Formation of the rainbow division was authorized on august 1, 1917, less than two months after creation of the aefs first operational division, the 1st us infantry division, the big red one. Membership form 42nd division, 42nd infantry division. Angered by the sight of it, we hauled down that nazi flag and burned it. Rainbow division veterans gather to commemorate milestones. The rainbow division, famous in world war i history, was hailed by newspapers upon its going overseas in nov. The division landed in france in december 1944, crossed the german border in march 1945, and liberated dachau concentration camp on april 29, 1945. The nickname rainbow division represented the diversity of men grouped into one division as. Distinguished unit citation to 1st battalion, 242nd infantry for action jan. The rainbow division 42nd infantry division was the premier national guard division to fight on the western front in the great war.
Lenihan 165th new york infantry regiment, colonel charles hine 166th ohio infantry regiment, colonel benson w. The big picture nd42 rainbow division sergeant stuart queen. First 19 pages cover the combat history of the unit. The rainbow division was one of the american expeditionary forces most celebrated and best divisions. It served in combat with the 42nd infantry division, the rainbow division, and served during the occupation of germany before its deactivation in 1947. Official story of the 166th infantry, 42nd division, in the world war. Internet archive bookreader 42nd rainbow infantry division. Although a small book it has invaluable information in it. The first rainbow division was composed of national guard units from 27 states and it was this collection of men which inspired general douglas macarthur, its most famous member, to declare. Task force linden composed of three regiments and detachment of division headquarters of 42d infantry division. The 42nd landed in france in december 1944 and as part of the 7th army, advanced through france and entered germany in march of 1945. A book of facts concerning the army of the united states. Frank roth huntington, field artillery, rainbow division, decatur county was firing a six inch howitzer gun when it blew up causing my injuries wounded in the left forearm and thigh at baccarat, lorraine sector at the same time killing paul cross and bernard hurst of shelbyville, indiana.
This is a list of current formations of the united states army, which is constantly changing as the army changes its structure over time. Roster of the rainbow division fortysecond major general wm. It is a history made possible not by individual achievement, but by the combined. Notice the buckled gaiters and the military boots which identify these men as waffenss soldiers. South carolina engineers in the 42nd rainbow division in. South carolina engineers in the 42nd rainbow division in world war i david l. The best books available on the american expeditionary forces in the first world war. Are you sure you want to remove 42nd rainbow infantry division from your list. Amidst the rush by america to mobilize, individual states competed with each other for the honor to be the first to send their national guard units to fight in the trenches of europe. The 42nd infantry task force represents national guard members from more than twelve states. Cheseldine represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in indiana state library. Apr 03, 2017 the 42nd infantry rainbow division s history began with americas entry into world war i. Rainbow division that represented the united states. Wwii 42nd rainbow infantry division personal grouping.
I have just modified 4 external links on 42nd infantry division united states. Army 2nd bn 242nd inf 42nd division unit history book. By eric durr, new york state division of military and naval affairs july 24, 2017. The 42nd infantry rainbow division s history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. The 242nd infantry division was a division of the german army in world war ii world war ii. Rainbow division in 1917 men were selected from various units of the national guard of 26 states and the district of columbia to form a truly representative division with a view towards bringing the war home to the people. To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, im or document to embed the entire object, paste this html in website to link to this page, paste this link in email, im or document. See more ideas about world war, division and ww2 history. List of nicknames of united states army divisions wikipedia.
That unit had been formed by the amalgamation of regular army units. The 232nd infantry regiment was activated on 14 july 1943 and was assigned to the 42nd infantry division, the rainbow division. The 42nd infantry division has served in world war i, world war ii and the global war on terrorism gwot. Snead d espite witnessing the carnage in europe for over two and a half years, the united states was not prepared for military involvement in the first world war when president woodrow wilson sent his request for a declaration of war to congress on 2 april 1917. Hough 150th wisconsin machine gun battalion, mayor william b. List of current formations of the united states army. The sun, adapted from the seal of the state of new york, refers to the location and home area of the 42nd infantry division. Mar 16, 2012 the rainbow division was one of the american expeditionary forces most celebrated and best divisions. Rainbow division readies for iraq militia forces for the state of new york was in the hands of the 42nd division headquarters, he said.
Apr 25, 2010 vernon lawrence larry petersen was a technical sergeant in the 42nd rainbow division of the us seventh army during ww ii. Nice unit history of the 2nd battalion, 242nd infantry regiment, 42nd rainbow division. The combat route the 42nd infantry division took was designed to look like a rainbow on this map, in honor of the division s nickname. Made up of units from 26 states and the district of columbia, the rainbow was a unique attempt to combine units from every section of the nation and to get them to france as quickly as possible. Due to the nature of those changes, specifically the restructuring of brigades into autonomous modular brigades, debate has arisen as to whether brigades are units or formations. Aug 04, 2017 do not miss an opportunity to see this band play. The application period is from march 1st through july 15th of each year. The rainbow alludes to the shoulder sleeve insignia of the division and spanning across two fleursdelis symbolize their combat service in france during both world war i and world war ii. See more ideas about world war ii, world war and world war two. The big picture nd42 rainbow division national archives. The 42nd infantry rainbow division s history began with americas entry into world war one. To check the negative implications of this competition and to minimize the impact the mobilization could have. Please, no overseas bidders i do not ship overseas. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york.
To check the negative implications of this competition and to minimize the impact the mobilization could have upon any. Rdvf scholarships rainbow division veterans memorial. Return to table of contents rainbow division in 1917 men were selected from various units of the national guard of 26 states and the district of columbia to form a truly representative division with a view towards bringing the war home to the people. Please look at my other great military lots on ebay. To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, im or document to embed the entire object, paste this html in website to link to this page, paste this link in email, im or document to embed this page, paste this html in website. Wwii rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc.
Rabbi bohnen joined the us army in 1943 and served as assistant chaplain with the 42nd infantry division at the rank of major. Under revision as of 14 july 20 check back for updated list allies day 1917 by childe hassan click on category. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave echoed through the decades, through the. The story of the american expeditionary forces 11th aero squadron. Now offered for your consideration is this history and photo yearbook of the rainbow division the 42 nd infantry division of the united states army during wwii where they fought in germany. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple faq for additional information. American officers from the 42nd rainbow division browse. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave. The 42nd infantry division stretches like a rainbow from one end of america to the other. The 232nd infantry regiment was an infantry regiment of the united states army during world war ii. Rainbow division soldiers mobilized from their home states of. This history of the rainbow is a record of the accomplishments of every man who served in the division.
Redirected from nicknames of united states army divisions. Collins, then brigadier general, recalled the words of general macarthur on that. His son, bruce petersen, wrote in an email to me that as was the case with many ww ii veterans, he would rarely talk about the war, and then only give us very brief. The book has fantastic photos and is 62 pages long with a large fold out map. Jul 24, 2017 rainbow division that represented the united states formed in new york in august 1917. This is a history of the combat infantry, of the artillery, the reconnaissance troop, the medical and engineer battalions, the signal, ordnance and quartermaster companies and of the.
The 42nd served in world war i as a new york army national guard unit, but was activated for service in world war ii as a draftee division, in the army of the united states. Infanterie division was formed in grossborn borne sulinowo on 9 july 1943, when division a, formed from convalescents of the disbanded 298. War i that led to the creation of the rainbow division, as the 42nd infantry is. To anyone who was around in those exciting days of world war i, when the victorious troops were coming home to parades up fifth avenue and main streets throughout the country, the name 42nd rainbow division rings a bell loud and clear. Chateauthierry name rank never night number officers ohio organization ourcq passed patrol position rainbow rainbow division ralph reached regiment river road robert sector sent severe shell. Brown 167th alabama infantry regiment, colonel william p. It is the story of his contribution to the safety and security of the people of his country and of the world. Rainbow division that represented the united states formed in new york in august 1917. Pressing his retreat, you cleared the entire left bank of the meuse south of sedan, and then stormed the heights on the right bank and drove him into the plain beyond. Please examine the photos for the best visual description of condition. He led a passover seder in germany in march 1945 for over 1500 american soldiers of the 42nd rainbow infantry division and printed a haggadah for the seder, known as the rainbow haggadah.