[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 Portions of the information may be out of date.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.
Overseas: July 1918.
Major Operations: Meuse-Argonne (less FA), Ypres-Lys (less FA).
Casualties: Total - 6,108 (KIA - 1,134; WIA - 4,974).
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Henry A. Greene (26 August 1917),
Brig. Gen. James A. Irons (24 November 1917),
Brig. Gen. Frederick S. Foltz (25 December 1917),
Maj. Gen. Henry A. Greene (3 March 1918),
Brig. Gen. Frederick S. Foltz (19 June 1918),
Maj. Gen. William H. Johnston (29 August 1918).
Returned to U.S.: April 1919.
Inactivated: May 1919.
World War II
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Activated: 15 August 1942.
Overseas: 3 April 1944.
Campaigns: Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley.
Distinguished Unit Citations: 3.
Awards: MH-2; DSC-2; DSM-1; SS-528; LM-33; SM-43; BSM-4,152.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Charles H. Gerhardt (August 1942-July 1943),
Maj. Gen. William G. Livesay (July 1943 to inactivation).
Returned to U.S.: 10 September 1945.
Inactivated: 1 December 1945.
Combat Chronicle
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The 91st Infantry Division arrived in North Africa, 18 April to 10 May 1944, and
trained intensively at Arzew and Renan, French Morocco. Leaving by units, the
entire Division was in Italy, 19 June 1944. Meanwhile, the 361st RCT landed
at Anzio, 1 June, and fought near Velletri south of Rome from 3 June. The
363rd RCT entered combat near Riparbella, 4 July. On 12 July, the Division
fought as a unit near Chianni, Italy, for the high ground dominating the
Arno River. By the 19th it had reached the river. The 363rd RCT participated
in the capture of Livorno, 19 July, and in a quick thrust to the north, two
units entered Pisa, 24 July. From 24 July to 12 September 1944, the 91st
held their positions along the Arno while they underwent extensive training. On
the 13th, the Division attacked the Gothic Line, took Monticelli, 18 September,
and advanced to the Santerno River through stubborn resistance, 23 September.
Moving through rocky escarpments and other natural barriers as well as heavy
opposition, the 91st occupied Livergnano, 13 October. The offensive was
canceled, however, and the 91st assumed defensive positions below Pianoro,
31 October. During November, the 91st remained on the defensive, sending out
small patrols. After resting in December, the Division returned to the line
and maintained a static defensive front until 20 March 1945, when the Division
retired to Gagliano and Villanova to prepare for a new offensive. This final
assault began on 15 April 1945. The 91st entered Bologna, 21 April, and moved
along Highway No. 64 against slight resistance. After crossing the Po River
on the 23rd, the Division swung to the northeast, crossing the Adige River,
26 April, and reaching. Treviso on the 29th. All enemy forces in Italy
surrendered, 2 May, and the 91st was assigned occupational duties in
the Province of Venezia-Giulia, including the Trieste area.
General
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Nickname: Powder River Division.
Slogan: Always Ready; also a war cry, Powder River Let 'er Buck.
Shoulder patch: A green fir tree.
Publication: History of the 91st Infantry Division, World War II; by
Capt. Robert A. Robbins, unit historian; The Infantry Journal,
Washington, D.C.; 1947. The Story of the Powder River, Let 'er Buck,
91st Infantry Division August 1917-January 1945; U.S. Army;
91st Division; I&E Section, MTOUSA, 1945, 88 pp.
• 91st Infantry Division Links
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