Introduction
This is the story of the 8th Infantry Division of the American Army in World War II. It is, however, a story which begins long before the Nazi version of German militarism struck down the peoples of Europe, before Japanese imperialism ravaged China and imprisoned the islands of the South Pacific—before the world was thrown into this greatest of all wars.
History records January, 1918 as the activation date of the 8th Infantry Division.* Camp Fremont, Palo Alto, California, was its first station, and there it remained in training until September, 1918. Units of organization were the 8th, 12th, 13th and 62nd Infantry Regiments, the 2nd and 81st Field Artillery Regiments, the 319th Engineer Battalion, 320th Field Signal Battalion and the 8th Supply Train.
None of the units of what was then the 8th Division saw combat service in World War I, for they were still enroute to France when the Armistice was signed. One of them, the 8th Infantry Regiment, was attached to the Army of Occupation and served on German soil until August, 1919. The other elements of the Division returned to the United States in January, 1919, and during the following month the organization was disbanded. In March, 1923, it was reconstituted as an inactive unit, and on July 1, 1940, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, it was again brought into active service.
That day marks the beginning of the present 8th Infantry Division. Major General Philip B. Peyton was named its first commander, and from the 8th Infantry Brigade, Fort McPherson, Georgia, came the cadre for a division headquarters. Original units of the organization were the 13th, 28th and 34th Infantry Regiments, the 28th and 83rd Field Artillery Regiments, the 12th Engineer Battalion, 8th Medical Battalion, 8th Reconnaissance Troop, 8th Signal Company, and the Headquarters and Military Police Company. Of these, only the 13th Infantry Regiment had been a member of the 8th Division of 1918.
Before relating the story of the 8th as a division, it might be well to go back into the history of the units which make up the organization. Although the Division is still comparatively young in American military history, its infantry units bear traditions of long and meritorious service.
13th Infantry Regiment
John Adams was President of the Nation, and George Washington had just retired to his home in Mount Vernon, when the 13th Regiment of Infantry was formed on July 16th, 1798. This was in accordance with the first plan for the expansion of the United States Army after the War of the Independence. The 13th was mustered out in January, 1800, but was reconstituted in the first year of the War of 1812, and took part in a number of engagements during that conflict.
The 13th first went into action on the Canadian border at Lewiston, New York, which fell to the American forces on October 10, 1812. Three days later, Queenstown Heights was also taken by the newly-formed regiment. In commemoration of its service, the city of Buffalo raised a monument to the 13th at Fort Porter, New York. The annals of the Buffalo Historical Society contain the following passage concerning the battle at Queenstown Heights: "Outside of the casualties of war—the death of the distinguished British General Brock—it had no military significance except the introduction into history of the gallant 13th Regiment of U.S. Infantry, so dear to the whole frontier."
The next engagement in which a unit of the 13th is known to have taken part was at Black Rock, New York, where a company of the Regiment, after considerable losses, captured a British battery. A few days later, the 13th, by this time for some obscure reason known as the "Jolly Snorters," was teamed with Lieutenant Colonel (later General) Winfield Scott's artillery. Attacking the British at Fort George, New York, the Americans forced them back to "Twelve-Mile Creek."
During the remainder of the war, the 13th was engaged almost constantly in skirmishes along the northern frontier. Then, on September 11, 1814, came the final battle of Plattsburg. American General Macomb with 1,500 men and a small naval detachment, defeated a mixed army and navy command composed of 15,000 of Wellington's veterans—and the war was over. In May, 1815, the 13th was consolidated with the 5th Infantry Regiment, and it so no more active service until the Mexican War. Although a roster of officers during that conflict is still in existence, no record is available of the Regiment's role in battle.
War Between the States
Reconstituted in May 3, 1861, with General W.T. Sherman as its commander, and Philip Sheridan as one of its captains, the Regiment's service from that day to this is continuous. President Abraham Lincoln had issued a call for 75,000 volunteers, and with the assignment of some of these men, the 13th Regiment of United States Infantry was brought to full strength. In October, 1862, seven of the eight companies of the Regiment were assigned to General Sherman's command at Memphis, Tennessee. On one occasion when Sherman, then a temporary Brigadier General, was asked his permanent rank, he proudly replied, "I am Colonel of the thirteenth Regiment of United States Infantry."
It was under Sherman a few months later that the 13th saw its first action in the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant, commanding the Union forces, had decided that the West must be wrested from Confederate control. The Mississippi had already been forced, and now it became necessary to reduce the fortress at Vicksburg. Grant's plan was to hold Pemberton, while Sherman, with the 13th Regiment of the United States Infantry, crossed the Black River in rear of the Confederate forces. After much difficulty, Sherman succeeded in landing his forces near Walnut Hills, Mississippi, on December 22, 1862. A week later, the heavy fire of the 13th assisted the 6th Missouri in crossing Chickasaw Bayou. The main attack failed, and Grant was driven back; but the 13th was highly commended. It was then withdrawn from this sector and, on January 11, 1863, participated in the capture of the Arkansas Post, where it received a citation for gallantry.
Beginning with the Battle of Haynes Bluff, on May 1, 1863, the 13th took part in a series of engagements in Mississippi which culminated in the assault at Vicksburg. Then on May 19, 1863, the colors of the 13th Infantry flew briefly atop the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg. Seven men carried the colors that day, and all seven lost their lives. Grant had greatly underestimated the strength of the enemy, and the attacked was repulsed with heavy losses.
Though the price they paid was high, the officers and men of the 13th that day won for the Regiment the motto that it still retains. Their valor so impressed General Grant that he directed that the 13th Regiment of United States Infantry be permitted to carry on its colors, from that day forward, the legend, "First at Vicksburg."
Although hard hit by casualties, the 13th fought through the remainder of the campaign until July 4 when Vicksburg finally surrendered. There was another hard fought battle at Collierville, Mississippi, at which the Regiment earned General Sherman's commendation. Then on November 23, 1863, the 13th took part in the Battle of Missionary Ridge, its last engagement in the War. Casualties had taken over 60 percent of its strength. Three time the thanks of Congress were bestowed upon former members of the 13th—twice to General Sherman, and once to General Sheridan. General Sherman always retained his affection for the Regiment, and later, to show his esteem, he appointed it the Headquarters Guard.
Post Civil War Years
In the years immediately following the Civil War, the Government again reduced the Army. In 1869, only four regiments of infantry—the 12th, 13th, 20th and 23rd—remained intact. These were frequently broken up into one or two company units and sent to fight Indians or assist in the development of the West.
There were, however, many colorful episodes during this period. The 13th, on one occasion, was given the mission of quelling the Mormon uprising. With Colonel De Trobriand in command, the Regiment marched into Salt Lake City and took over the streets. The Colonel then invited himself to lunch with Brigham Young. He dared the legendary leader of the Mormons, with his thousands of Nauvoo warriors, to attack. Brigham Young, seeing the men of the 13th at uncomfortably close range, reconsidered. There were no more armed clashes, and the Morman uprising had been crushed.
Next stationed in New Orleans, the Regiment on January 4, 1875, proceeded, under official orders, to arrest the Louisiana State Legislature. Later there came a call for volunteers to take a boatload of medicine and supplies through the yellow fever-infested area between Vicksburg and Memphis. Two lieutenants of the Regiment volunteered; one died.
Companies E, F, and H had the honor of forming part of General Sherman's funeral escort in 1892. Company F represented the Regiment at the opening of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. The next year the 13th was garrisoned at Fort Niagra, Fort Porter and Governor's Island in New York, and there remained until the Spanish-American War.
War With Spain
When war broke out with Spain, the 13th was assigned to the 1st Division, V Corps. The Regiment arrived off Santiago, Cuba, on June 20, 1898, and was engaged in battle at El Caney shortly thereafter. Advancing unexpectedly to within 800 yards of the hostile trenches, the Regiment suddenly came under heavy fire from the Spaniards and suffered heavy casualties. It succeeded, however, in driving the Spaniards from El Caney, and then joined in the attack of San Juan Hill.
Next the regiment was given the task of guarding prisoners of war, and in September, 1898, embarked for its home stations in New York. In May, 1899, it was sent to the Philippines. Until October, units of the Regiment were engaged in frequent minor forays against the insurrectos in the environs of Manila. Later it was ordered north to San Fabian in the province of Pangarian, where it joined in the drive to cut Aquinaldo's retreat through this district. Although the complete history of the Philippine campaign has never been written, it is known that the 13th took part in the remainder of the action and received the thanks of the Commanding General of the Islands.
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Burning of Siboney, Cuba - July 14, 1898. |
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In July, 1900, the Regiment returned to the United States, where its units were sent to various West Coast stations. In May, 1903, Company I was ordered to Fort Liscum, Alaska. From 1905 to 1907, the Regiment was again in the Philippines. In October, 1911, after four years garrison duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, it made a third trip to the Islands, where it remained until the outbreak of World War I.
Leaving the Philippines in July, 1917, the 13th Infantry returned to California and was immediately sent to Camp Fremont. In January of the following year, it became a part of the 8th Infantry Division. As a member of that organization, it did not participate in battle during World War I.
After the war, units of the 13th Infantry were stationed at one time or another at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Boston Harbor Forts, Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont and Fort Adams, Rhode Island. In October, 1939, the Regiment was ordered to the Canal Zone. There, in June, 1940, its personnel, with the exception of the band, was transferred to other organizations. In July, the Regiment was reconstituted at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as a member of the present 8th Infantry Division.
28th Infantry Regiment
Organized in 1901 at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, the 28th Infantry Regiment earned its spurs in the Philippine jungles of Mindanao and added to its laurels during World War I in the forests of Cantigny. Shortly after its organization, the Regiment was sent to the Philippines. For two years it remained on the Island of Mindanao, building military roads through the dense jungle and suppressing the Moros, savage inhabitants of that land. Raids and ambushes by these treacherous headhunters were a constant danger. Moros, with their bolos, crept up on lone sentries and small groups of soldiers in the blackness of night, and at dawn the slashed bodies of the victims would be found. Disease followed the men of the 28th from camp to camp of the malaria-infested swamp. In spite of the hardships, they continued on their mission. Through Jolo, Pantar and Marahui the road was rushed to completion. The Moros were conquered, pacified or killed, and the 28th returned to the United States.
For the next ten years, the Regiment performed ordinary garrison duties. It was stationed for a time at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and later in Texas. Little information is available of this period. Then, in 1913, there were serious outbreaks along the Mexican border. President Taft ordered the Regiment to patrol the Rio Grande rover. The city of Vera Cruz was seized by the United States Navy in April, 1914, and later taken over by the Army. The 28th Infantry was a member of this expedition. Until November, 1914, it remained in the city, patrolling the streets and guarding public utilities.
Hardly had the Nation entered World War I before the 28th, as a member of the 1st Infantry Division in General Pershing's American Expeditionary Force, was on its way to France. On June 28, 1917, the Regiment arrived at the port of St. Nazaire, and early the next morning, the men of Company K became the first American combat unit to set foot on European soil.
Immediately the Regiment entrained for the province of Lorraine, where it began a program of rigorous training under the famous French "Blue Devils," the 52nd Battalion of Chasseurs. All through the following winter the 28th was in training, and when spring came it had been moulded into a rugged, hard-hitting combat team.
Cantigny
The Regiment had occupied the trenches before the city of Toul when the Germans drove a powerful salient between the British and French forces in the vicinity of Montdidier. To the American 1st Division was given the task of overcoming this dangerous drive which was aimed at the all-important Channel ports. The first American offensive of the war began near Cantigny on May 28, 1918. Fighting was vicious, and the battle lasted three days; but after counter-attacking five times, the Germans withdrew.
American forces had gained their objective. No longer was there any doubt in the minds of the British and French as to the fighting ability of the Americans. Not only was their victory a military success; the psychological effect upon the Allied armies was tremendous. On that day the tide of battle turned in favor of the Allies. The Regiment was cited for gallantry in action by Marshal Petain, and Colonel Hanson Ely, its commander, was rewarded by promotion to the rank of Brigadier General. The 28th had already made an important contribution to the complete victory that was to come.
Soissons
There were more victories for the American forces—and the 28th Infantry. On July 18, 1918, the 28th, despite heavy artillery bombardment and strong resistance, succeeded in cutting the German line of communication in the Battle of Soissons. Despite severe casualties—56 officers and 1,760 enlisted men—the Regiment's spirit remained unbroken. After a brief respite, it went into action again, taking part, on September 12, in the destruction of the St. Mihiel salient. For three years the Germans had maintained this wedge deep within Allied lines. Now, in spite of the enemy's tenacity, and in the face of bitter cold and rain, the Americans smashed through.
Argonne
Then came the Battle of the Argonne, a month of steady slugging in the tangled underbrush and dense thicket against a stubborn enemy. Again the Germans were driven back. There was more bloody fighting before heavily fortified Sedan; and when the Americans had fought their way into position to take the City, they stepped aside and allowed the French to march in and reclaim the prize when they had lost to the Germans in 1871.
The War had been won, and the 28th Infantry had played no small part in the victory. To the French, no display of gratitude seemed too great, as they decorated the members of the Regiment with the Fouragerre. More than 5,00 officers and enlisted men of the regiment were war casualties.
After the Armistice was signed, the 28th began its triumphant entry into Germany. Marching through the Duchy of Luxembourg, the Regiment crossed the Rhine on December 13 and entered the American bridgehead area. There it kept the "Watch on the Rhine" until the treaty of peace was signed.
Returning to the United States in September, 1919, the 28th paraded in New York and Washington D.C., and then took up its station in Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. In 1920, the Regiment was transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey, and in June, 1922, it was moved to the State of New York. There, one battalion was stationed at Fort Niagra, another at Fort Ontario. The 1st Battalion garrisoned Fort Porter until it reverted to inactive status in 1933.
The 28th remained a member of the 1st Division until October, 1939, when the Army was reorganized, and divisions became triangular. During 1939-1940, the Regiment underwent a period of winter training in northern New York, testing skis, snowshoes and other equipment for use in cold climates. In the summer of 1940, the 1st Battalion was re-activated at Fort Niagra, and the entire Regiment was brought to peace-time strength. It then proceeded to Fort Jackson, where, on July 1, 1940, it was assigned to the 8th Infantry Division.
"Vincit Amor Patriae"—"Love of Country Shall Conquer" is the motto of the 28th. The Regimental emblem is a shield emblazoned with the "Lion of Cantigny."
121st Infantry Regiment
Among the Confederate forces opposing Union troops during the Civil War, were a number of colorful units of the Georgia militia. In January, 1891, more than twenty years after the close of the war, a number of these small units were combined to form the 2nd Infantry of the Georgia National Guard. It was this organization which, on August 5, 1917, was redesignated the 121st Infantry, and become popularly known as "The Old Gray Bonnet" Regiment.
Unraveling a few of the strings that went into the making of the Old Gray Bonnent, we come again to pre-Civil War days. In May, 1810, there was organized in Milledgeville, Georgia, a company of volunteers known as the Baldwin Blues. During the Civil War, this company, as part of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, participated in the battles of Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Spottsylvania and Gettysburg.
In September, 1841, volunteers from Macon, Georgia, organized the Floyd Rifles, who later fought at Tanner's Creek, Seven Pines, Malvern Hill and Gettysburg. The Barnesville Blues were organized in February, 1861, and served as part of the Western Army of the Confederacy under Generals Bragg and Johnson. It was this company which most probably was engaged in combat at one time or another with units of the 13th Infantry, at the Battle of Chickamauga.
Most of these units were disbanded for a time after Appomattox, and reorganized a few years later. Other units of the Regiment were formed shortly after the close of the Civil War. Among them were the Macon Hussars, The Southern Cadets of Macon, the Jackson (Ga.) Rifles and Albany (Ga.) Guards.
On the Rio Grande
The 2nd Infantry of the Georgia National Guard was mobilized in June, 1915, because of the trouble with Mexico. The Regiment went into training at Camp Harris, Georgia, and remained there until October when it entrained for Texas. Arriving at Camp Cotton, Texas, on October 27, the Regiment was assigned the task of patrolling the border.
Late in March, 1917, the Regiment returned to Camp Harris, Georgia, and began training for participation in World War I. In August, it was redesignated the 121st Infantry, and was assigned to the newly-formed 30th Infantry Division. Beginning in January, 1918, the Regiment received frequent calls for infantry replacements, and by June, nearly every enlisted man who was physically fit had been sent overseas with some other unit. Soon, however, a new draft again brought the organization up to full strength.
Europe
The long-awaited orders to sail came at last. The Regiment embarked at Hoboken, New Jersey, on September 29,1918, and landed at Brest on October 18. Colonel J.A. Thomas, the regimental commander, died aboard ship in the French harbor. Four days later, at Le Mans, France, the 121st was broken up and its men sent to the front as replacements. There was bitter disappointment among the officers as they saw the Regiment disintegrate. Major Wilder took possession of the Regimental colors, and refused to give them up until he returned to Atlanta where he presented them to the Governor of Georgia.
The Regiment was reorganized in 1919 as a member of the Georgia National Guard. For a brief period in 1934, it was called into active service to quell riots in the Georgia textile strike. Finally, on September 16, 1940, the 121st Infantry was again inducted into Federal service at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where on November 22, 1941, it replaced the 34th Infantry as a member of the 8th Division.
The Old Gray Bonnet remains to this day the emblem of the 121st, as well as its Regimental song. "Faciendum Est"—"It Shall Be Done"— is its motto.
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