9th Infantry Division (United States)

U.S. 9th Infantry Division
9th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	1918–1919 1940–1947 1947–1962 1966–1969 1972–1991
Country	United States
Branch	Regular Army
Type	Division
Role	Infantry; Motorized Infantry
Garrison/HQ	inactive
Nickname	Old Reliables,[1] The Varsity, Octofoil, 9th ID, "Flower Power" (Vietnam), "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 Donald Prentice Booth John Shalikashvili
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia

US infantry divisions (1939–present)
Previous	Next
8th Infantry Division (Inactive)	10th Mountain Division

The 9th Infantry Division ("Old Reliables"^[1]) 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 inactivated in December 1991.

Contents 1 World War II 1.1 Combat Chronicle 1.2 Assignments in the MTO 1.3 Assignments in the ETO 1.4 Order Of Battle 1.4.1 Command and Staff 1.4.2 Statistics 1.4.2.1 Chronology 1.4.2.2 Casualties 1.4.2.3 Campaigns 1.4.2.4 Individual Awards 1.4.2.5 Prisoners of War Taken 1.4.3 Composition 1.4.4 Attachments 1.4.5 Detachments 1.4.6 Assignment and Attachment to Higher Units 1.4.7 Command Posts 2 Vietnam War 3 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) 4 Inactivation 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

World War II

• Activated: 1 August 1940 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
• 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 landed on 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^[2]
• 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

1. 27 November 1943 Maj. Gen. Manton S. Eddy
2. 19 August 1944 Maj. Gen. Louis A Craig
3. 17 May 1945 Brig. Gen. Reese M. Howell (Acting)

• Assistant Division Commander

1. 27 November 1943 Brig. Gen. Donald A. Stroh [Assumed command of 8th Infantry Division on 12 July 1944]
2. 20 July 1944 Brig. Gen. James E. Wharton
3. 12 August 1944 Brig. Gen. Kenneth Buchanan
4. 17 September 1944 Col. James S. Rodwell
5. 8 October 1944 Col. Hammond D. Birks
6. 7 January 1945 Brig. Gen. Hammond D. Birks

• Artillery Commander

1. 27 November 1943 Brig. Gen. Reese M. Howell

• Chief of Staff

1. 27 November 1943 Col. George B. Barth
2. 16 June 1944 Col. Jesse L. Gibney (Acting)
3. 24 June 1944 Col. Noah M. Brinson
4. 30 August 1944 Col. John G. Van Houten
5. 9 October 1944 Lt. Col. James W. Lockett
6. 12 October 1944 COL William C. Westmoreland

• Assistant Chief of Staff G-1

1. 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. Frank R. Veale, Jr.
2. 25 August 1944 Lt. Col. William L. Peverill
3. 6 May 1945 Maj. Franklin G. Allen

• Assistant Chief of Staff G-2

1. 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. Robert W. Robb
2. 21 August 1944 Maj. Jack A. Houston
3. 27 October 1944 Lt. Col. Jack A. Houston

• Assistant Chief of Staff G-3

1. 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. Alver B. Sundin
2. 1 April 1944 Lt. Col. Frederick C. Feil
3. 10 December 1944 Maj. Reginald L. Riley (Acting)
4. 6 January 1945 Lt. Col. Frederick C. Feil

• Assistant Chief of Staff G-4

1. 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. George E. Pickett
2. 11 April 1945 Maj. George R. Huff (Acting)

• Assistant Chief of Staff G-5

1. 6 May 1944 Lt. Col. Asa White Kenney Billings, Jr.
2. 9 December 1944 Maj. Charles O. Tingley

• Adjutant General

1. 27 November 1943 Lt. Col. William L. Peverill
2. 27 August 1944 Lt. Col. James R. Hutchison
3. 14 April 1945 Maj. George E. Materewicz (Acting)

• Commanding Officer, 39th Infantry

1. 27 November 1943 Col. Harry A. Flint
2. 24 July 1944 Lt. Col. Van H. Bond
3. 10 October 1944 Col. Van H. Bond

• Commanding Officer, 47th Infantry

1. 27 November 1943 Col. George W. Smythe
2. 6 March 1945 Lt. Col. Herman A. Schmidt (Acting)
3. 13 March 1945 Col. Peter O. Ward

• Commanding Officer, 60th Infantry

1. 27 November 1943 Col. Frederick J. de Rohan
2. 2 July 1944 Col. Jesse L. Gibney
3. 4 October 1944 Lt. Col. Donald C. Claymen
4. 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

1. Algeria-French Morocco
2. Tunisia
3. Sicily
4. Normandy
5. Northern France
6. Ardennes
7. Rhineland
8. Central Europe

Individual Awards

Medal of Honor: 4

1. Distinguished Service Cross: 86
2. Legion of Merit: 6
3. Silver Star: 1,789
4. Soldier's Medal: 55
5. Bronze Star: 5,518
6. Distinguished Flying Cross: 1
7. 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
• 9th Chemical Company

Attachments

• Antiaircraft Artillery

1. 376th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 13 June 1944 – 16 June 1944
2. 376th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 16 June 1944 – 26 May 1945
3. Battery B, 486th AAA Bn (SP) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
4. Battery A, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
5. Battery A, 129th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 14 July 1944 – 18 July 1944
6. Battery C, 557th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 10 September 1944 – 8 October 1944
7. Battery B, 438th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 20 September 1944 – 4 October 1944
8. 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 20 December 1944 – 24 December 1944
9. 2 btrys, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 24 December 1944 – 3 January 1945
10. 2d Plat, Battery C, 226th AAA SL Bn 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945

• Armored

1. 746th Tk Bn (- Co A) 13 June 1944 – 28 June 1944
2. Hq, 6th Armd Go 15 June 1944 – 16 June 1944
3. 746th Tk Bn 28 June 1944 – 10 July 1945
4. CC A (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
5. …32d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
6. …3d Bn, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
7. …83d Armd Rcn Bn (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
8. …Cos A & C, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
9. …Co A, 703d TD Bn (SP) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
10. …Btry D, 413th AAA Gun Bn (Mbl) 10 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
11. Co C, 745th Tk Bn 17–18 August 1944
12. Task Force King, CC B (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
13. …1st Bn, 33d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
14. …Co F, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
15. …3d Plat, Rcn Co, 3d Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
16. …2d Plat, Co B, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
17. …2d Plat, Co B, 703d TD Bn (SP) 5 September 1944 – 6 September 1944
18. Co H, 32d Armd Regt (3d Armd Div) 13 October 1944 – 17 October 1944
19. CC B (9th Armd Div) 3 March 1945 – 5 March 1945
20. CC A (7th Armd Div) 7 March 1945 – 8 March 1945
21. CC R (7th Armd Div) 8 March 1945
22. CC B (9th Armd Div) 9 March 1945 – 12 March 1945
23. CC A (7th Armd Div) 4 April 1945 – 6 April 1945
24. Co B, 17th Tk Bn (7th Armd Div) 6 April 1945 – 8 April 1945
25. CC A (3d Armd Div) 24 April 1945 – 25 April 1945
26. CC R (3d Armd Div) 24 April 1945 – 25 April 1945

• Cavalry

1. 4th Cav Gp 20 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
2. 113th Cav Gp 10 July 1944
3. 24th Cav Rcn Sq 10 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
4. 4th Cav Gp 21 August 1944 – 23 August 1944
5. 4th Cav Rcn Sq 7 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
6. …1 plat, Co C, 297th Engr C Bn 7 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
7. …1 plat, Co C, 635th TD Bn (T) 7 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
8. 38th Cav Rcn Sq (- Tr A) 20 December 1944 – 27 January 1945
9. …Tr A, 38th Cav Rcn Sq 8 January 1945 – 27 January 1945
10. …Tr A, 102d Cav Rcn Sq 25 January 1945 – 27 January 1945
11. …Co A, 47th Armd Inf Bn (5th Armd Div) 20 December 1944 – 27 January 1945
12. …Co A, 10th Tk Bn (5th Armd Div) 20 December 1944 – 25 January 1945
13. …Co A, 47th AT Bn 20 December 1944 – 20 January 1945
14. …1 plat, Co A, 12th Engr C Bn 20 December 1944 – 4 January 1945
15. …Co C, 893d TD Bn (SP) 20 December 1944 – 27 January 1945
16. 1st Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 December 1944 – 14 January 1945
17. 3d Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 December 1944 – 25 January 1945
18. 2d Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 22 December 1944 – 26 January 1945
19. 1st Plat, 99th Rcn Tr (99th Div) 25 January 1945 – 26 January 1945
20. 32d Cav Rcn Sq (- 2 plats of Tr C) 27 March 1945 – 31 March 1945
21. 32d Cav Rcn Sq 5 April 1945 – 9 April 1945
22. …Co F, 18th Cav Rcn Sq 7 April 1945 – 9 April 1945
23. 4th Cav Gp 17 April 1945 – 22 April 1945

• Chemical

1. 87th Cml Bn (- 1 co) 16 June 1944 – 19 June 1944
2. Co A, 87th Cml Bn 28 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
3. Co B, 87th Cml Bn 28 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
4. Cos C & D, 87th Cml Bn 20 July 1944 – 25 October 1944
5. Co C, 87th Cml Bn 10 December 1944 – 18 December 1944
6. Co A, 87th Cml Bn 27 January 1945 – 3 February 1945
7. Co B, 87th Cml Bn 27 January 1945 – 16 February 1945
8. 2 plats, Co C, 90th Cml Bn 18 February 1945 – 31 March 1945
9. 1 plat, Co C, 90th Cml Bn 22 February 1945 – 31 March 1945
10. Co B, 90th Cml Bn 16 March 1945 – 12 April 1945
11. Co C, 90th Cml Bn 3 April 1945 – 12 April 1945
12. 9th Chemical Company

• Engineer

1. Co A, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
2. Co D, 23d Armd Engr Bn (3d Armd Div) 11 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
3. 297th Engr C Bn 24 September 1944 – 29 September 1944
4. 1 co, 298th Engr C Bn 26 September 1944 – 29 September 1944
5. Co A, 294th Engr C Bn 26 September 1944 – 29 September 1944
6. 298th Engr C Bn 29 September 1944 – 30 September 1944
7. 298th Engr C Bn 1 October 1944 – 19 October 1944
8. 294th Engr C Bn 19 October 1944 – 25 October 1944

• Field Artillery

1. Btrys A, B, C (- 1 plat each), 915th FA Bn (90th Div) (105 mm How) 15 June 1944 – 17 July 1944
2. 957th FA Bn (155 mm How) 16 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
3. 172d FA Bn (4.5" Gun) 19 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
4. Hq, 188th FA Gp 19 June 1944 – 17 July 1944
5. Btry C, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 28 June 1944 – 1 July 1944
6. 54th Armd FA Bn (3d Armd Div) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
7. 196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 9 July 1944 – 28 July 1944
8. 690th FA Bn (105 mm How) 14 July 1944 – 28 July 1944
9. 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 2 August 1944 – 6 August 1944
10. 183d FA Bn (155 mm How) 6 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
11. Btry A, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 6 August 1944 – 20 August 1944
12. 951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 6 August 1944 – 20 August 1944
13. 18th FA Bn (105 mm How) 20 August 1944 – 24 August 1944
14. 951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 23 August 1944 – 25 August 1944
15. Btry A, 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 26 August 1944 – 31 August 1944
16. Btry A, 951st FA Bn (155 mm How) 1 September 1944 – 5 September 1944
17. Btry A, 13th FA Obsn Bn 1 September 1944 – 17 September 1944
18. 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 5 September 1944 – 17 September 1944
19. Hq & Hq Btry, 188th FA Gp 7 September 1944 – 18 September 1944
20. Btry B, 991st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 13 September 1944
21. 188th FA Bn (155 mm How) 19 September 1944 – 1 October 1944
22. Btry C, 195th FA Bn (8" How) 28 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
23. Hq & Hq Btry, 188th FA Gp 28 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
24. 172d FA Bn (4.5" Gun) 28 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
25. 981st FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 29 September 1944 – 23 October 1944
26. 1 plat, Btry A, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 7 December 1944 – 10 December 1944
27. 186th FA Bn (155 mm How) 20 December 1944 – 26 January 1945
28. 196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 20 December 1944 – 8 February 1945
29. Btry B, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 27 January 1945 – 14 February 1945
30. 76th FA Bn (105 mm How) 12 February 1945 – 17 February 1945
31. 955th FA Bn (155 mm How) 13 February 1945 – 17 February 1945
32. 400th Armd FA Bn 19 February 1945 – 28 February 1945
33. 987th FA Bn (- Btrys A & C) (155 mm Gun) 19 February 1945 – 8 March 1945
34. 254th FA Bn (155 mm How) 19 February 1945 – 31 March 1945
35. 1 plat, 987th FA Bn (155 mm Gun) 24 March 1945 – 31 March 1945
36. 489th Armd FA Bn (7th Armd Div) (105 mm How) 3 April 1945 – 6 April 1945
37. 809th FA Bn (155 mm How) 4 April 1945 – 7 April 1945
38. 965th FA Bn (155 mm How) 7 April 1945 – 10 April 1945
39. 183d FA Bn (155 mm How) 24 April 1945 – 29 April 1945

• Infantry

1. 359th Inf (90th Div) 15 June 1944 – 17 June 1944
2. 1st Bn, 359th Inf (90th Div) 20 June 1944 – 21 June 1944
3. 330th CT (83d Div) 14 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
4. …Co B, 308th Engr C Bn (83d Div) 14 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
5. …2 plats, Co A, 802d TD Bn (T) 14 July 1944 – 17 July 1944
6. 8th CT (4th Div) 10 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
7. …29th FA Bn (4th Div) (105 mm How) 10 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
8. …Co B, 87th Cml Bn 10 August 1944 – 11 August 1944
9. Prov Ranger Gp 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
10. …Hq, Prov Ranger Gp 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
11. …2d Ranger Inf Bn 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
12. …5th Ranger Inf Bn 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
13. …18th FA Bn (105 mm How) 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
14. …196th FA Bn (105 mm How) 13 August 1944 – 14 August 1944
15. 1st Bn, 36th Armd Inf (3d Armd Div) 13 October 1944 – 17 October 1944
16. 395th Inf (99th Div) 9 November 1944 – 13 November 1944
17. 393d Inf (99th Div) 10 November 1944 – 14 November 1944
18. 394th Inf (99th Div) 10 November 1944 – 14 November 1944
19. 329th CT (83d Div) 13 December 1944
20. 3d Bn, 395th Inf (99th Div) 20 December 1944 – 31 January 1945
21. 2d Bn, 395th Inf (99th Div) 24 December 1944 – 5 January 1945
22. 2d Ranger Inf Bn 6 February 1945 – 8 February 1945
23. 309th Inf (78th Div) 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
24. 1st Bn, 311th Inf (78th Div) 10 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
25. 2d Bn, 23d Inf (2d Div) 12 February 1945
26. 310th CT (- 1st Bn) (78th Div) 10 March 1945 – 14 March 1945
27. 394th Inf (99th Div) 11 March 1945
28. 395th Inf (99th Div) 11 March 1945 – 12 March 1945
29. 52d Armd Inf Bn (9th Armd Div) 16 March 1945 – 18 March 1945
30. 2d Bn, 413th Inf (104th Div) 15 April 1945 – 16 April 1945

• Tank Destroyer

1. 607th TD Bn (T) (- 2 cos) 19 June 1944 – 20 June 1944
2. 899th TD Bn (SP) (- 2 cos) 19 June 1944 – 20 June 1944
3. 899th TD Bn (SP) 20 June 1944 – 24 July 1944
4. Co A, 703d TD Bn (SP) 1 July 1944 – 31 July 1944
5. Co C, 703d TD Bn (SP) 11 July 1944 – 16 July 1944
6. 629th TD Bn (SP) 16 August 1944 – 25 August 1944
7. Co A, 612th TD Bn (SP) 20 December 1944 – 29 December 1944
8. Co A, 801st TD Bn (SP) 29 December 1944 – 3 February 1945
9. Co C, 644th TD Bn (SP) 3 January 1945 – 27 January 1945
10. Co A, 814th TD Bn (SP) 6 April 1945 – 9 April 1945

Detachments

• (Attached to)

• Engineer

1. 15th Engr C Bn 4th Div 8 August 1944 – 9 August 1944
2. 1st Plat, Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 27 October 1944 – 11 November 1944
3. Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 11 November 1944 – 1 December 1944

• Field Artillery

1. 26th FA Bn 1st Div 4 August 1944 – 7 August 1944
2. 26th FA Bn 4th Div 7 August 1944 – August 1944
3. 60th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 13 August 1944 – 15 August 1944
4. 84th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 27 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
5. 84th FA Bn 1st Div 10 November 1944 – 1 December 1944
6. 60th FA Bn 1st Div 6 December 1944 – 8 December 1944
7. 60th FA Bn 104th Div 19 December 1944 – 22 December 1944
8. 84th FA Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
9. 26th FA Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
10. 26th FA Bn 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
11. 60th FA Bn 9th Armd Div 3 March 1945 – 6 March 1945
12. 26th FA Bn 7th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 8 March 1945
13. 84th FA Bn 9th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
14. 26th FA Bn 78th Div 11 March 1945 – 16 March 1945

• Infantry

1. 39th Inf 4th Div 11 June 1944 – 15 June 1944
2. 1st Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 9 July 1944 – 11 July 1944
3. 2d Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 10 July 1944 – 11 July 1944
4. 2d Bn, 60th Inf 4th Div 1 August 1944 – 25 August 1944
5. 39th Inf 1st Div 4 August 1944 – 7 August 1944
6. 39th CT 4th Div 7 August 1944 – 9 August 1944
7. …2d Plat, 9th Rcn Tr 4th Div 7 August 1944 – 9 August 1944
8. 3d Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 13 August 1944 – 15 August 1944
9. 2d & 3d Bns, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 15 August 1944 – 19 August 1944
10. 1st Bn, 60th Inf 4th Cav Gp 3 September 1944 – 4 September 1944
11. 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 8 September 1944 – 10 September 1944
12. 2d Bn, 60th Inf 298th Engr C Bn 2 October 1944
13. 47th CT 3d Armd Div 25 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
14. …84th FA Bn 3d Armd Div 25 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
15. …1 plat, Co B, 15th Engr C Bn 3d Armd Div 25 October 1944 – 10 November 1944
16. 47th Inf 1st Div 10 November 1944 – 1 December 1944
17. 2d Bn, 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 24 November 1944 – 26 November 1944
18. 1st Bn, 60th Inf 102d Cav Gp 1 December 1944 – 4 December 1944
19. 1st Bn, 60th Inf 3d Armd Div 10 December 1944 – 12 December 1944
20. 47th Inf V Corps 17 December 1944 – 25 December 1944
21. 60th Inf 104th Div 18 December 1944 – 21 December 1944
22. 60th CT 2d Armd Div 22 December 1944 – 23 December 1944
23. Co C, 1st Bn, 60th Inf 38th Cav Rcn Sq 20 January 1945 – 25 January 1945
24. 39th CT 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
25. …26th FA Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
26. …1 plat, Co A, 15th Engr C Bn 2d Div 8 February 1945 – 12 February 1945
27. 39th CT 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
28. …26th FA Bn 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
29. …1 plat, Co A, 15th Engr C Bn 2d Div 17 February 1945 – 22 February 1945
30. 60th CT 9th Armd Div 4 March 1945 – 5 March 1945
31. 39th Inf 7th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 8 March 1945
32. 47th CT 9th Armd Div 7 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
33. 1st Bn, 60th Inf 9th Armd Div 8 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
34. 60th CT (- 1st Bn) 7th Armd Div 8 March 1945 – 9 March 1945
35. 39th Inf 78th Div 11 March 1945 – 16 March 1945
36. 47th Inf Task Force Birks 4 April 1945 – 9 April 1945
37. 3d Bn, 47th Inf 3d Armd Div 11 April 1945 – 25 April 1945
38. 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

1. 20 November 1943 First ETOUSA
2. 25 November 1943 VII First
3. 1 August 1944 VII First 12th
4. 26 October 1944 V First 12th
5. 6 December 1944 VII First 12th
6. 18 December 1944 V First 12th
7. 20 December 1944 V First 12th Br 21st
8. 18 January 1945 V First 12th (-)
9. 17 February 1945 III First 12th
10. 31 March 1945 VII First 12th
11. 4 April 1945 III First 12th
12. 14 April 1945 VII First 12th

(-) Indicates relieved from assignment.

Command Posts

• DATE TOWN REGION COUNTRY

1. 27 November 1943 Winchester Hampshire England
2. 3 June 1944 Hursley Camp Hampshire England
3. 7 June 1944 Southampton Hampshire England
4. 10 June 1944 Utah Beach (Tare Green) Manche France
5. 11 June 1944 Flauville (vic) Manche France
6. 13 June 1944 Plaux (vic) Manche France
7. 16 June 1944 Le Honet (vic) Manche France
8. 17 June 1944 St-Saver-le-Vicomte (vic) Manche France
9. 18 June 1944 St-Jacques-de-Nehou (vic) Manche France
10. 20 June 1944 Quetto Manche France
11. 22 June 1944 Benoiville (1 mi NE) Manche France
12. 24 June 1944 Vasteville (2 mi E) Manche France
13. 2 July 1944 Flamanville (3 mi S) Manche France
14. 9 July 1944 Carentan (61 mi SE) Manche France
15. 13 July 1944 St-Jean-de-Daye (11 mi NW) Manche France
16. 21 July 1944 Le Champs-de-Losque (11 mi N) Manche France
17. 28 July 1944 La Chapelle-en-Juger (H mi SW) Manche France
18. 30 July 1944 Marigny (11 mi SE) Manche France
19. 2 August 1944 La Vanterie (3 mi SE) Manche France
20. 5 August 1944 St-Aubin-des-Bois Calvados France
21. 8 August 1944 La Tuilerie (1 mi SE) Calvados France
22. 9 August 1944 Forien Manche France
23. 13 August 1944 Châtillon-sur-Colmont (2H mi SE) Mayenne France
24. 15 August 1944 Couptrain (21 mi NE) Mayenne France
25. 17 August 1944 Le Grais (1 mi SE) Orne France
26. 21 August 1944 Mortange-au-Perche (2 mi NE) Orne France
27. 24 August 1944 La Ferte Vidame (2H mi SE) Eure-et-Loir France
28. 25 August 1944 Arpajon (1 mi SE) Seine-et-Oise France
29. 26 August 1944 Brinville Seine-et-Marne France
30. 27 August 1944 Guignes (1 mi SE) Seine-et-Marne France
31. 28 August 1944 St-Augustin (1 mi NW) Seine-et-Marne France
32. 29 August 1944 Marigny-en-Orxois Aisne France
33. 30 August 1944 Cerseuil Aisne France
34. 31 August 1944 Hannogne Ardennes France
35. 1 September 1944 Plomion Ardennes France
36. 3 September 1944 Cerfontaine Namur Belgium
37. 4 September 1944 Anthee (4 mi SE) Namur Belgium
38. 8 September 1944 St-Forntaine (4 mi E) Namur Belgium
39. 9 September 1944 Esneux (3 mi E) Namur Belgium
40. 11 September 1944 Verviers (3 mi S) Namur Belgium
41. 13 September 1944 Eupen (21 mi SE) Namur Belgium
42. 14 September 1944 Roetgen (1 mi S) Rhineland Germany
43. 4 October 1944 Zweifall Rhineland Germany
44. 26 October 1944 Elsenborn (2 mi NW) Liege Belgium
45. 5 November 1944 Butgenbach Liege Belgium
46. 11 November 1944 Elsenborn (2 mi NW) Liege Belgium
47. 5 December 1944 Nothberg Rhineland Germany
48. 19 December 1944 Sourbrodt Liege Belgium
49. 21 December 1944 Eupen (5 mi SE) Liege Belgium
50. 26 December 1944 Eupen Liege Belgium
51. 28 January 1945 Kalterherberg Rhineland Germany
52. 4 February 1945 Hofen Rhineland Germany
53. 5 February 1945 Einruhr Rhineland Germany
54. 8 February 1945 Strauch Rhineland Germany
55. 12 February 1945 Einruhr Rhineland Germany
56. 18 February 1945 Hurtgen Rhineland Germany
57. 28 February 1945 Rath Rhineland Germany
58. 1 March 1945 Leversbach Rhineland Germany
59. 2 March 1945 Muddersheim Rhineland Germany
60. 6 March 1945 Lommeraum Rhineland Germany
61. 7 March 1945 Niel Rhineland Germany
62. 8 March 1945 Erpel Rhineland Germany
63. 20 March 1945 Kretzhaus Rhineland Germany
64. 26 March 1945 Obersteinbach Hessen-Nassau Germany
65. 27 March 1945 Mittlehofen Hessen-Nassau Germany
66. 28 March 1945 Kirchvers Hessen-Nassau Germany
67. 31 March 1945 Schwarzenau Westphalia Germany
68. 2 April 1945 Hallenberg Westphalia Germany
69. 6 April 1945 Niedersfeld Westphalia Germany
70. 13 April 1945 Uftrungen Saxony Germany
71. 17 April 1945 Wippra Saxony Germany
72. 19 April 1945 Pansfelde Saxony Germany
73. 24 April 1945 Kothen Saxony Germany

Vietnam War

During the war the division's units often served with the Mobile Riverine Force and other US Navy units that made up the Brown Water Navy. Its area of operations was in the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta from 1967 to 1972. Operation Speedy Express was one significant operation in which the division took part during the war, while the Battle of Ap Bac was one of 22 major combat engagements with North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong main force units as well as thousands of small contacts during this period during division's presence in Vietnam.

The 9th Division was reactivated on 1 February 1966, and arrived in Vietnam on 16 December 1966 from Fort Riley, Kansas, and its major units departed Vietnam on 27 August 1969 (HHC & 1st BDE) to Hawaii; 27 August 1969 (2nd BDE) to Fort Lewis, Washington; 12 October 1970 (3rd BDE) to Fort Lewis, Washington.

On deployment the division was assigned to the III Corps Tactical Zone of Vietnam where it commenced operations in the Dinh Tuong and Long An provinces (6 January-31 May 1967) in Operation Palm Beach.

The infantry units that eventually served with the 9th Infantry Division were:

• 2/39th Inf
• 3/39th Inf
• 4/39th Inf
• 2/47th Mech Inf
• 3/47th Riverine
• 4/47th Riverine
• 2/60th Inf
• 3/60th Riverine
• 5/60th Mech Inf
• 6/31st Inf

Other units included:

• Coy E/50th Inf reflagged Co. E/75th Inf (Ranger) 2 Dec 1967 – Aug 1969
• Coy E/75th Inf Oct 1969 – Oct 1970
• 3rd Sqn/5th Cavalry Feb 1967 – Nov 19713
• 9th Aviation Bn Jan 1967 – Aug 1969
• 2nd Bn/4th Art (105mm How) Jan 1967 – Oct 1970
• 1st Bn/11th Art (105mm How) Jan 1967 – Aug 1969
• 3rd Bn/34th Art (105mm How) (Riverine) Dec 1966 – Jul 1969
• 1st Bn/84th Art (155mm How/8" How) Feb 1967 – Aug 1969
• 15th Engr Bn Oct 1966 – Aug 1969
• 571st Engr Co. Oct 1969 – Oct 1970
• 9th Medical Bn 4 Jan 1967 – 18 Aug 1969
• 9th Signal Bn 19 Dec 1966 – 19 Aug 1969
• 9th Supply and Transport Bn 16 Dec 1966 – 23 Aug 1969
• 709th Maint Bn 26 Jan 1967 – 20 Aug 1969
• 9th Admin Co. 30 Dec 1966 – 26 Aug 1969
• 9th MP Co. 19 Dec 1966 – 25 Sep 1969
• 335th Army Security Agency Co. 12 Jan 1967 – 5 Apr 1971
• 99th Support Bn 1 Oct 1969 – 12 Oct 1970

One of the more unique units serving with the division was the experimental Armor Platoon (Air Cushion Vehicle) which used the specially designed hovercraft to patrol marshy terrain like the Plain of Reeds along the south Vietnamese/Cambodian border.

From 1967 on, one of the division's brigades (the 2nd Brigade) was the Army contingent of the Mobile Riverine Force. This brigade lived on the ships of Navy Task Force 117, and were transported on their infantry missions throughout the Mekong Delta on WW2 landing craft supported by various other armored boats some of which mounted flame-throwers (called zippo after the lighter); had mortars in their holds; and even 105mm cannons on their bows (called monitors). The mobile riverine force was often anchored near the South Vietnamese city of My Tho, or near Dong Tam, the Division base camp, and they conducted operations in coordination with the Navy Seal teams, the South Vietnamese Marines, units of the ARVN 7th Division and River Assault Groups. Following the Tet offensive in 1968, General Westmoreland stated that the 9th Infantry Division and the Mobile Riverine Force saved the Delta region from falling to the North Vietnamese Army forces. In 1969, the division also operated throughout the IV Corps Tactical Zone.

In the 1994 film Forrest Gump, the eponymous main character was a member of the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, notably: 4th platoon, A Company, 2nd Bn/47INF.

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 "Light Attack", "Light Combined Arms" and "Heavy Combined Arms". Motorized battalions traveled in the new Humvee 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 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 reflagged as the 199th Light Infantry Brigade and assigned directly to I Corps. The 199th was later reflagged as 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. If the Army decides to reactivate any divisions, most likely the 9th Infantry Division would be the second division to be activated after the 7th Infantry Division.

See also

• Fort Lewis Museum

References

External links

• 9th Infantry Division Association
• 9th Infantry Division in World War 2 Tribute Page
• 9th Infantry Division Web Pages
• 9th Inf Div Society Org web Pages
• 9th INFANTRY DIVISION World War II Order of Battle
• Tribute to the 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division in World War II
• 60th Infantry Regiment
• Hitler's Nemesis: The 9th Infantry Division (World War II Stars and Stripes booklet)
• 9th Infantry Division Reenacted-California