[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 Portions of the information may be out of date.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
-
Activated: October 1917 (National Guard Division from Alabama, Florida and Georgia).
Overseas: September 1918. Upon arrival in France the 31st was designated as a replacement division. The personnel
of most of the units were withdrawn and sent to other organizations.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. F. J. Kernan (25 August 1917),
Brig. Gen. J. L. Hayden (18 September 1917),
Maj. Gen. F. H. French (15 March 1918),
Brig. Gen. W. A. Harris (28 September 1918).
Returned to U.S.: December 1918.
World War II
-
Activated: 25 November 1940 (National Guard Division from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi).
Overseas: 12 March 1944.
Campaigns: New Guinea, Southern Philippines.
Distinguished Unit Citations: 1.
Awards: MH-1; DSC-7; DSM-3; SS-178; LM-11; DFC-1; SM-73; BSM-948; AM-77.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. John C. Persons (25 November 1940-September 1944),
Maj. Gen. Clarence A. Martin (September 1944 to inactivation).
Returned to U.S.: 12 December 1945.
Inactivated: 21 December 1945.
Combat Chronicle
-
The 31st Infantry Division arrived in Oro Bay, New Guinea, 24 April 1944, and
engaged in amphibious training prior to entering combat. Alerted on 25 June 1944 for
movement to Aitape, the 124th RCT left Oro Bay and landed at Aitape, New
Guinea, 3-6 July 1944. The combat team moved up to advanced positions
and took part in the general offensive launched 13 July, running into
bloody fighting along the Drinumor River. Meanwhile, the remainder of the
Division relieved the 6th Infantry Division in the Sarmi-Wakde Island
area, 18 July 1944, built bridges, roads, and docks, patrolled the area, and
engaged small units of the enemy, trying not to provoke a large scale
counterattack by the enemy. Over 1,000 Japanese were destroyed in these
actions. In mid-August the Division began to stage for the Morotai operation, leaving
Aitape and Maffin Bay, 11 September 1944. The Division made an assault landing
on Morotai, 15 September 1944, meeting only light opposition. During the
occupation of Morotai, elements of the Division seized Mapia, 15-17 September, and
waded ashore on the Asia islands, 19-20 September, only to find the
Japanese had already evacuated. Other elements reverted to Sansapor, where
they maintained and operated the base. On 22 April 1945, the Division landed on
Mindanao to take part in the liberation of the Philippines. Moving up the
Sayre Highway and driving down the Kibawe-Talomo trail, fighting in knee-deep
mud and through torrential rains, the 31st forced the enemy to withdraw into the
interior and blocked off other Japanese in the Davao area. With the end of
hostilities on 15 August 1945, the 31st accomplished the surrender of
all Japanese forces remaining in Mindanao.
General
-
Nickname: Dixie Division.
Slogan: It shall be done.
Shoulder patch: A white disk on which is a red circle, within which are two red D's, back to back.
Publications: 31st Infantry Division in the Pacific; by unit memhers; Army & Navy
Publishing Co., Baton Rouge, La.; 1947.
See Also:
6th Infantry Division,
7th Infantry Division,
24th Infantry Division,
25th Infantry Division,
27th Infantry Division,
32nd Infantry Division,
33rd Infantry Division,
37th Infantry Division,
38th Infantry Division,
40th Infantry Division,
41st Infantry Division,
43rd Infantry Division,
77th Infantry Division,
81st Infantry Division,
93rd Infantry Division,
96th Infantry Division,
98th Infantry Division,
11th Airborne Division,
1st Cavalry Division,
Americal Division,
Philippine Division
|
|
|
|