9th Infantry Division (United States): Difference between revisions
''The Varsity'' was one of the more popular divisional nicknames during World War II. |
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*[http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/9thinfantry/index.html Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division] (WWII Stars and Stripes booklet) |
*[http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/9thinfantry/index.html Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division] (WWII Stars and Stripes booklet) |
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*[http://www.easy39th.com/home.php 9th Infantry Division Reenacted-California] |
*[http://www.easy39th.com/home.php 9th Infantry Division Reenacted-California] |
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* [http://www.wwiireels.com 9th Infantry Division Film from US National Archives] |
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[[Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army|009th Infantry Division, U.S.]] |
[[Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army|009th Infantry Division, U.S.]] |
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[[Category:World War II divisions of the United States|Infantry Division, U.S. 009th]] |
[[Category:World War II divisions of the United States|Infantry Division, U.S. 009th]] |
Revision as of 06:15, 25 October 2009
U.S. 9th Infantry Division | |
---|---|
Active | 1918–1919 1940–1947 1947–1962 1966–1969 1972–1991 |
Branch | Regular Army |
Type | Division |
Role | Infantry; Motorized Infantry |
Garrison/HQ | inactive |
Nickname(s) | Old Reliables, The Varsity, Octofoil, 9th ID, The Psychedelic Cookie {Vietnam) |
Engagements | World War II *Operation Torch *Tunisia Campaign *Sicily Ardennes Offensive Vietnam War |
Commanders | |
Current commander | N/A |
Notable commanders | Manton Eddy Jacob L. Devers John Shalikashvili |
Template:US Infantry The 9th Infantry Division was created as the 9th Division during World War I, but never deployed overseas. Later, the division was an important unit of the United States Army in World War II and the Vietnam War. It was also activated as a peacetime readiness unit from 1947 to 1962 at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Fort Carson, Colorado, and from 1972 to 1991 as an active-duty infantry division at Fort Lewis, Washington. Nicknamed the "Old Reliables," the division was eventually deactivated in December 1991.
World War II
- Activated: 1 August 1940
- Overseas: 11 December 1942 (Three organic combat teams participated in North African landings 8 November 1942)
- Campaigns: Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, North France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe
- Days of combat: 304
- Distinguished Unit Citations: 24
- Awards: Medal of Honor-4; Distinguished Service Cross (United States)-76; Distinguished Service Medal (Army)-3; Silver Star-2,282; Legion of Merit-19; DFC-2; Soldier's Medal-100; Bronze Star -6,593; Air Medal-129
- Commanders: Col . Charles B. Elliott (August 1940), Brig. Gen. Francis W. Honeycutt (September 1940), Maj. Gen. Jacob L. Devers (October 1940 – July 1941), Maj. Gen. Rene E. DeR. Hoyle (August 1941 – July 1942), Maj. Gen. Manton S. Eddy (August 1942 – August 1944), Maj. Gen. Louis A. Craig (August 1944 – May 1945), Brig. Gen. Jesse A. Ladd (May 1945 – February 1946), Maj. Gen. Horace L. McBride (March 1946 to inactivation), Maj. Gen. William W. Eagles (15 July 1947 – 26 April 1948), Maj. Gen. Arthur A. White (27 April 1948 – )
- Inactivated: 15 January 1947
- Reactivated: 15 July 1947 at Fort Dix, New Jersey
- Inactivated: 31 January 1962 at Fort Carson, Colorado
- Redesignated 1 February 1966 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 9th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Riley, Kansas
- Inactivated 25 September 1969 in Hawaii
- Activated: 21 April 1972 at Fort Lewis, Washington
- Inactivated: 15 December 1991 at Fort Lewis, Washington
Combat Chronicle
The 9th Infantry Division was among the first U.S. combat units to engage in offensive ground operations during World War II. (The others were the 32nd and the 41st in the Pacific on New Guinea, Carlson's Raiders on Makin Island, the 1st Marine and the Americal on the Guadalcanal, and, alongside the 9th in North Africa, were the 3rd Infantry and the 2nd Armored Divisions.) The 9th saw its first combat on 8 November 1942, when its elements landed at Algiers, Safi, and Port Lyautey, with the taking of Safi by the 3rd Battalion of the 47th Infantry Regiment standing as the first liberation of a city from Axis control in World War II.
With the collapse of French resistance on 11 November 1942, the division patrolled the Spanish Moroccan border. The 9th returned to Tunisia in February and engaged in small defensive actions and patrol activity. On 28 March 1943 it launched an attack in southern Tunisia and fought its way north into Bizerte, 7 May. In August the 9th landed at Palermo, Sicily, and took part in the capture of Randazzo and Messina. After returning to England for further training, the division hit Utah Beach on 10 June 1944 (D plus 4), cut off the Cotentin Peninsula, drove on to Cherbourg and penetrated the port's heavy defenses.
After a brief rest in July, the division took part in the St. Lo break-through and in August helped close the Falaise Gap. Turning east, the 9th crossed the Marne, 28 August, swept through Saarlautern, and in November and December held defensive positions from Monschau to Losheim. Moving north to Bergrath, Germany, it launched an attack toward the Roer, 10 December, taking Echtz and Schlich. From mid-December through January 1945, the division held defensive positions from Kalterherberg to Elsenborn. On 30 January the division jumped off from Monschau in a drive across the Roer and to the Rhine, crossing at Remagen, 7 March.
After breaking out of the Remagen bridgehead, the 9th assisted in the sealing and clearing of the Ruhr Pocket, then moved 150 miles (240 km) east to Nordhausen and attacked in the Harz Mountains, 14–20 April. On 21 April the Division relieved the 3d Armored Division along the Mulde River, near Dessau, and held that line until VE-day.
Assignments in the MTO
- previous: II Corps[1]
- May 1943: I Armored Corps
Assignments in the ETO
- 20 November 1943: First Army
- 25 November 1943: VII Corps
- 1 August 1944: VII Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group
- 26 October 1944: V Corps
- 6 December 1944: VII Corps
- 18 December 1944: V Corps
- 20 December 1944: Attached, with the entire First Army, to the British 21st Army Group
- 18 January 1945: V Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group
- 17 February 1945: III Corps
- 31 March 1945: VII Corps
- 4 April 1945: III Corps
- 14 April 1945: VII Corps
Order Of Battle
Command and Staff
- Commanding General
- 27 November 1943 Maj. Gen. Manton S. Eddy
- 19 August 1944 Maj. Gen. Louis A Craig
- 17 May 1945 Brig. Gen. Reese M. Howell (Acting)
- Assistant Division Commander
- 27 November 1943 Brig. Gen. Donald A. Stroh [Assumed command of 8th Infantry Division on 12 July 1944]
- 20 July 1944 Brig. Gen. James E. Wharton
- 12 August 1944 Brig. Gen. Kenneth Buchanan
- 17 September 1944 Col. James S. Rodwell
- 8 October 1944 Col. Hammond D. Birks
- 7 January 1945 Brig. Gen. Hammond D. Birks
- Artillery Commander
- 27 November 1943 Brig. Gen. Reese M. Howell
- Chief of Staff
- 27 November 1943 Col. George B. Barth
- 16 June 1944 Col. Jesse L. Gibney (Acting)
- 24 June 1944 Col. Noah M. Brinson
- 30 August 1944 Col. John G. Van Houten
- 9 October 1944 Lt. Col. James W. Lockett
- 12 October 1944 COL William C. Westmoreland
- Assistant Chief of Staff G-1
- 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. Frank R. Veale, Jr.
- 25 August 1944 Lt. Col. William L. Peverill
- 6 May 1945 Maj. Franklin G. Allen
- Assistant Chief of Staff G-2
- 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. Robert W. Robb
- 21 August 1944 Maj. Jack A. Houston
- 27 October 1944 Lt. Col. Jack A. Houston
- Assistant Chief of Staff G-3
- 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. Alver B. Sundin
- 1 April 1944 Lt. Col. Frederick C. Feil
- 10 December 1944 Maj. Reginald L. Riley (Acting)
- 6 January 1945 Lt. Col. Frederick C. Feil
- Assistant Chief of Staff G-4
- 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. George E. Pickett
- 11 April 1945 Maj. George R. Huff (Acting)
- Assistant Chief of Staff G-5
- 6 May 1944 Lt. Col. Asa W. K. Billings
- 9 December 1944 Maj. Charles O. Tingley
- Adjutant General
- 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. William L. Peverill
- 27 August 1944 Lt. Col. James R. Hutchison
- 14 April 1945 Maj. George E. Materewicz (Acting)
- Commanding Officer, 39th Infantry
- 27 November 1943 Col. Harry A. Flint
- 24 July 1944 Lt. Col. Van H. Bond
- 10 October 1944 Col. Van H. Bond
- Commanding Officer, 47th Infantry
- 27 November 1943 Col. George W. Smythe
- 6 March 1945 Lt. Col. Herman A. Schmidt (Acting)
- 13 March 1945 Col. Peter O. Ward
- Commanding Officer, 60th Infantry
- 27 November 1943 Col. Frederick J. de Rohan
- 2 July 1944 Col. Jesse L. Gibney
- 4 October 1944 Lt. Col. Donald C. Claymen
- 9 October 1944 Col. John G. Van Houten
Statistics
Chronology
- Activated 1 August 1940
- Arrived UK 27 November 1943
- Arrived Continent (D+4) 10 June 1944
- Entered Combat 14 June 1944 [First elements in combat in North Africa 8 November 1942; entire Division entered combat NATOUSA 26 March 1943]
- Days in Combat 264
Casualties
- (Tentative)
- Killed 4,581
- Wounded 16,961
- Missing 750
- Captured 868
- Battle Casualties 22,292
- Non-Battle Casualties 15,233
- Total Casualties 33,864
- Percent of T/O Strength 240.4
Campaigns
- Algeria-French Morocco
- Tunisia
- Sicily
- Normandy
- Northern France
- Ardennes
- Rhineland
- Central Europe
Individual Awards
Medal of Honor 4
- Distinguished Service Cross 86
- Legion of Merit 6
- Silver Star 1,789
- Soldier's Medal 55
- Bronze Star 5,518
- Distinguished Flying Cross 1
- Air Medal 124
Prisoners of War Taken
- Total: 130,000
Composition
- 39th Infantry
- 47th Infantry
- 60th Infantry
- 9th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
- 15th Engineer Combat Battalion
- 9th Medical Battalion
- 9th Division Artillery
- 26th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm Howitzer)
- 60th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm Howitzer)
- 84th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm Howitzer)
- 34th Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm Howitzer)
- Special Troops
- 709th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
- 9th Quartermaster Company
- 9th Signal Company
- Military Police Platoon
- Headquarters Company
- Band
Attachments
- Antiaircraft Artillery
- 376th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 13 June 1944 – 16 June 1944
- 376th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 16 June 1944 – 26 May 1945
- Battery B, 486th AAA Bn (SP) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
- Battery A, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
- Battery A, 129th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 14 July 1944 – 18 July 1944
- Battery C, 557th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 10 September 1944 – 8 October 1944
- Battery B, 438th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 20 September 1944 – 4 October 1944
- 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 20 December 1944 – 24 December 1944
- 2 btrys, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 24 December 1944 – 3 January 1945
- 2d Plat, Battery C, 226th AAA SL Bn 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- Armored
- 746th Tk Bn (- Co A) 13 June 1944 – 28 June 1944
- Hq, 6th Armd Go 15 June 1944 – 16 June 1944
- 746th Tk Bn 28 June 1944 – 10 July 1945
- CC A (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- …32d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- …3d Bn, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- …83d Armd Rcn Bn (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- …Cos A & C, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- …Co A, 703d TD Bn (SP) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- …Btry D, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- Co C, 745th Tk Bn 17 August – 18 August 1944
- Task Force King, CC B (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
- …1st Bn, 33d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
- …Co F, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
- …3d Plat, Rcn Co, 3d Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
- …2d Plat, Co B, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
- …2d Plat, Co B, 703d TD Bn (SP) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
- Co H, 32d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 13 October 1944 – 17 October 1944
- CC B (9th Armd Div) 3 March 1945 – 5 March 1945
- CC A (7th Armd Div) 7 March 1945 – 8 March 1945
- CC R (7th Armd Div) 8 March 1945
- CC B (9th Armd Div) 9 March 1945 – 12 March 1945
- CC A (7th Armd Div) 4 April 1945 – 6 April 1945
- Co B, 17th Tk Bn (7th Armd Div) 6 April 1945 – 8 April 1945
- CC A (3d Armd Div) 24 April 1945 – 25 April 1945
- CC R (3d Armd Div) 24 April 1945 – 25 April 1945
- Cavalry
- 4th Cav Gp 20 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
- 113th Cav Gp 10 July 1944
- 24th Cav Rcn Sq 10 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
- 4th Cav Gp 21 August 1944 – 23 August 1944
- 4th Cav Rcn Sq 7 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
- …1 plat, Co C, 297th Engr C Bn 7 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
- …1 plat, Co C, 635th TD Bn (T) 7 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
- 38th Cav Rcn Sq (- Tr A) 20 December 1944 – 27 January 1945
- …Tr A, 38th Cav Rcn Sq 8 January 1945 – 27 January 1945
- …Tr A, 102d Cav Rcn Sq 25 January 1945 – 27 January 1945
- …Co A, 47th Armd Inf Bn (5th Armd Div) 20 December 1944 – 27 January 1945
- …Co A, 10th Tk Bn (5th Armd Div) 20 December 1944 – 25 January 1945
- …Co A, 47th AT Bn 20 December 1944 – 20 January 1945
- …1 plat, Co A, 12th Engr C Bn 20 December 1944 – 4 January 1945
- …Co C, 893d TD Bn (SP) 20 December 1944 – 27 January 1945
- 1st Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 December 1944 – 14 January 1945
- 3d Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 December 1944 – 25 January 1945
- 2d Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 December 1944 – 26 January 1945
- 1st Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 25 January 1945 – 26 January 1945
- 32d Cav Rcn Sq (- 2 plats of Tr C) 27 March 1945 – 31 March 1945
- 32d Cav Rcn Sq 5 April 1945 – 9 April 1945
- …Co F, 18th Cav Rcn Sq 7 April 1945 – 9 April 1945
- 4th Cav Gp 17 April 1945 – 22 April 1945
- Chemical
- 87th Cml Bn (- 1 co) 16 June 1944 – 19 June 1944
- Co A, 87th Cml Bn 28 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
- Co B, 87th Cml Bn 28 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
- Cos C & D, 87th Cml Bn 20 July 1944 – 25 October 1944
- Co C, 87th Cml Bn 10 December 1944 – 18 December 1944
- Co A, 87th Cml Bn 27 January 1945 – 3 February 1945
- Co B, 87th Cml Bn 27 January 1945 – 16 February 1945
- 2 plats, Co C, 90th Cml Bn 18 February 1945 – 31 March 1945
- 1 plat, Co C, 90th Cml Bn 22 February 1945 – 31 March 1945
- Co B, 90th Cml Bn 16 March 1945 – 12 April 1945
- Co C, 90th Cml Bn 3 April 1945 – 12 April 1945
- Engineer
- Co A, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
- Co D, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 11 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- 297th Engr C Bn 24 September 1944 – 29 September 1944
- 1 co, 298th Engr C Bn 26 September 1944 – 29 September 1944
- Co A, 294th Engr C Bn 26 September 1944 – 29 September 1944
- 298th Engr C Bn 29 September 1944 – 30 September 1944
- 298th Engr C Bn 1 October 1944 – 19 October 1944
- 294th Engr C Bn 19 October 1944 – 25 October 1944
- Field Artillery
- Btrys A, B, C (- 1 plat each), 915th FA Bn (90th Div) (105 mm How) 15 June 1944 – 17 July 1944
- 957th FA Bn (155 mm How) 16 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
- 172d FA Bn (4.5" Gun) 19 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
- Hq, 188th FA Gp 19 June 1944 – 17 July 1944
- Btry C, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 28 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
- 54th Armd FA Bn (3d Armd Div) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
- 196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 9 July 1944 – 28 July 1944
- 690th FA Bn (105 mm How) 14 July 1944 – 28 July 1944
- 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 2 August 1944 – 6 August 1944
- 183d FA Bn (155 mm How) 6 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
- Btry A, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 6 August 1944 – 20 August 1944
- 951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 6 August 1944 – 20 August 1944
- 18th FA Bn (105 mm How) 20 August 1944 – 24 August 1944
- 951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 23 August 1944 – 25 August 1944
- Btry A, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 26 August 1944 – 31 August 1944
- Btry A, 951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 1 September 1944 – 5 September 1944
- Btry A, 13th FA Obsn Bn 1 September 1944 – 17 September 1944
- 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 5 September 1944 – 17 September 1944
- Hq & Hq Btry, 188th FA Gp 7 September 1944 – 18 September 1944
- Btry B, 991st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 13 September 1944
- 188th FA Bn (155 mm How) 19 September 1944 – 1 October 1944
- Btry C, 195th FA Bn (8" How) 28 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
- Hq & Hq Btry, 188th FA Gp 28 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
- 172d FA Bn (4.5" Gun) 28 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
- 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 29 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
- 1 plat, Btry A, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 7 December 1944 – 10 December 1944
- 186th FA Bn (155 mm How) 20 December 1944 – 26 January 1945
- 196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 20 December 1944 – 8 February 1945
- Btry B, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 27 January 1945 – 14 February 1945
- 76th FA Bn (105 mm How) 12 February 1945 – 17 February 1945
- 955th FA Bn (155 mm How) 13 February 1945 – 17 February 1945
- 400th Armd FA Bn 19 February 1945 – 28 February 1945
- 987th FA Bn (- Btrys A & C) (155 mm Gun) 19 February 1945 – 8 March 1945
- 254th FA Bn (155 mm How) 19 February 1945 – 31 March 1945
- 1 plat, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 24 March 1945 – 31 March 1945
- 489th Armd FA Bn (7th Armd Div) (105 mm How) 3 April 1945 – 6 April 1945
- 809th FA Bn (155 mm How) 4 April 1945 – 7 April 1945
- 965th FA Bn (155 mm How) 7 April 1945 – 10 April 1945
- 183d FA Bn (155 mm How) 24 April 1945 – 29 April 1945
- Infantry
- 359th Inf (90th Div) 15 June 1944 – 17 June 1944
- 1st Bn, 359th Inf (90th Div) 20 June 1944 – 21 June 1944
- 330th CT (83d Div) 14 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
- …Co B, 308th Engr C Bn (83d Div) 14 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
- …2 plats, Co A, 802d TD Bn (T) 14 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
- 8th CT (4th Div) 10 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
- …29th FA Bn (4th Div) (105 mm How) 10 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
- …Co B, 87th Cml Bn 10 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
- Prov Ranger Gp 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
- …Hq, Prov Ranger Gp 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
- …2d Ranger Inf Bn 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
- …5th Ranger Inf Bn 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
- …18th FA Bn (105 mm How) 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
- …196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
- 1st Bn, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 13 October 1944 – 17 October 1944
- 395th Inf (99th Div) 9 November 1944 – 13 November 1944
- 393d Inf (99th Div) 10 November 1944 – 14 November 1944
- 394th Inf (99th Div) 10 November 1944 – 14 November 1944
- 329th CT (83d Div) 13 December 1944
- 3d Bn, 395th Inf (99th Div) 20 December 1944 – 31 January 1945
- 2d Bn, 395th Inf (99th Div) 24 December 1944 – 5 January 1945
- 2d Ranger Inf Bn 6 February 1945 – 8 February 1945
- 309th Inf (78th Div) 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- 1st Bn, 311th Inf (78th Div) 10 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- 2d Bn, 23d Inf (2d Div) 12 February 1945
- 310th CT (- 1st Bn) (78th Div) 10 March 1945 – 14 March 1945
- 394th Inf (99th Div) 11 March 1945
- 395th Inf (99th Div) 11 March 1945 – 12 March 1945
- 52d Armd Inf Bn (9th Armd Div) 16 March 1945 – 18 March 1945
- 2d Bn, 413th Inf (104th Div) 15 April 1945 – 16 April 1945
- Tank Destroyer
- 607th TD Bn (T) (- 2 cos) 19 June 1944 – 20 June 1944
- 899th TD Bn (SP) (- 2 cos) 19 June 1944 – 20 June 1944
- 899th TD Bn (SP) 20 June 1944 – 24 July 1944
- Co A, 703d TD Bn (SP) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
- Co C, 703d TD Bn (SP) 11 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
- 629th TD Bn (SP) 16 August 1944 – 25 August 1944
- Co A, 612th TD Bn (SP) 20 December 1944 – 29 December 1944
- Co A, 801st TD Bn (SP) 29 December 1944 – 3 February 1945
- Co C, 644th TD Bn (SP) 3 January 1945 – 27 January 1945
- Co A, 814th TD Bn (SP) 6 April 1945 – 9 April 1945
Detachments
- (Attached to)
- Engineer
- 15th Engr C Bn 4th Div 8 August 1944 – 9 August 1944
- 1st Plat, Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 27 October 1944 – 11 November 1944
- Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 11 November 1944 – 1 December 1944
- Field Artillery
- 26th FA Bn 1st Div 4 August 1944 – 7 August 1944
- 26th FA Bn 4th Div 7 August 1944 – August 1944
- 60th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 13 August 1944 – 15 August 1944
- 84th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 27 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
- 84th FA Bn 1st Div 10 November 1944 – 1 December 1944
- 60th FA Bn 1st Div 6 December 1944 – 8 December 1944
- 60th FA Bn 104th Div 19 December 1944 – 22 December 1944
- 84th FA Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- 26th FA Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- 26th FA Bn 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
- 60th FA Bn 9th Armd Div 3 March 1945 – 6 March 1945
- 26th FA Bn 7th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 8 March 1945
- 84th FA Bn 9th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
- 26th FA Bn 78th Div 11 March 1945 – 16 March 1945
- Infantry
- 39th Inf 4th Div 11 June 1944 – 15 June 1944
- 1st Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 9 July 1944 – 11 July 1944
- 2d Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 10 July 1944 – 11 July 1944
- 2d Bn, 60th Inf 4th Div 1 August 1944 – 25 August 1944
- 39th Inf 1st Div 4 August 1944 – 7 August 1944
- 39th CT 4th Div 7 August 1944 – 9 August 1944
- …2d Plat, 9th Rcn Tr 4th Div 7 August 1944 – 9 August 1944
- 3d Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 13 August 1944 – 15 August 1944
- 2d & 3d Bns, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 15 August 1944 – 19 August 1944
- 1st Bn, 60th Inf 4th Cav Gp 3 September 1944 – 4 September 1944
- 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 8 September 1944 – 10 September 1944
- 2d Bn, 60th Inf 298th Engr C Bn 2 October 1944
- 47th CT 3d Armd Div 25 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
- …84th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 25 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
- …1 plat, Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 25 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
- 47th Inf 1st Div 10 November 1944 – 1 December 1944
- 2d Bn, 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 24 November 1944 – 26 November 1944
- 1st Bn, 60th Inf 102d Cav Gp 1 December 1944 – 4 December 1944
- 1st Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 10 December 1944 – 12 December 1944
- 47th Inf V Corps 17 December 1944 – 25 December 1944
- 60th Inf 104th Div 18 December 1944 – 21 December 1944
- 60th CT 2d Armd Div 22 December 1944 – 23 December 1944
- Co C, 1st Bn, 60th Inf 38th Cav Rcn Sq 20 January 1945 – 25 January 1945
- 39th CT 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- …26th FA Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- …1 plat, Co A, 15th Engr C Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
- 39th CT 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
- …26th FA Bn 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
- …1 plat, Co A, 15th Engr C Bn 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
- 60th CT 9th Armd Div 4 March 1945 – 5 March 1945
- 39th Inf 7th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 8 March 1945
- 47th CT 9th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
- 1st Bn, 60th Inf 9th Armd Div 8 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
- 60th CT (- 1st Bn) 7th Armd Div 8 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
- 39th Inf 78th Div 11 March 1945 – 16 March 1945
- 47th Inf Task Force Birks 4 April 1945 – 9 April 1945
- 3d Bn, 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 11 April 1945 – 25 April 1945
- 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 22 April 1945 – 24 April 1945
Assignment and Attachment to Higher Units
- DATE CORPS ARMY ARMY GROUP
- Assigned Attached Assigned Attached
- 20 November 1943 First ETOUSA
- 25 November 1943 VII First
- 1 August 1944 VII First 12th
- 26 October 1944 V First 12th
- 6 December 1944 VII First 12th
- 18 December 1944 V First 12th
- 20 December 1944 V First 12th Br 21st
- 18 January 1945 V First 12th (-)
- 17 February 1945 III First 12th
- 31 March 1945 VII First 12th
- 4 April 1945 III First 12th
- 14 April 1945 VII First 12th
(-) Indicates relieved from assignment.
Command Posts
- DATE TOWN REGION COUNTRY
- 27 November 1943 Winchester Hampshire England
- 3 June 1944 Hursley Camp Hampshire England
- 7 June 1944 Southampton Hampshire England
- 10 June 1944 Utah Beach (Tare Green) Manche France
- 11 June 1944 Flauville (vic) Manche France
- 13 June 1944 Plaux (vic) Manche France
- 16 June 1944 Le Honet (vic) Manche France
- 17 June 1944 St-Saver-le-Vicomte (vic) Manche France
- 18 June 1944 St-Jacques-de-Nehou (vic) Manche France
- 20 June 1944 Quetto Manche France
- 22 June 1944 Benoiville (1 mi NE) Manche France
- 24 June 1944 Vasteville (2 mi E) Manche France
- 2 July 1944 Flamanville (3 mi S) Manche France
- 9 July 1944 Carentan (61 mi SE) Manche France
- 13 July 1944 St-Jean-de-Daye (11 mi NW) Manche France
- 21 July 1944 Le Champs-de-Losque (11 mi N) Manche France
- 28 July 1944 La Chapelle-en-Juger (H mi SW) Manche France
- 30 July 1944 Marigny (11 mi SE) Manche France
- 2 August 1944 La Vanterie (3 mi SE) Manche France
- 5 August 1944 St-Aubin-des-Bois Calvados France
- 8 August 1944 La Tuilerie (1 mi SE) Calvados France
- 9 August 1944 Forien Manche France
- 13 August 1944 Chatillon-sur-Colmomt (2H mi SE) Mayenne France
- 15 August 1944 Couptrain (21 mi NE) Mayenne France
- 17 August 1944 Le Grais (1 mi SE) Orne France
- 21 August 1944 Mortange-au-Perche (2 mi NE) Orne France
- 24 August 1944 La Ferte Vidame (2H mi SE) Eure-et-Loir France
- 25 August 1944 Arpajon (1 mi SE) Seine-et-Oise France
- 26 August 1944 Brinville Seine-et-Marne France
- 27 August 1944 Guignes (1 mi SE) Seine-et-Marne France
- 28 August 1944 St-Augustin (1 mi NW) Seine-et-Marne France
- 29 August 1944 Marigny-en-Orxois Aisne France
- 30 August 1944 Cerseuil Aisne France
- 31 August 1944 Hannogne Ardennes France
- 1 September 1944 Plomion Ardennes France
- 3 September 1944 Cerfontaine Namur Belgium
- 4 September 1944 Anthee (4 mi SE) Namur Belgium
- 8 September 1944 St-Forntaine (4 mi E) Namur Belgium
- 9 September 1944 Esneux (3 mi E) Namur Belgium
- September 11, 1944 Verviers (3 mi S) Namur Belgium
- 13 September 1944 Eupen (21 mi SE) Namur Belgium
- 14 September 1944 Roetgen (1 mi S) Rhineland Germany
- 4 October 1944 Zweifall Rhineland Germany
- 26 October 1944 Elsenborn (2 mi NW) Liege Belgium
- 5 November 1944 Butgenbach Liege Belgium
- 11 November 1944 Elsenborn (2 mi NW) Liege Belgium
- 5 December 1944 Nothberg Rhineland Germany
- 19 December 1944 Sourbrodt Liege Belgium
- 21 December 1944 Eupen (5 mi SE) Liege Belgium
- 26 December 1944 Eupen Liege Belgium
- 28 January 1945 Kalterherberg Rhineland Germany
- 4 February 1945 Hofen Rhineland Germany
- 5 February 1945 Einruhr Rhineland Germany
- 8 February 1945 Strauch Rhineland Germany
- 12 February 1945 Einruhr Rhineland Germany
- 18 February 1945 Hurtgen Rhineland Germany
- 28 February 1945 Rath Rhineland Germany
- 1 March 1945 Leversbach Rhineland Germany
- 2 March 1945 Muddersheim Rhineland Germany
- 6 March 1945 Lommeraum Rhineland Germany
- 7 March 1945 Niel Rhineland Germany
- 8 March 1945 Erpel Rhineland Germany
- 20 March 1945 Kretzhaus Rhineland Germany
- 26 March 1945 Obersteinbach Hessen-Nassau Germany
- 27 March 1945 Mittlehofen Hessen-Nassau Germany
- 28 March 1945 Kirchvers Hessen-Nassau Germany
- 31 March 1945 Schwarzenau Westphalia Germany
- 2 April 1945 Hallenberg Westphalia Germany
- 6 April 1945 Niedersfeld Westphalia Germany
- 13 April 1945 Uftrungen Saxony Germany
- 17 April 1945 Wippra Saxony Germany
- 19 April 1945 Pansfelde Saxony Germany
- 24 April 1945 Kothen Saxony Germany
Vietnam War
In the movie Forrest Gump, the eponymous main character was a member of the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam.
9th Infantry Division (Motorized)
Following the Vietnam War the division was stationed at Fort Lewis Washington until its inactivation in 1992. Beginning in the mid-1980s the division served as the high-technology test-bed for the army. This led to the division testing the concept of "motorized infantry," designed to fill the gap between light infantry and heavy mechanized forces. The idea was to create lighter, mobile units capable of rapid deployment with far less aircraft than a heavier mechanized unit. Motorized infantry doctrine concentrated on effectiveness in desert warfare.
By 1989 the division had fielded two complete brigades of motorized infantry in battalions designated as either "Motorized" or "Attack." Motorized battalions traveled in the new High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and generally fought as traditional light infantry once engaged. Attack battalions utilized the Fast Attack Vehicles (later re-designated the Desert Patrol Vehicle), first developed at Fort Lewis. Essentially a Volkswagen- engined dune buggy mounted with either a 40mm Mk 19 grenade launcher or .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun, the FAV was designed to provide highly mobile firepower that could attack the flanks of heavier mechanized units. Some variants also mounted TOW missiles. All of these weapons systems were attached to the FAV by a mount designed to break away if the vehicle rolled over, which they were prone to do. The FAVs were problematic at best and were eventually replaced by various versions of the HMMWV.
The 9th Infantry Division (MTZ) tested motorized infantry doctrine at the Yakima Firing Center in Eastern Washington, at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin California and in Korea during the annual Team Spirit exercise. While the motorized units performed well they were vulnerable to heavier mechanized forces, particularly if forced to stand and fight. They were also extremely vulnerable to indirect (artillery) fires.
At the end of the Cold War the division was identified for inactivation. By the time of the First Gulf War one brigade was nearly inactivated. However the 3rd Brigade was still at full strength. The need for mobile forces that could be more easily deployed would seem to have never been greater. However the brigade was not deployed to the Middle East, instead providing soldiers and equipment to fill out deploying units from other divisions. While the rest of the army went to war, the 9th ID focused on inactivation and training National Guard and Army Reserve units deploying to the Persian Gulf.
Inactivation
The division was the first to undergo full deactivation following the end of the Cold War. Army leadership at first decided that deactivating units would turn in all of their equipment at "10/20" standard - in ready and reusable condition. The division struggled to meet this standard. It required both unrealistic work on the part of the division's soldiers and very high costs in repair parts. While the remaining 9th ID soldiers were ultimately successful, later deactivating units were not required to attain this difficult goal.
The existing 3rd Brigade did not deactivate and was instead re-designated the 199th Light Infantry Brigade and assigned directly to I Corps. The 199th was later re-designated the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light) and was transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana.
By December 1991 the final units of the 9th Infantry Division had cased its colors, ending over 50 years of valorous service.
References
- The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at CMH
External links
- 9th Infantry Division Association
- 9th Infantry Division Web Pages
- 9th Inf Div Society Org web Pages
- 9th INFANTRY DIVISION World War II Order of Battle
- 60th Infantry Regiment
- Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division (WWII Stars and Stripes booklet)
- 9th Infantry Division Reenacted-California
- 9th Infantry Division Film from US National Archives