Nazi Wears Hat Of 82nd Airborne Division, Who Remind Him They Fought The Nazis

'We know who we are. We know our legacy'.

A US Army division that fought the Nazis has criticised a man who did a KK salute - which closely resembles the Nazi salute - while wearing a hat bearing their insignia.

The picture of the man showed him doing the gesture at the Unite The Right rally that turned violent in Charlottesville, Virginia at the weekend. Neo-Nazis and Far Right members fought counter-demonstrators in the city.

One person died and 19 were injured when a car was driven into a group of anti-fascist protestors.

The picture of the man doing the salute went viral as many clamoured to identify the white supremacists who took part on Saturday.

Would *LOVE* to know the name of Mr. 82nd Airborne Division here rendering Hitler's Nazi salute. The 82nd jumped into Normandy on D-Day. pic.twitter.com/oObJNgXzEI

— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) August 13, 2017

The 82nd Airborne famously parachuted into Normandy during the Second World War on D Day to fight the Nazis. A hat that bears their insignia is quite a contrast to a gesture of the Far Right whose ideological ancestors they fought to destroy.

The 82nd Airborne’s official Twitter account tweeted to remind people this, saying: “Our WWII Airborne forefathers jumped into Europe to defeat Nazism. We know who we are. We know our legacy.”

Our WWII Airborne forefathers jumped into Europe to defeat Nazism. We know who we are. We know our legacy.

— All American 💯 (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017

They added that the hat was available for anyone to buy to and that valour had to be “earned”.

Anyone can purchase that hat. Valor is earned. pic.twitter.com/qk6rQHBwui

— All American 💯 (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017

“You really think that guy is an active member of the 82nd just because he has that hat?” They asked. “My mom has that same hat. She’s 78 & and has never served.”

U really think that guy is an active member of the 82nd just because he has that hat? My mom has that same hat. She's 78 & has never served

— All American 💯 (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017

When one person tweeted to ask who the Nazi-saluting man was, the division tweeted “Who cares?” and shared a picture of a Second World War veteran, saying: “THIS is what an All American Paratrooper looks like”.

Who knows? THIS is what an All American Paratrooper looks like. Rock Merritt jumped into Normandy on D Day, Njiemgen, fought in Bulge pic.twitter.com/vaps5fU0jb

— All American 💯 (@82ndABNDiv) August 14, 2017
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