[Webmaster Note: The following division information is reproduced
from the public domain publication, The Army Almanac: A Book of
Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office,
1950. Portions of the information may be out of date. Only minor formatting changes and
typographical corrections have been made.]
World War I
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Activated: October 1917 (National Guard Division, troops
from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota).
Overseas: Most of the division personnel was sent to other organizations.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. A. P. Blacksom (25 August 1917),
Brig. Gen. F. G. Mauldin (18 September 1917),
Maj. Gen. A. P. Blacksom (10 December 1917),
Brig. Gen. F. G. Mauldin (8 May 1918),
Brig. Gen. J. A. Johnston (4 July 1918),
Brig.. Gen. John A. Johnston - (26 October 1918).
Returned to U.S.: December 1918.
World War II
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Activated: 10 February 1941 (National Guard Division from
North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota).
Overseas: May 1942.
Campaigns: Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po River.
Days of combat: 500.
Distinguished Unit Citations: 3.
Awards: MH-9; DSC-6; DSM-2; SS-1,153; LM-6; SM-54; BSM-2,545.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Ellard A. Walsh (February-August 1941),
Maj. Gen. Russell P. Hartle (August 1941-May 1942),
Maj. Gen. Charles W. Ryder (May 1942-July 1944),
Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte (July 1944 to inactivation).
Returned to U.S.: 3 November 1945.
Inactivated: 3 November 1945.
Combat Chronicle
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After continuing its training in Ireland, the 34th Infantry Division saw its
first combat in the North African invasion, 8 November 1942, landing at Algiers
and seizing the port and outlying airfields. Elements of the Division took part
in numerous subsequent engagements in Tunisia during the Allied buildup, notably
at Sened Station, Paid Pass, Sbeitla, and Fondouk Gap. In April 1943 the Division
assaulted Hill 609, capturing it on 1 May 1943, and then drove through Chouigui Pass
to Tebourba and Ferryville. The Division then trained for the Salerno landing. The
151st FA Bn. went in on D-day, 9 September 1943, at Salerno, while the
rest of the Division followed on 25 September. Contacting the enemy at the
Calore River, 28 September 1943, the 34th drove north to take Benevento, crossed
the winding Volturno three times in October and November, assaulted Mount Patano
and took one of its four peaks before being relieved, 9 December 1943. In January
1944, the Division drove into the Gustav line, took Mount Trocchio after a bitter
fight, pushed across the Rapido, attacked Monastery Hill, and fought its way into
Cassino, being relieved 13 February 1944. After rest and rehabilitation, it landed
in the Anzio beachhead, 25 March 1944, maintaining defensive positions until the
offensive of 23 May, when it broke out of the beachhead, took Cisterna, and raced
to Civitavecchia and Rome. After a short rest, the Division drove across the
Cecina River to liberate Livorno, 19 July 1944, and continued on to take Mount
Belmonte in October. Digging in south of Bologna for the winter, the 34th jumped
off, 15 April 1945, and captured Bologna on 21 April. Pursuit of the routed enemy
was halted, 2 May, with the German surrender in Italy.
General
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Nicknames: Red Bull Division.
Slogan: Attack, Attack, Attack!
Shoulder patch: A bovine skull, in red, on an olla (Mexican water flask) of black.
Publication: Story of the 34th Division from Louisiana to Pisa; by unit
members; TI&E, MTOUSA; distributor, The Adjutant General of Iowa, Des
Moines, Iowa; 1945.
• 34th Infantry Division Links
• 34th Infantry Division Components
• 34th Infantry Division Medal of Honor Recipients
• 34th Infantry Division Commanders
• 34th Infantry Division Videos
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