Of all the battalions in the Grand Army of the Republic, Anakin Skywalker’s 501st Legion is no doubtStar Wars’most iconic. Part of this comes from the name, as the “501st Legion” originates from the cosplay organization created byStar Warsfans in 1997, one that began with screen-accurate stormtroopers outfits and has since expanded into a number of other characters and categories. Now, the 501st is primarily known for the battalion led by Anakin during the Clone Wars, which would go on to become Darth Vader’s elite stormtrooper legion as well.
It’s the clones in the 501st Legion that have helped to make the battalion so memorable and beloved, particularly because of their reputation for following in their Jedi general’s reckless footsteps. In addition to Anakin serving as the 501st’s general wasAhsoka Tano, Anakin’s Padawan, who served as a commander. Here are the other 31 named members of the 501st Legion, from those who only appeared briefly inStar Wars: The Clone Warsto some ofStar Wars’best characters, listed in order of their firstStar Warsappearances.
31Commander Appo (CC-1119)
First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Commander Appo, though first seen inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, was known mostly as Sergeant Appo, particularly during the Battle of Umbara. Appo was, unfortunately, forced to remain close to the interim Jedi General Pong Krell’s side on Umbara, with Krell often holding the sergeant and his forces back as Captain Rex’s men took heavy casualties on the battlefield. Following the revelation of Krell’s ties to the Separatists, however, Appo helped Rex lead their men against the former Jedi general.
What Happened To The Clones In Star Wars After Order 66?
The clones in Star Wars were manipulated and mistreated by the Empire after the Republic’s dissolution and Order 66. What became of them afterwards?
Later on, when Rex was promoted to commander of the 332nd Company to provide reinforcement to Ahsoka Tano during theSiege of Mandalore, Appo took command of the latter half of the 501st that remained on Coruscant with General Skywalker. DuringOrder 66,Appo was officially promoted to commander as well, just as he began helping General Skywalker to lead the attack on the Coruscant Jedi Temple. Appo’s fate is still unknown, but he is mostly associated with the tragedy that is Order 66 and the destruction of the Temple.
30Sergeant Fox (CT-0000/1010)
Sergeant Fox, not to be confused with Commander Fox of the Coruscant Guard, was a member of Commander Appo’s unit who moved in on Senator Bail Organa and the Jedi Padawan Zett Jukassa at theCoruscant Jedi Templeduring Order 66.Fox was the one who killed Zett Jukassaand gave the command to let Senator Organa escape, as his fellow troops focused on ensuring the area was secure. Though Fox wasn’t named during the movie, he was later identified in a sourcebook, and this was the last he was seen.
29Captain Rex (CT-7567)
First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Movie)
There is no 501st without Captain Rex, who’s no doubt the most famous clone of them all. Rex was General Skywalker’s right-hand throughout the Clone Wars, renowned for his strength, bravery, and sense of honor. Rex was a first generation clone, meaning thathe was one of the clones trained and ready for deployment when the Clone Wars began at the First Battle of Geonosis. Rex would go on to help General Skywalker lead the 501st until the war ended, though Rex’s story certainly didn’t end there.
Rex led the 501st in many different battles and campaigns, all of which culminated at the end of the Clone Wars. Rex was technically promoted to the rank of commander to take the 332nd Company, a group broken off from the rest of the 501st, to Mandalore, at the request of Ahsoka Tano. After participating in the Siege of Mandalore and successfully capturing Darth Maul, Order 66 was enacted, and Rex succumbed to the effects of theinhibitor chipimplanted in all the clones' brains. Thankfully, Ahsoka managed to remove his chip, and they escaped with their lives.
What Happened To Captain Rex After The Clone Wars & Order 66?
Captain Rex played a crucial role in pre-Imperial Star Wars, but what happened to the esteemed clone captain after Order 66 turned things upside down?
Rex didn’t stop there.He quickly moved to form a clone rebellion in the earliest days of the Empire, enlisting the support of Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora in the process. Rex and the clones he gathered intended to save clones from the Empire and remove their inhibitor chips. It’s unknown how long this went on, but eventually, Rex gave up on the fight and remained on the planet Sealos with his friends Commander Wolffe and Gregor. Later, however, he was recruited back to theRebel Alliancecause, and he even served during the Battle of Endor.
28Lieutenant Hawk
Lieutenant Hawk was a loyal clone pilot who completed drop-offs and extractions for the 501st Legion for much of the war. Hawk was first seen in theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie, where he warned General Skywalker of heavy enemy fire while they were approaching Teth. Hawk would go on to assist General Skywalker, Commander Tano, and their men throughout the war, with him notably being present at the Battle of Christophsis, the Battle of Umbara, and the Battle of Scipio.
27Sergeant Coric
Sergeant Coric is known for his service at the Battles of Christophsis and Teth, particularly the latter, during which he reported to Captain Rex with reassurances of no droids being spotted in the area. Thoughlittle is known about Coric inStar Warscanon, his story inStar WarsLegendsdictates that he was one of the only survivors of the 501st’s Torrent Company to make it off Teth, alongside Rex, Attie, Nax, Zeer, and Del. His fate is otherwise unknown, though this is perhaps the best case scenario for the clones during this treacherous war.
26Matchstick
Matchstick was a clone pilot in Shadow Squadron, operating under the callsign “Shadow Two.” The pilot is known for his contribution to the mission to protect the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center from General Grievous’Malevolence, though Matchstick’s participation had an unfortunate end. After his fighter’s left stabilizer was damaged while passing through the dangerous Balmorra Run, his ship lost control, and it collided with another one of his brother’s fighters. Both he and his brother, Tag, lost their lives to the explosions.
25Broadside
Broadside was another member of Shadow Squadron who was close friends with Matchstick. After the two of them served together during the Battle of Teth, they were eager to complete their attack on Grievous’Malevolence, though Matchstick would sadly meet his fate during this conflict. Broadside, however, survived, andhe even went on to fly under General Skywalker’s command once again during the Battle of Kamino, which saw Broadside flying fiercely to protect his homeworld.
24Ridge
Ridge has perhaps one of the more tragic life stories among the lesser-known named clones, having been with General Skywalker and the 501st Legion ever since the Battle of Teth in theStar Wars: The Clone Warsmovie. Ridge served alongside his fellow brothers in the Torrent Company faithfully, andhe made it to see the end of the war. Sadly, however, this also meant that he was a part of Order 66, at which point he was a member of the 332nd Company under Commander Rex. He was brutally killed by Maul while trying to hunt down Ahsoka Tano.
23Contrail (CT-4981)
First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars S1E3 “Shadow of Malevolence”
Contrail was another pilot in Shadow Squadron, operating under the callsign “Shadow Eleven.” Contrail participated in and survived the Battle of the Kaliida Nebula, and he went on to be a part of the Battle of Coruscant as well. InStar WarsLegends, Contrail has even more depth to his story, ashe saved Darth Vader’s life on one occasion as an Imperial pilot. In canon, however, Contrail’s skills as a pilot shine solely in the battle that protected a key medical station for the Republic.
22Tag
Tag was a clone pilot in Shadow Squadron who was tragically killed in combat during the Battle of the Kaliida Nebula. While executing evasive maneuvers to escape a blast from General Grievous' ion cannon, Tag’s Y-wing was struck by Matchstick’s. Both pilots, and their unnamed gunners, lost their lives in the collision, though victory was eventually earned - honoring both their fates.
