The 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion (Separate) fought on the battlefields of Europe during World War II, where men of the battalion made the ultimate sacrifice. Their motto was “Aterrizar y Atacar,” meaning “Land and Attack,” and their battle cry was “GOYA,” standing for “Great Outstanding Young Americans.” The battalion is also remembered for eight paratroopers who died by drowning during a night training parachute jump on 16 Feb 1944 at Lake Kinney, Cameron: PFC Shelly C. Ferguson of Athens, Alabama; T/S John Hoffman of Pierce, Nebraska; PFC Kenneth D. McGrotty of Medford, Oregon; PFC Ishmael H. Petty of Coalwood, West Virginia; Sgt. Benjamin Preziotti of Brooklyn, New York; PFC Zollie Ramsey of Hil Ham, Tennessee; PFC Norval L. Reed of Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Pvt. John L. Wafford of St. Stephens, South Carolina.