[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 Portions of the information may be out of date.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: September 1917.
Overseas: August 1918.
Major Operations: Meuse-Argonne.
Casualties: Total - 1,104 (KIA - 195, WIA - 909).
Commanders: Brig. Gen. Charles H. Barth (28 August 1917),
Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (8 October 1917),
Brig. Gen. Charles H. Barth (24 November 1917),
Brig. Gen. G. W. McIver (28 December 1917),
Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (11 March 1918),
Brig. Gen. G. W. McIver (19 May 1918),
Brig. Gen. Munroe McFarland (24 May 1918),
Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (30 May 1918),
Brig. Gen. G. W. McIver (9 June 1918),
Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (3 July 1918).
World War II
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Activated: 15 June 1942.
Overseas: 3 July 1944.
Campaigns: Western Pacific, South Philippines.
Days of combat: 166.
Awards: DSC-7; DSM-2; SS-281; LM-7; SM-40; BSM-658; AM-15.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Gustave H. Franke (June-August 1942),
Maj. Gen. Paul J. Mueller (August 1942 to inactivation).
Inactivated: 30 January 1946 in Japan.
Combat Chronicle
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The 81st Infantry Division landed in Hawaii, 11 June-8 July 1944. The Division
minus RCT 323 invaded Angaur Island in the Palau group, 17 September, and
pushed through to the western shore in a quick movement, cutting the island in
half. The enemy was driven into isolated pockets and mopping-up operations
began on the 20th. RCT 321, attached to the 1st Marine Division, went into
action on Peleliu Island in the Palaus and assisted in splitting defense forces
and isolating them in mountainous areas in the central part of the island. The
team aided in mopping up Ngesebus Island and capturing Kongauru and Garakayo
Islands. RCT 323 under naval task force command occupied Ulithi Island, 21-23 September 1944. Elements
of the team landed on Ngulu Atoll and destroyed enemy personnel and
installations, 16 October, completing the outflanking of the enemy base at Yap. On
the 18th RCT 323 left to rejoin the 81st on Peleliu, which assumed command of
all troops on that island and Angaur, 20 October 1944. Resistance was ended on
Peleliu, 27 November. Between 4 November 1944 and 1 January 1945, the Division
seized Pulo Anna Island, Kyangel Atoll, and Pais Island. The 81st left in
increments from 1 January to 8 February for New Caledonia for rehabilitation and
training. The Division arrived in Leyte on 17 May 1945, and after a period of training
participated in mopping-up operations in the northwest part of the
island, 21 July 1945 to 12 August 1945. After rest and training, the 81st moved to
Japan, 18 September, and performed occupational duties in Aomori Prefecture until inactivation.
General
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Nickname: Wildcat Division.
Slogan: Wildcats Never Quit.
Shoulder patch: A black wildcat on a black bordered olive drab disk.
Publication: History of the 81st Infantry Wildcat Division in World War II, c/o Infantry
Journal, Washington, D.C.
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,
40th Infantry Division,
41st Infantry Division,
43rd Infantry Division,
77th 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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