The annual Army-Navy football game is a hotly anticipated matchup between the Army Black Knights from the U.S. Military Academy and the Navy Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy. Each year, the two schools debut a special uniform that the players will wear for the rivalry event. In previous years, tribute has been paid to legendary Army units and historic Navy achievements. For the 2024 Army-Navy Game, the ranked and undefeated Black Knights will wear uniforms to commemorate the 101st Airborne Division’s “Rendezvous with Destiny” at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII.
On November 18, 2024, Army struck first and revealed their uniforms for America’s Game. “Inspired by the 101st Airborne Division, we will honor the relentless fighting force of the #ScreamingEagles on Dec. 14,” Army Football posted to social media. The 2024 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Established in 1918, the 101st Airborne cemented its place in history during WWII. Paratroopers wearing the Screaming Eagle patch dropped into Normandy on D-Day and fought across the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden. Perhaps the unit’s most famous campaign was the Battle of the Bulge around Bastogne, Belgium, to which West Point’s 2024 Army-Navy Game uniform pays tribute.
In December 1944, Nazi Germany launched a surprise offensive in an attempt to turn the tide in Western Europe. Panzer tank units plowed through the Ardennes forest and slammed through allied lines which were being used as a rest area for the U.S. First Army. Desperate to stop the German advanced, Allied Command trucked in the ill-equipped and unprepared 101st Airborne Division to plug the gap in the line at Bastogne. Still training up replacements after combat in Holland and without proper cold weather clothing or sufficient ammunition, the Screaming Eagles held their positions in and around Bastogne against heavy German armor, ruthless German artillery, and an unforgiving winter.
Leading up to Christmas, German commander Lüttwitz requested the surrender of the Allied forces. When told of the German demand, the acting commander of the 101st, Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, responded, “Nuts!” The response was written down, typed up as an official response (all four letters and exclamation mark), and delivered to the German commander. McAullife’s response was also distributed across the division and boosted the morale of the beleaguered troops. Against the odds, the Screaming Eagles held the line until tanks of the Third Army broke through to Bastogne on December 26, 1944. The fighting continued for another month before battle lines were restored.
Highlighting the conditions faced by the 101st at the Battle of the Bulge, the black uniform of the Black Knights features a dusting of snow on the shoulder pads and helmet. The announcement post depicts the symbol of a club’s suit on the sides of the helmet. Different units within the 101st used symbols on their helmets for identification purposes including clubs for the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, diamonds for the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, hearts for the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, and spades for the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The front of the helmet features silver jump wings and the back reads “RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY,” referencing Maj. Gen. William Lee’s prophetic speech at the 101st’s reconstitution and reactivation ceremony on August 19, 1942.
Sticking with the back of the uniform, the back of the jersey features typewriter-style text in reference to Brig. Gen. McAuliffe’s famous response to the German surrender demand. On the front of the jersey, the Army star with a segmented circle and “BASTOGNE” nametape are featured on the right shoulder and breast, respectively. The Army star also appears on the palms of the snow-dusted gloves. Of course, the left shoulder of the jersey proudly displays the Screaming Eagle patch of the 101st Airborne with the American flag featured on the right shoulder. The Army-Navy Game will be played on December 14, 2024, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.