Joseph “Jumping Joe” May Swing, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 1943-1948

“To the men of the 11th Airborne: You and you alone are setting the standards by which you and your unit shall be judged. And I further charge you to make your conduct such that you may take real pride in it, and that all may know the true traditionally high standard of our glorious Division.”

- Major General William M. "Bud" Miley, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 1948-1950

“You now have the responsibility of maintaining the high standards you have set and of instilling it into other men who will join your ranks. In this, as in all else, I know that you men of the Fighting 11th Airborne will not fail!”

- Brigadier General Lemuel "Matty" Mathewson, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 1950-1950

“I consider the 11th Airborne Division to be one of the finest military organizations in any army anywhere. Its airborne spirit symbolizes the best of us all our armed forces, and I look to this division to strengthen our armed forces to the point where the enemies of freedom decide never to test us in battle again.”

"The honor and privilege of commanding such officers and men has made my duty with the 11th Airborne Division one of the most inspiring and unforgettable periods of my entire military service."

- Brigadier General Lyman L. "General Lem" Lemnitzer, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 1950-1951

- Major General Ridgely Gaither, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 1952-1953

“I consider the 11th Airborne Division to be one of the finest military organizations in any army anywhere. Its airborne spirit symbolizes the best of us all our armed forces, and I look to this division to strengthen our armed forces to the point where the enemies of freedom decide never to test us in battle again.”

- Major General Wayne C. Smith, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 1953-1955

“My sixteen months of service with the 'Angels' have been the happiest and most rewarding period of my entire Army career.”

- Major General Derril M. Daniel, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 1955-1956

"Whether the 11th Airborne continues as an instrument of Peace, or whether it faces an enemy in combat, I am fully confident that this airborne team will always contribute to the Division’s past achievements and to the honored traditions of Airborne.”

- Major General Hugh P. Harris, Commander, 11th Airborne Division (1956-1958)

- Major General Harry W. O. Kinnard, commander, 11th Air Assault Division (Test), 1963-1965

"And when people ask, ‘Where are the toughest soldiers, that can fight and win in the harshest environment on the planet?’ Tell them to look no further than the 11th Airborne Division."

- Major General Brian S. Eifler, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 2022-2024

"I’ve seen (the Angels) everywhere — from Australia training with allies and partners, to the island of Hokkaido in Japan, to over the pole in Finland, where the Finnish chief of army told me he hadn’t seen a better-trained Arctic cold-weather formation from the United States,” Hilbert said. “I’ve watched them conduct joint forcible entry operations in Hawaii, Australia, and across the Pacific."

"The bottom line is we all sleep well at night because these men and women are on watch. It has been an honor to serve alongside you. Your professionalism, toughness, and commitment to the mission are unmatched."

- Major General Joseph E. Hilbert, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 2024-2025

"We will be the best teammates possible — selfless, fearless, and relentless. The strength of this division lies in the courage, commitment, and professionalism of all of you, the Families that support you, and the Angels who have come before us. You are Arctic tough, you are lethal, and you uphold the standard. You are Angels. We are Angels. And I am proud to serve alongside you."

- Major General John P. Cogbill, commander, 11th Airborne Division, 2025-Current