US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Benning, GA)

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HEADQUARTERS 2d INFAN TRY DIVISION Public Information Oflice Fort Benning, Georgia BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 2d INFANTRY DIVISION The history of the Second Infantry Divi- sion is one of glory and sacrifice. In peace or in war, no soldier could serve with a more honored unit. The slogan, Second to Nonev reflects the intense pride and spirit of the fighting 2d Division. Its impressive combat record began soon after it was organized in 1917 at Bour- mont, France. It was born of war. In World War I, the 2d Infantry Division won more decorations than any other American Divi- sion. Participating in every major engage- ment involving American troops, it cap- tured one-fourth of the prisoners taken by the American Expeditionary Forces and suffered one-tenth of the American casual- ties. In its first major campaign, the Division was rushed to Chateau-Thierry to aid in halting and counter-attacking a full-scale German drive on Paris. The historic battle of Belleau Woods followed. The month of July in 1918 found the Division, operating under the French Army, in active fighting against the German positions in Soissons, France. Moving across this sector, the Divi- sion troops marched and fought in a spec- tacular sweep that sent the enemy reeling back along the line. Then, after bitter fighting in the St. Mihiel salient, it helped to reduce the bastion of Blanc Mont, a mili- tary objective of formidable proportions. The capture of this strong-point by the 2d Division opened the way toward the bat- tles of the Argonne Forest. For its heroic actions at Soissons and Blanc Mont, the Division was awarded the French Fourragere in the colors of the Croix de Guerre with two palms. Returning to American command, the Division took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The offensive was the beginning of the German route that ended with the signing of the Armistice. After the signing of the Armistice, the 2d Division moved into Germany with the Army of Occupation. In the summer of 1919, the Division returned from occupa- tional duty to its station at Fort Sam Hous- ton, Texas, where it pioneered many changes in tactics, organization and equip- ment of the modern infantry division. In 1939, reorganization of the 2d Divi- sion took place. The infantry units were formed into three separate regiments-the 9th, 23d and 38th-completing the tri- angular organizations. The 2d became the first such division. When the United States entered the Sec- ond World War, the 2d began preparing for a major role. Before sailing for Ireland in October 1943, the Division had under- gone airborne training at its home station, Fort Sam Houston, winter training at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and Army-wide maneuvers in Louisiana. In April 1944, it moved to Wales and prepared for the assault on continental Eu- rope as part of the First US Army.

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On 7 June 1944-D-Day plus one-the Indianhead Division returned to France for the second time, landing on Omaha Beach at St. Laurent sur-Mar While enemy shells were still pouring into the thinly held beach-head. The 2d played a large part in Winning the famous Battle of the HedgeroWs - the first of its five campaigns in World War II. On the heels of this encounter came the bitter fight for Hill 192, a commanding strong-point on the road to St. Lo. The Division remained on the defensive until 11 July and then jumped off to attack. With the aid of tremendous artillery and aerial bombardments, tanks, and engineers, this vital objective Was finally taken. The Division continued to slam through Normandy during the fighting around St. Lo, and then Went on to capture St. Jean des Baisants, Vire, and Tinchebray. Shortly after the battle for Tinchebray, the 2d em- barked on a 3 00 mile journey into Brittany to take part in the Battle of Brest, one of the Nazi naval strongholds on the Atlantic coast. Although Hitler had ordered Brest held for three months, it was captured in 29 days. October found the 2d in Southern Bel- gium facing the Siegfried Line. After three