85th Infantry Division (United States)
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| 85th Division | |
|---|---|
 Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 85th Infantry Division |
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| Active | 25 August 1917 - August 1919 May 1942 - August 1945 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Division |
| Role | Light infantry |
| Nickname | Custer Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I Russian Civil War World War II *Sicily *Gothic Line *Gustav Line *Po Valley |
The 85th Infantry Division also known as Custer Division was named after the famous cavalry commander George Armstrong Custer. The Division was composed of the 337th, 338th, and 339th infantry regiments serving in both World Wars.
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[edit] World War I
The division was first activated August 25, 1917 at Camp Custer, Michigan. After a year of training the division left the US for England. From England the 339th Infantry regiment sailed to Russia to fight along the White Army in the Russian Civil War against Bolshevik forces. The remainder of the division was stationed in Lorraine, on the Western Front in France as a depot division and therefore did not participate in any combat operations. After the war the division remained on occupational duty in Germany and by August 1919, the last remains of the division returned to the United States.
[edit] World War II
On 15 May 1942 the 85th Infantry Division was reactivated. It left the United States on 24 December 1943 and arrived in Casablanca, French Morocco, 2 January 1944. It received amphibious training at Port aux Poules near Arzew and Oran, Algeria, 1 February to 23 March, then embarked for Naples, Italy, arriving on 27 March. A selected advance detachment appeared on the Minturno-Castelforte front north of Naples, 28 March. The Division was committed to action as a unit, 10 April 1944, north of the Garigliano River, facing the Gustav Line, and held defensive positions for a month.
On 11 May, it launched its attack, taking Solacciano, Castellonorato, and Formia. Itri fell, 19 May, and the 85th continued to mop up the Gaeta Peninsula. Terracina was taken and the road to the Anzio beachhead was opened. The Division pursued the enemy to the hills near Sezze until pinched out by friendly forces from Anzio. The Gustav Line had been smashed and the 85th started for a rest area, 29 May, but was ordered to the Lariano sector which the Division cleared by the 31st. Driving on Rome, the 85th pushed through Monte Compatri and Frascati, entered Rome, 5 June 1944, and advanced to Viterbo before being relieved, 10 June.
After rehabilitation and training, the 85th took over the defense of the Arno River line, 15 to 26 August. The Division attacked the mountain defenses of the Gothic Line, 13 September, and broke through, taking Firenzuola on the 21st. The 85th advanced slowly through mud and rain against heavy resistance taking La Martina and gaining the Idice River Valley road, 2 October, and reaching Mount Mezzano on the 24th overlooking the Po River Valley. From 27 October to 22 November 1944, defense areas near Pizzano were held. On the 23d, the Division was relieved for rest and rehabilitation.
The 85th relieved the British 1st Infantry Division, 6 January 1945, and limited its activities to cautious patrols until 13 March. After a brief training period, the 85th thrust southwest of Bologna, 14 April, pushing through Lucca and Pistoia into the Po Valley as enemy resistance collapsed. The Panaro River was crossed on tile 2.3d and the Po the next day. The Division mopped up fleeing Germans until their mass surrender, 2 May 1945, in the Belluno-Agordo area.
Through the entire campaign, the Division suffered some 7,268 casualties with 1,717 Killed In Action. Three soldiers from this division earned the Medal of Honor.
On 25 August 1945, the division returned to the United States and was deactivated.
[edit] General
- Nickname: Custer Division
- Patch: Circular khaki patch with large red "CD" initials.
