US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Jackson, SC)

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t ,..-,. mn.. .W The Stfistory of Bih lnianir Division For the third time in 32 years the 8th Infan- try Division composed of the 13th, 28th, 61st Infan- try and their supporting units was ordered into active status at Fort Jackson under the command of Brig. General Frank G. McConnell on 17 August 1950. Originally activated in January, 1918, the Golden Arrow division was still enroute to France during World War I when the Armistice was signed. The 8th Infantry Regiment, then a part of the division, was detained and attached to the Army of Occupation, serving on German soil until 19 August. The remaining elements of the 8th were immediately returned to the United States and in January 1919 the organization dis- banded. In March, 1923, the division was reconsti- tuted as an inactive unit. 1 July 1940 saw the 8th again ordered to active service at Camp Jackson, under command of the late Major General Philip B. Peyton, and a Week later the Post was announced as a perma- nent military post to be known thereafter as Fort Jackson. The reactivated division consisted mainly of the 13th, 28th and 34th Infantry Regiments and the 28th and 83rd Field Artillery Battalions. In September, 1941, the 8th took part in the Carolina Maneuvers, and with Pearl Harbor and the constant threat of an attack on the east coqast First allied armored group to enter the battered German city of Duren.

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N00 mess Army was directed by the Department of the Army and was effected on 17 August 1950. Every effort is made to provide the soldier with wholesome recreation and entertainment on t1ffe'Post. There are located on the Post a gymnas- ium, a field house with 3,500 seating capacityg a football field with cinder trackg a stadium with 4,500 seating capacity, three regimental baseball fields, fourteen softball fields, six of which are lighted, volleyball, handball and basketball courtsg four tennis courts, two cement swimming pools and three lakes equipped with beach material, two bowling alleys of six lanes eachg and an 18 hole golf course. Other facilities include three service clubsg four libraries, a hobby shop and camera shop, four theaters, and resting rooms through platoon level. There are eighteen chapels located on the post, providing opportunity to worship to each individ- ual, regardless of faith. For the servicemen who are desirous of con- tinuing their formal education, on-post classes are offered through the medium of the Army Educa- tion Center and the United States Army Forces Institute at no cost other than a 52.00 registration Top: Service club No. 1 Bottom: Service club No. 2 fee. Night classes are available at minimum cost at the City High Schools and the University of South Carolina, located in nearby Columbia. The military atmosphere at Fort Jackson be- fittingly perpetuates the significance of the South Carolina State motto, While I Breath, I Hope. Guest house

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Tanks on guard in cover of the shelled building by German submarines, it to patrol the Atlantic Coast. For six weeks Win- ter of 1942, units of the division patrolledfithe ard In March, 1943, the 8th moved tof,Qa1iip'1.aguna, Arizona, and participated in maneuvers. During this period of training shores from North Carolina to the F1orida.mIf1e59g,ifpffsitxgyas de-motorized and again designated a stand- In April, 1942, after having Jackson, it became the 8th Motorigedfflgiision. In September of that year the divisiongvvas ordered to participate in the Tennessee-lllianeuvers and from there headed for a nevwhjhome at Fort Leon- K'-L .. N, E ardffirifantry division. Returning from desert maneiiverskto Camp Forrest, Tennessee, prepara- tions vvere' immediately begun for an overseas movementsrw1.-3i1QQ.EfNovember the division arrived at the Camp 'il- liner, New Jersey, staging area,