106th Infantry Division (United States)

106th Infantry Division (United States) was a United States Army Infantry division activated for service during World War II. Nicknamed the "Golden Lion," it is primarily remembered for its involvement in the early stages of the Battle of the Bulge, where it suffered severe casualties after being deployed to a quiet sector of the Western Front. The division's brief and tragic combat history has cemented its legacy within the annals of United States military history.

History

The division was constituted in 1942 and activated on 15 March 1943 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, under the command of Major General Alan W. Jones. After completing its initial training in the United States, the 106th deployed to the European Theater in late 1944, arriving in Britain in November. It was subsequently assigned to the VIII Corps of the First Army and moved to the Ardennes region, taking over defensive positions previously held by the veteran 2nd Infantry Division.

Organization

As a standard triangular Infantry division, the 106th was built around three Infantry Regiments: the 422nd, 423rd, and 424th Infantry Regiments. Its core combat support units included the 106th Reconnaissance Troop, the 589th, 590th, and 591st Field Artillery Battalions, and the 81st Engineer Combat Battalion. Other divisional elements included the 106th Signal Company, the 806th Ordnance Company, and the 106th Quartermaster Company, all designed to provide integrated logistical and combat support.

World War II

The division entered the front lines in the St. Vith sector of Belgium on 10 December 1944, a region considered a "ghost front." Just five days later, on 16 December, the German Wehrmacht launched its massive Ardennes Offensive, known as the Battle of the Bulge. The 106th, inexperienced and thinly spread, was directly in the path of the assault by the Fifth Panzer Army. The 422nd and 423rd Infantry Regiments were quickly encircled in the Schnee Eifel and, after fierce fighting and failed breakout attempts, were forced to surrender on 19 December. The 424th Infantry Regiment, along with divisional artillery and support units, managed to withdraw and subsequently fought tenaciously in the defense of the critical road junction at St. Vith, alongside elements of the 7th Armored Division under command of Bruce C. Clarke.

Casualties and honors

The division suffered catastrophic losses during the Battle of the Bulge, with over 8,000 men killed, wounded, or captured; the surrender of two entire regiments constituted one of the largest mass surrenders of United States Army troops in the European Theater. Despite this, elements of the division performed with distinction. The 424th Infantry Regiment and supporting units received a Presidential Unit Citation for their heroic defense of St. Vith. Individual soldiers were also recognized, with awards including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star. The reconstituted division later performed occupation duty in Germany until its inactivation in 1945.

Legacy

The story of the 106th Infantry Division remains a poignant case study in military history, highlighting the perils of committing green troops to the front lines without adequate preparation or intelligence. The division's veterans formed the **Association of the 106th Infantry Division**, which works to preserve its history and commemorate fallen comrades. The unit's experiences are documented in numerous historical works, including John S. D. Eisenhower's *The Bitter Woods*, and are taught at institutions like the United States Army Center of Military History and the National Museum of the United States Army. The "Golden Lion" serves as a somber reminder of the brutal realities of modern warfare.

Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1943