501st Clone Troopers at the Jedi Temple on the night of Order 66
The 501st Legion, also known as the 501st or 501st Battalion and later as "Vader's Fist", was an elite group of Clone Troopers that served under Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars They continued to serve him under the Empire when he became Darth Vader. He led them in Operation: Knightfall, in which the clones helped take down the Jedi, believing them traitors to the Republic. Shortly after the Jedi Purge and the formation of the Galactic Empire, the Grand Army of the Republic was absorbed into Stormtrooper Corps, given new armor and new weapons. After the Kamino uprising, the 501st became the last remnant of the Grand Army of the Republic fully composed of Jango Fett clones. In the ever-growing and diversifying , the Fett clones were becoming a minority, with the inclusion of pools of clones from different templates, while others were birth-born recruits from Imperial academies; by 0 BBY though Darth Vader was known to comb through the ranks of all stormtrooper units and transferring the very best to the 501st, a fact that angered other Imperial figures- like Mara Jade - who had to work with lesser qualified units.
The Legion fought in a number of battles during the Galactic Civil War in an effort to defeat the Rebel Alliance and bring peace to the galaxy; however, the Alliance ultimately triumphed, and the 501st was disbanded after the Battle of Endor.
Later, the Chiss Grand Admiral Thrawn resurrected the designation by forming a new 501st Legion. He also added more diverse recruits to the 501st, including non-humans. The reconstituted 501st was stationed in the Unknown Regions, where they protected Thrawn's Empire of the Hand. Over a century later, the Legion was in the service of a new Empire, by then under the rule of Emperor Roan Fel.
When Fel was deposed by Darth Krayt shortly after the conclusion of the Sith–Imperial War, the 501st Legion fell under the control of the Dark Lord of the Sith in the year 130 ABY. Seven years later, however, Fel returned from exile and joined in the war against Krayt in order to reclaim his throne. Under the leadership of General Oron Jaeger, the 501st deserted the Dark Lord's Galactic Empire in order to join the Fel faction.
History[]
Battle of Geonosis[]
The 501st were deployed first in the Battle of Geonosis - the first battle of the Clone Wars. The horrific nature of the fighting was unexpected even with their rigorous training. However, their experiences on Geonosis made them a battle-hardened legion and gave them the experience to take on any mission in the Clone Wars.
"All that breeding, all those years of training, it doesn't really prepare you for all the screaming, all the blood does it? Frankly, I'm still amazed we made it through the first hour, nevermind the first day." - excerpt from the journal a 501st Clone Trooper / Survivor of Geonosis
Order 66[]
Anakin / Darth Vader marching on the Temple with the 501st Legion on the night of Order 66
Upon the execution of Order 66, Anakin, newly named as Darth Vader, marched on the temple with the 501st to purge the majority of the Jedi Order.
"We all knew what was about to happen, what we were about to do. Did we have any doubts? Any private, traitorous thoughts? Perhaps, but none of us said a word" - excerpt from the journal a 501st Clone Trooper on Order 66
As Vader's Fist[]
In the early days of the Empire, the 501st were sent to quell many revolting planets such as Naboo and Kashyyyk. They continued to serve under Vader and were renamed as "Vader's Fist."
Kaminoan Revolt[]
The 501st was instrumental in crushing the Kaminoan Revolt in 12 BBY. The Kaminoans revolting grown disobedient and had commisioned their own batch of Clones to rival the Empire. This attack was spearheaded by Bounty Hunter Boba Fett who grew up in the facilities.
Ending this insurrection removed a potential threat, but also ended the possibility of Clone replenishment. Over time as Clones aged-out (due to their accelerated ageing) the ranks were replaced with normal human Stormtroopers.
"We never really got used to the new guys." - a 501st Clone with regards to regular human stormtroopers being added to the legion
Rebel Base on Hoth[]
The final recorded mission with any remaining Clone members in the 501st was in 3 ABY with the successful attack on the Rebel base on the ice planet of Hoth. It was considered vengeance for the Rebels blowing up the Death Star which had some members of the 501st stationed on it when the battle station was destroyed.
Appearances[]
Needs expanding
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars Battlefront II (2005 Video Game)
- Revenge of the Sith (Video Game)