[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 Portions of the information may be out of date.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: 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.
World War II
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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.
Combat Chronicle
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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 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 Cape
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.
General
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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.
Publication: History 40th Infantry Division; by unit members; 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,
31st Infantry Division,
32nd Infantry Division,
33rd Infantry Division,
37th Infantry Division,
38th 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
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