40th Infantry Division (United States)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

40th Infantry Division (Mechanized)

40th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active 1917-
Country United States
Branch Army National Guard
Type Infantry
Size Division
Nickname Sunshine Division
Engagements World War I
World War II
Korean War
Operation Enduring Freedom

Operation Iraqi Freedom
KFOR
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation (3)
U.S. Infantry Divisions
Previous Next
38th Infantry Division 41st Infantry Division


The 40th Infantry Division is a modular division of the United States Army. It is mainly composed of units of the California National Guard with one battalion from the Kansas Army National Guard.

Contents

[edit] History

The 40th was organized at Camp Kearney, near San Diego, California, 16 September 1917, originally designated as the 19th Division. It was composed of National Guard units from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. After seeing service in World War I as a depot division, it was redesignated the Guard division for California and Utah, before seeing service in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Later the division served Korea and some of its units were designated for Vietnam. The division was redesignated the Guard unit for California alone, and it continues to serve domestically as such, mostly in homeland security operations.

  • World War II Casualties
  1. 614 Killed in Action
  2. 2,407 Wounded in Action
  3. 134 Died of Wounds
  • Korean War Casualties
  1. 376 Killed in Action
  2. 1,457 Wounded in Action
  3. 47 Died of Wounds

[edit] Service record

[edit] World War I

Activated: 18 July 1917 (National Guard Division from California, Nevada, and Utah). Overseas: 3 August 1918 and redesignated the 6th Depot Division; received, equipped, trained, and forwarded replacements. Commanders: Maj. Gen. F. S. Strong (25 August 1917), Brig. Gen. G. H. Cameron (18 September 1917), Brig. Gen. L. S. Lyon (19 November 1917), Brig. Gen. G. H. Cameron (23 November 1917), Brig. Gen. L. S. Lyon (6 December 1917), Maj. Gen. F. S. Strong (8 December 1917). Returned to U. S.: 30 June 1919.

[edit] World War II

Activated: 3 March 1941 (National Guard Division from California and Utah). Overseas: 23 August 1942. Campaigns: Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon. Distinguished Unit Citations: 3. Awards: MH-1 ; DSC-12 ; DSM-1 ; SS-245; LM-21; SM-30 ; BSM-1,036 ; AM-57. Commanders: Maj. Gen. Walter P. Story (March-September 1941), Maj. Gen. Ernest J. Dawley (September 1941-April 1942), Maj. Gen. Rapp Brush (April 1942-July 1945), Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers (July 1945 to inactivation). Returned to U. S.: 7 April 1946. Inactivated: 7 April 1946 (See National Guard).

[edit] WWII Combat chronicle

The 40th Infantry Division's first oversea assignment was the defense of outer islands of Hawaii, where it arrived in September 1942. Training continued as defensive positions were improved and maintained. In July 1943 the division was concentrated on Oahu, and relieved the 24th Infantry Division of the defense of the North Sector. Relieved of the North Sector in October 1943, the 40th entered upon a period of intensive amphibious and jungle training. On 20 December 1943, the first units left for Guadalcanal, and by mid-January 1944, movement was completed, and the division prepared for its first combat assignment. On 24 April 1944, it left Guadalcanal for New Britain. The regiments of the division took positions at Talasea on the northern side of the island, at Arawe on the southern side, and at Gape Gloucester near the western end. Neutralization of the enemy was effected by patrols. No major battle was fought. Heavy rain and mud were constant problems. The 40th was relieved of missions on New Britain, 27 November, and began training for the Luzon landing. Sailing from Borgen Bay, 9 December 1944, the division made an assault landing at Lingayen, Luzon, under command of XIV Corps, on 9 January 1945. Seizing Lingayen airfield, the division occupied Bolinao Peninsula and San Miguel, and advanced toward Manila, running into heavy fighting in the Fort Stotsenburg area and the Bambam Hills. Snake Hill and Storm King Mountain were taken in February and the 40th was relieved, 2 March. Leaving Luzon, 15 March 1945, to cut behind the Japanese, the division landed on Panay Island on the 18th and knocked out Japanese resistance within 10 days, seizing airfields at Santa Barbara and Mandurriao. On 29 March, it landed at Pulupandan, Negros, advanced through Bacolod toward Talisay, which it secured by 2 April 1945. After mopping up on Negros Island, the division returned to Panay in June and July 1945. In September 1945, the division moved to Korea for occupation duty.

[edit] Korean War

Three members of the division's 223d Infantry Regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Korean War, David B. Bleak, Gilbert G. Collier and Clifton T. Speicher.

[edit] Symbols

  • Nickname: Sunshine Division.
  • Shoulder patch: A dark blue diamond on which, in yellow, is the sun with 12 rays; the patch is worn diagonally.
  • Association: 40th Infantry Division Association

[Nota Bene: These combat chronicles, current as of October 1948, are reproduced from The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.]

The semi-sunburst was suggested as the unit's shoulder sleeve insignia, and represents the division's home of Southern California. The demi fleur-de-lis symbolizes service in France during World War I. The outer rim of the sun rays refers to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation award. The red arrowhead alludes to firepower of the division and represents their assault landing at Luzon in World War II. The Torri gate, a symbol of the Far East, refers to the award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

[edit] Leadership

The 40th Infantry Division is Commanded by Major General Jeff Gidley and the NCO Corps is led by CSM Stuart Fuller (current as of 2004). Their Chief of Staff is Colonel John Harrell.

[edit] Order of Battle 2002

40th Infantry Division, HQ - Los Alamitos, California

1st Brigade, HQ - Long Beach, California
1st Battalion 160th Infantry - Santa Ana, California
3rd Battalion 160th Infantry - Inglewood, California
2nd Battalion 163rd Armored - Kalispell, Montana

2nd Brigade, HQ - San Diego, California
1st Battalion 185th Armored - San Bernadino, California
2nd Battalion 185th Armored - San Diego, California

3rd Brigade, HQ - Modesto, California
1st Battalion 149th Armored - Seaside, California
2nd Battalion 159th Infantry - San Jose, California
2nd Battalion 160th Infantry - Fresno, California
1st Battalion 635th Armored - Manhattan, Kansas

Aviation Brigade, HQ - Fresno, California
1st Squadron 18th Cavalry - Ontario, California
1-140th Aviation Battalion - Los Alamitos, California
3-140th Aviation Battalion - Stockton, California
Co. F, 140th Aviation - Los Alamitos, California
Co. G, 140th Aviation - Stockton, California

Divarty, HQ - Long Beach, California
1-143rd Field Artillery Battalion - Walnut Creek, California
1-144th Field Artillery Battalion - Burbank, California
C Btry, 144th Field Artillery - Van Nuys, California
D Btry, 144th Field Artillery - Ventura, California
F Btry, 144th Field Artillery - Los Angeles, California
2-146th Field Artillery Battalion (81st SAB) (WA NG) -

Discom, HQ - Long Beach, California
40th Support Battalion - Bell, California
340th Support Battalion - San Lorenzo, California
540th Support Battalion (Maint) - Bell, California
640th Support Battalion (Avn) Long Beach, California

Engineer Brigade, HQ - Vallejo, California
578th Engineer Battalion - Manhattan Beach, California
579th Engineer Battalion - Santa Rosa, California

Separate Elements
1-188th ADA Battalion - Grand Forks, North Dakota
140th Chemical Company - Los Alamitos, California
40th ID ROAC - Los Alamitos, California
640th Military Intelligence Battalion - Los Alamitos, California
40th MP Co. - Los Alamitos, California
240th Signal Battalion - Compton, California
160th Infantry Long Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD) -
40th ID Band - Los Alamitos, California
TAC CP2 - Sacramento, California

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at CMH.