9th Infantry Division (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=U.S. 9th Infantry Division


caption=9th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
countryUnited States of America
allegiance=
type=Division
branch=Regular Army
dates=1940-1947 1947-1962 1966-1969 1972-1991
specialization=Infantry; Motorized Infantry
command_structure=
size=
current_commander=N/A
garrison=inactive
ceremonial_chief=
nickname="Old Reliables"
"Octofoil"
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=World War II
*Operation Torch
*Tunisia Campaign
*Sicily
Ardennes Offensive Vietnam War
notable_commanders=Manton Eddy Jacob L. Devers
anniversaries=US Infantry
previous=8th Infantry Division ("Inactive")
next=10th Mountain Division The 9th Infantry 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 inactivated 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 saw its first combat in the North African invasion, 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, 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 [ [http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/9thinfantry/index.html Lone Sentry: Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division - WWII G.I. Stories Booklet ] ]
*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 Nov 43 Maj. Gen. Manton S. Eddy
#19 Aug 44 Maj. Gen. Louis A Craig
#17 May 45 Brig. Gen. Reese M. Howell (Acting)

*Assistant Division Commander

#27 Nov 43 Brig. Gen. Donald A. Stroh [Assumed command of 8th Infantry Division on 12 July 1944]
#20 Jul 44 Brig. Gen. James E. Wharton
#12 Aug 44 Brig. Gen. Kenneth Buchanan
#17 Sep 44 Col. James S. Rodwell
#8 Oct 44 Col. Hammond D. Birks
#7 Jan 45 Brig. Gen. Hammond D. Birks

*Artillery Commander

#27 Nov 43 Brig. Gen. Reese M. Howell

*Chief of Staff

#27 Nov 43 Col. George B. Barth
#16 Jun 44 Col. Jesse L. Gibney (Acting)
#24 Jun 44 Col. Noah M. Brinson
#30 Aug 44 Col. John G. Van Houten
#9 Oct 44 Lt. Col. James W. Lockett
#12 Oct 44 COL William C. Westmoreland

*Assistant Chief of Staff G-1

#27 Nov 43 Lt. Col. Frank R. Veale, Jr.
#25 Aug 44 Lt. Col. William L. Peverill
#6 May 45 Maj. Franklin G. Allen

*Assistant Chief of Staff G-2

#27 Nov 43 Lt. Col. Robert W. Robb
#21 Aug 44 Maj. Jack A. Houston
#27 Oct 44 Lt. Col. Jack A. Houston

*Assistant Chief of Staff G-3

#27 Nov 43 Lt. Col. Alver B. Sundin
#1 Apr 44 Lt. Col. Frederick C. Feil
#10 Dec 44 Maj. Reginald L. Riley (Acting)
#6 Jan 45 Lt. Col. Frederick C. Feil

*Assistant Chief of Staff G-4

#27 Nov 43 Lt. Col. George E. Pickett
#11 Apr 45 Maj. George R. Huff (Acting)

*Assistant Chief of Staff G-5

#6 May 44 Lt. Col. Asa W. K. Billings
#9 Dec 44 Maj. Charles O. Tingley

*Adjutant General

#27 Nov 43 Lt. Col. William L. Peverill
#27 Aug 44 Lt. Col. James R. Hutchison
#14 Apr 45 Maj. George E. Materewicz (Acting)

*Commanding Officer, 39th Infantry

#27 Nov 43 Col. Harry A. Flint
#24 Jul 44 Lt. Col. Van H. Bond
#10 Oct 44 Col. Van H. Bond

*Commanding Officer, 47th Infantry

#27 Nov 43 Col. George W. Smythe
#6 Mar 45 Lt. Col. Herman A. Schmidt (Acting)
#13 Mar 45 Col. Peter O. Ward

*Commanding Officer, 60th Infantry

#27 Nov 43 Col. Frederick J. de Rohan
#2 Jul 44 Col. Jesse L. Gibney
#4 Oct 44 Lt. Col. Donald C. Claymen
#9 Oct 44 Col. John G. Van Houten

tatistics

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 Jun 44-16 Jun 44
#376th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 16 Jun 44-26 May 45
#Battery B, 486th AAA Bn (SP) 1 Jul 44-31 Jul 44
#Battery A, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 1 Jul 44-31 Jul 44
#Battery A, 129th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 14 Jul 44-18 Jul 44
#Battery C, 557th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 10 Sep 44-8 Oct 44
#Battery B, 438th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 20 Sep 44-4 Oct 44
#413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 20 Dec 44-24 Dec 44
#2 btrys, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 24 Dec 44-3 Jan 45
#2d Plat, Battery C, 226th AAA SL Bn 8 Feb 45-12 Feb 45

*Armored

#746th Tk Bn (- Co A) 13 Jun 44-28 Jun 44
#Hq, 6th Armd Go 15 Jun 44-16 Jun 44
#746th Tk Bn 28 Jun 44-10 Jul 45
#CC A (3d Armd Div) 10 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#…32d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 10 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#…3d Bn, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 10 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#…83d Armd Rcn Bn (3d Armd Div) 10 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#…Cos A & C, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 10 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#…Co A, 703d TD Bn (SP) 10 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#…Btry D, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 10 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#Co C, 745th Tk Bn 17 Aug 4-18 Aug 44
#Task Force King, CC B (3d Armd Div) 5 Sep 44-6 Sep 44
#…1st Bn, 33d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 5 Sep 44-6 Sep 44
#…Co F, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 5 Sep 44-6 Sep 44
#…3d Plat, Rcn Co, 3d Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 5 Sep 44-6 Sep 44
#…2d Plat, Co B, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 5 Sep 44-6 Sep 44
#…2d Plat, Co B, 703d TD Bn (SP) 5 Sep 44-6 Sep 44
#Co H, 32d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 13 Oct 44-17 Oct 44
#CC B (9th Armd Div) 3 Mar 45-5 Mar 45
#CC A (7th Armd Div) 7 Mar 45-8 Mar 45
#CC R (7th Armd Div) 8 Mar 45
#CC B (9th Armd Div) 9 Mar 45-12 Mar 45
#CC A (7th Armd Div) 4 Apr 45-6 Apr 45
#Co B, 17th Tk Bn (7th Armd Div) 6 Apr 45-8 Apr 45
#CC A (3d Armd Div) 24 Apr 45-25 Apr 45
#CC R (3d Armd Div) 24 Apr 45-25 Apr 45

*Cavalry

#4th Cav Gp 20 Jun 44-1 Jul 44
#113th Cav Gp 10 Jul 44
#24th Cav Rcn Sq 10 Jul 44-17 Jul 44
#4th Cav Gp 21 Aug 44-23 Aug 44
#4th Cav Rcn Sq 7 Dec 44-13 Dec 44
#…1 plat, Co C, 297th Engr C Bn 7 Dec 44-13 Dec 44
#…1 plat, Co C, 635th TD Bn (T) 7 Dec 44-13 Dec 44
#38th Cav Rcn Sq (- Tr A) 20 Dec 44-27 Jan 45
#…Tr A, 38th Cav Rcn Sq 8 Jan 45-27 Jan 45
#…Tr A, 102d Cav Rcn Sq 25 Jan 45-27 Jan 45
#…Co A, 47th Armd Inf Bn (5th Armd Div) 20 Dec 44-27 Jan 45
#…Co A, 10th Tk Bn (5th Armd Div) 20 Dec 44-25 Jan 45
#…Co A, 47th AT Bn 20 Dec 44-20 Jan 45
#…1 plat, Co A, 12th Engr C Bn 20 Dec 44-4 Jan 45
#…Co C, 893d TD Bn (SP) 20 Dec 44-27 Jan 45
#1st Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 Dec 44-14 Jan 45
#3d Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 Dec 44-25 Jan 45
#2d Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 Dec 44-26 Jan 45
#1st Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 25 Jan 45-26 Jan 45
#32d Cav Rcn Sq (- 2 plats of Tr C) 27 Mar 45-31 Mar 45
#32d Cav Rcn Sq 5 Apr 45-9 Apr 45
#…Co F, 18th Cav Rcn Sq 7 Apr 45-9 Apr 45
#4th Cav Gp 17 Apr 45-22 Apr 45

*Chemical

#87th Cml Bn (- 1 co) 16 Jun 44-19 Jun 44
#Co A, 87th Cml Bn 28 Jun 44-1 Jul 44
#Co B, 87th Cml Bn 28 Jun 44-1 Jul 44
#Cos C & D, 87th Cml Bn 20 Jul 44-25 Oct 44
#Co C, 87th Cml Bn 10 Dec 44-18 Dec 44
#Co A, 87th Cml Bn 27 Jan 45-3 Feb 45
#Co B, 87th Cml Bn 27 Jan 45-16 Feb 45
#2 plats, Co C, 90th Cml Bn 18 Feb 45-31 Mar 45
#1 plat, Co C, 90th Cml Bn 22 Feb 45-31 Mar 45
#Co B, 90th Cml Bn 16 Mar 45-12 Apr 45
#Co C, 90th Cml Bn 3 Apr 45-12 Apr 45

*Engineer

#Co A, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 1 Jul 44-31 Jul 44
#Co D, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 11 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#297th Engr C Bn 24 Sep 44-29 Sep 44
#1 co, 298th Engr C Bn 26 Sep 44-29 Sep 44
#Co A, 294th Engr C Bn 26 Sep 44-29 Sep 44
#298th Engr C Bn 29 Sep 44-30 Sep 44
#298th Engr C Bn 1 Oct 44-19 Oct 44
#294th Engr C Bn 19 Oct 44-25 Oct 44

*Field Artillery

#Btrys A, B, C (- 1 plat each), 915th FA Bn (90th Div) (105 mm How) 15 Jun 44-17 Jul 44
#957th FA Bn (155 mm How) 16 Jun 44-1 Jul 44
#172d FA Bn (4.5" Gun) 19 Jun 44-1 Jul 44
#Hq, 188th FA Gp 19 Jun 44-17 Jul 44
#Btry C, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 28 Jun 44-1 Jul 44
#54th Armd FA Bn (3d Armd Div) 1 Jul 44-31 Jul 44
#196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 9 Jul 44-28 Jul 44
#690th FA Bn (105 mm How) 14 Jul 44-28 Jul 44
#987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 2 Aug 44-6 Aug 44
#183d FA Bn (155 mm How) 6 Aug 44-11 Aug 44
#Btry A, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 6 Aug 44-20 Aug 44
#951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 6 Aug 44-20 Aug 44
#18th FA Bn (105 mm How) 20 Aug 44-24 Aug 44
#951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 23 Aug 44-25 Aug 44
#Btry A, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 26 Aug 44-31 Aug 44
#Btry A, 951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 1 Sep 44-5 Sep 44
#Btry A, 13th FA Obsn Bn 1 Sep 44-17 Sep 44
#981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 5 Sep 44-17 Sep 44
#Hq & Hq Btry, 188th FA Gp 7 Sep 44-18 Sep 44
#Btry B, 991st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 13 Sep 44
#188th FA Bn (155 mm How) 19 Sep 44-1 Oct 44
#Btry C, 195th FA Bn (8" How) 28 Sep 44-23 Oct 44
#Hq & Hq Btry, 188th FA Gp 28 Sep 44-23 Oct 44
#172d FA Bn (4.5" Gun) 28 Sep 44-23 Oct 44
#981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 29 Sep 44-23 Oct 44
#1 plat, Btry A, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 7 Dec 44-10 Dec 44
#186th FA Bn (155 mm How) 20 Dec 44-26 Jan 45
#196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 20 Dec 44-8 Feb 45
#Btry B, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 27 Jan 45-14 Feb 45
#76th FA Bn (105 mm How) 12 Feb 45-17 Feb 45
#955th FA Bn (155 mm How) 13 Feb 45-17 Feb 45
#400th Armd FA Bn 19 Feb 45-28 Feb 45
#987th FA Bn (- Btrys A & C) (155 mm Gun) 19 Feb 45-8 Mar 45
#254th FA Bn (155 mm How) 19 Feb 45-31 Mar 45
#1 plat, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 24 Mar 45-31 Mar 45
#489th Armd FA Bn (7th Armd Div) (105 mm How) 3 Apr 45-6 Apr 45
#809th FA Bn (155 mm How) 4 Apr 45-7 Apr 45
#965th FA Bn (155 mm How) 7 Apr 45-10 Apr 45
#183d FA Bn (155 mm How) 24 Apr 45-29 Apr 45

*Infantry

#359th Inf (90th Div) 15 Jun 44-17 Jun 44
#1st Bn, 359th Inf (90th Div) 20 Jun 44-21 Jun 44
#330th CT (83d Div) 14 Jul 44-17 Jul 44
#…Co B, 308th Engr C Bn (83d Div) 14 Jul 44-17 Jul 44
#…2 plats, Co A, 802d TD Bn (T) 14 Jul 44-17 Jul 44
#8th CT (4th Div) 10 Aug 44-11 Aug 44
#…29th FA Bn (4th Div) (105 mm How) 10 Aug 44-11 Aug 44
#…Co B, 87th Cml Bn 10 Aug 44-11 Aug 44
#Prov Ranger Gp 13 Aug 44-14 Aug 44
#…Hq, Prov Ranger Gp 13 Aug 44-14 Aug 44
#…2d Ranger Inf Bn 13 Aug 44-14 Aug 44
#…5th Ranger Inf Bn 13 Aug 44-14 Aug 44
#…18th FA Bn (105 mm How) 13 Aug 44-14 Aug 44
#…196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 13 Aug 44-14 Aug 44
#1st Bn, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 13 Oct 44-17 Oct 44
#395th Inf (99th Div) 9 Nov 44-13 Nov 44
#393d Inf (99th Div) 10 Nov 44-14 Nov 44
#394th Inf (99th Div) 10 Nov 44-14 Nov 44
#329th CT (83d Div) 13 Dec 44
#3d Bn, 395th Inf (99th Div) 20 Dec 44-31 Jan 45
#2d Bn, 395th Inf (99th Div) 24 Dec 44-5 Jan 45
#2d Ranger Inf Bn 6 Feb 45-8 Feb 45
#309th Inf (78th Div) 8 Feb 45-12 Feb 45
#1st Bn, 311th Inf (78th Div) 10 Feb 45-12 Feb 45
#2d Bn, 23d Inf (2d Div) 12 Feb 45
#310th CT (- 1st Bn) (78th Div) 10 Mar 45-14 Mar 45
#394th Inf (99th Div) 11 Mar 45
#395th Inf (99th Div) 11 Mar 45-12 Mar 45
#52d Armd Inf Bn (9th Armd Div) 16 Mar 45-18 Mar 45
#2d Bn, 413th Inf (104th Div) 15 Apr 45-16 Apr 45

*Tank Destroyer

#607th TD Bn (T) (- 2 cos) 19 Jun 44-20 Jun 44
#899th TD Bn (SP) (- 2 cos) 19 Jun 44-20 Jun 44
#899th TD Bn (SP) 20 Jun 44-24 Jul 44
#Co A, 703d TD Bn (SP) 1 Jul 44-31 Jul 44
#Co C, 703d TD Bn (SP) 11 Jul 44-16 Jul 44
#629th TD Bn (SP) 16 Aug 44-25 Aug 44
#Co A, 612th TD Bn (SP) 20 Dec 44-29 Dec 44
#Co A, 801st TD Bn (SP) 29 Dec 44-3 Feb 45
#Co C, 644th TD Bn (SP) 3 Jan 45-27 Jan 45
#Co A, 814th TD Bn (SP) 6 Apr 45-9 Apr 45

Detachments

*(Attached to)

*Engineer

#15th Engr C Bn 4th Div 8 Aug 44-9 Aug 44
#1st Plat, Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 27 Oct 44-11 Nov 44
#Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 11 Nov 44-1 Dec 44

*Field Artillery

#26th FA Bn 1st Div 4 Aug 44-7 Aug 44
#26th FA Bn 4th Div 7 Aug 44- Aug 44
#60th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 13 Aug 44-15 Aug 44
#84th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 27 Oct 44-10 Nov 44
#84th FA Bn 1st Div 10 Nov 44-1 Dec 44
#60th FA Bn 1st Div 6 Dec 44-8 Dec 44
#60th FA Bn 104th Div 19 Dec 44-22 Dec 44
#84th FA Bn 2d Div 8 Feb 45-12 Feb 45
#26th FA Bn 2d Div 8 Feb 45-12 Feb 45
#26th FA Bn 2d Div 17 Feb 45-22 Feb 45
#60th FA Bn 9th Armd Div 3 Mar 45-6 Mar 45
#26th FA Bn 7th Armd Div 7 Mar 45-8 Mar 45
#84th FA Bn 9th Armd Div 7 Mar 45-9 Mar 45
#26th FA Bn 78th Div 11 Mar 45-16 Mar 45

*Infantry

#39th Inf 4th Div 11 Jun 44-15 Jun 44
#1st Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 9 Jul 44-11 Jul 44
#2d Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 10 Jul 44-11 Jul 44
#2d Bn, 60th Inf 4th Div 1 Aug 44-25 Aug 44
#39th Inf 1st Div 4 Aug 44-7 Aug 44
#39th CT 4th Div 7 Aug 44-9 Aug 44
#…2d Plat, 9th Rcn Tr 4th Div 7 Aug 44-9 Aug 44
#3d Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 13 Aug 44-15 Aug 44
#2d & 3d Bns, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 15 Aug 44-19 Aug 44
#1st Bn, 60th Inf 4th Cav Gp 3 Sep 44-4 Sep 44
#47th Inf 3d Armd Div 8 Sep 44-10 Sep 44
#2d Bn, 60th Inf 298th Engr C Bn 2 Oct 44
#47th CT 3d Armd Div 25 Oct 44-10 Nov 44
#…84th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 25 Oct 44-10 Nov 44
#…1 plat, Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 25 Oct 44-10 Nov 44
#47th Inf 1st Div 10 Nov 44-1 Dec 44
#2d Bn, 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 24 Nov 44-26 Nov 44
#1st Bn, 60th Inf 102d Cav Gp 1 Dec 44-4 Dec 44
#1st Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 10 Dec 44-12 Dec 44
#47th Inf V Corps 17 Dec 44-25 Dec 44
#60th Inf 104th Div 18 Dec 44-21 Dec 44
#60th CT 2d Armd Div 22 Dec 44-23 Dec 44
#Co C, 1st Bn, 60th Inf 38th Cav Rcn Sq 20 Jan 45-25 Jan 45
#39th CT 2d Div 8 Feb 45-12 Feb 45
#…26th FA Bn 2d Div 8 Feb 45-12 Feb 45
#…1 plat, Co A, 15th Engr C Bn 2d Div 8 Feb 45-12 Feb 45
#39th CT 2d Div 17 Feb 45-22 Feb 45
#…26th FA Bn 2d Div 17 Feb 45-22 Feb 45
#…1 plat, Co A, 15th Engr C Bn 2d Div 17 Feb 45-22 Feb 45
#60th CT 9th Armd Div 4 Mar 45-5 Mar 45
#39th Inf 7th Armd Div 7 Mar 45-8 Mar 45
#47th CT 9th Armd Div 7 Mar 45-9 Mar 45
#1st Bn, 60th Inf 9th Armd Div 8 Mar 45-9 Mar 45
#60th CT (- 1st Bn) 7th Armd Div 8 Mar 45-9 Mar 45
#39th Inf 78th Div 11 Mar 45-16 Mar 45
#47th Inf Task Force Birks 4 Apr 45-9 Apr 45
#3d Bn, 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 11 Apr 45-25 Apr 45
#60th Inf 3d Armd Div 22 Apr 45-24 Apr 45

Assignment and Attachment to Higher Units

*DATE CORPS ARMY ARMY GROUP
*Assigned Attached Assigned Attached
#20 Nov 43 First ETOUSA
#25 Nov 43 VII First
#1 Aug 44 VII First 12th
#26 Oct 44 V First 12th
#6 Dec 44 VII First 12th
#18 Dec 44 V First 12th
#20 Dec 44 V First 12th Br 21st
#18 Jan 45 V First 12th (-)
#17 Feb 45 III First 12th
#31 Mar 45 VII First 12th
#4 Apr 45 III First 12th
#14 Apr 45 VII First 12th

(-) Indicates relieved from assignment.

Command Posts

*DATE TOWN REGION COUNTRY
#27 Nov 43 Winchester Hampshire England
#3 Jun 44 Hursley Camp Hampshire England
#7 Jun 44 Southampton Hampshire England
#10 Jun 44 Utah Beach (Tare Green) Manche France
#11 Jun 44 Flauville (vic) Manche France
#13 Jun 44 Plaux (vic) Manche France
#16 Jun 44 Le Honet (vic) Manche France
#17 Jun 44 St-Saver-le-Vicomte (vic) Manche France
#18 Jun 44 St-Jacques-de-Nehou (vic) Manche France
#20 Jun 44 Quetto Manche France
#22 Jun 44 Benoiville (1 mi NE) Manche France
#24 Jun 44 Vasteville (2 mi E) Manche France
#2 Jul 44 Flamanville (3 mi S) Manche France
#9 Jul 44 Carentan (61 mi SE) Manche France
#13 Jul 44 St-Jean-de-Daye (11 mi NW) Manche France
#21 Jul 44 Le Champs-de-Losque (11 mi N) Manche France
#28 Jul 44 La Chapelle-en-Juger (H mi SW) Manche France
#30 Jul 44 Marigny (11 mi SE) Manche France
#2 Aug 44 La Vanterie (3 mi SE) Manche France
#5 Aug 44 St-Aubin-des-Bois Calvados France
#8 Aug 44 La Tuilerie (1 mi SE) Calvados France
#9 Aug 44 Forien Manche France
#13 Aug 44 Chatillon-sur-Colmomt (2H mi SE) Mayenne France
#15 Aug 44 Couptrain (21 mi NE) Mayenne France
#17 Aug 44 Le Grais (1 mi SE) Orne France
#21 Aug 44 Mortange-au-Perche (2 mi NE) Orne France
#24 Aug 44 La Ferte Vidame (2H mi SE) Eure-et-Loir France
#25 Aug 44 Arpajon (1 mi SE) Seine-et-Oise France
#26 Aug 44 Brinville Seine-et-Marne France
#27 Aug 44 Guignes (1 mi SE) Seine-et-Marne France
#28 Aug 44 St-Augustin (1 mi NW) Seine-et-Marne France
#29 Aug 44 Marigny-en-Orxois Aisne France
#30 Aug 44 Cerseuil Aisne France
#31 Aug 44 Hannogne Ardennes France
#1 Sep 44 Plomion Ardennes France
#3 Sep 44 Cerfontaine Namur Belgium
#4 Sep 44 Anthee (4 mi SE) Namur Belgium
#8 Sep 44 St-Forntaine (4 mi E) Namur Belgium
#9 Sep 44 Esneux (3 mi E) Namur Belgium
#11 Sep 44 Verviers (3 mi S) Namur Belgium
#13 Sep 44 Eupen (21 mi SE) Namur Belgium
#14 Sep 44 Roetgen (1 mi S) Rhineland Germany
#4 Oct 44 Zweifall Rhineland Germany
#26 Oct 44 Elsenborn (2 mi NW) Liege Belgium
#5 Nov 44 Butgenbach Liege Belgium
#11 Nov 44 Elsenborn (2 mi NW) Liege Belgium
#5 Dec 44 Nothberg Rhineland Germany
#19 Dec 44 Sourbrodt Liege Belgium
#21 Dec 44 Eupen (5 mi SE) Liege Belgium
#26 Dec 44 Eupen Liege Belgium
#28 Jan 45 Kalterherberg Rhineland Germany
#4 Feb 45 Hofen Rhineland Germany
#5 Feb 45 Einruhr Rhineland Germany
#8 Feb 45 Strauch Rhineland Germany
#12 Feb 45 Einruhr Rhineland Germany
#18 Feb 45 Hurtgen Rhineland Germany
#28 Feb 45 Rath Rhineland Germany
#1 Mar 45 Leversbach Rhineland Germany
#2 Mar 45 Muddersheim Rhineland Germany
#6 Mar 45 Lommeraum Rhineland Germany
#7 Mar 45 Niel Rhineland Germany
#8 Mar 45 Erpel Rhineland Germany
#20 Mar 45 Kretzhaus Rhineland Germany
#26 Mar 45 Obersteinbach Hessen-Nassau Germany
#27 Mar 45 Mittlehofen Hessen-Nassau Germany
#28 Mar 45 Kirchvers Hessen-Nassau Germany
#31 Mar 45 Schwarzenau Westphalia Germany
#2 Apr 45 Hallenberg Westphalia Germany
#6 Apr 45 Niedersfeld Westphalia Germany
#13 Apr 45 Uftrungen Saxony Germany
#17 Apr 45 Wippra Saxony Germany
#19 Apr 45 Pansfelde Saxony Germany
#24 Apr 45 Kothen Saxony Germany

Vietnam War

Operation Speedy Express.

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 both the Yakima Firing Center in Eastern Washington and at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin California. 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 inactivation following the end of the Cold War. Army leadership at first decided that inactivating 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 inactivating units were not required to attain this difficult goal.

The existing 3rd Brigade did not inactivate 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 [http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/lineage/cc/cc.htm CMH]

External links

* [http://www.octofoil.org/ 9th Infantry Division Association]
* [http://www.oldreliable.org/index.htm 9th Infantry Division Web Pages]
* [http://www.9thinfdivsociety.org/ 9th Inf Div Society Org web Pages]
* [http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/eto-ob/9ID-ETO.htm 9th INFANTRY DIVISION World War II Order of Battle]
* [http://www.60thinfantry.com/ 60th Infantry Regiment]
* [http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/9thinfantry/index.html Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division] (WWII Stars and Stripes booklet)
* [http://www.easy39th.com/home.php 9th Infantry Division Reenacted-California]