4th Infantry Division
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| 4th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 4th Infantry Division |
| Caption | Shoulder sleeve insignia |
| Dates | 1917–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Division |
| Size | Division |
| Nickname | "Ivy Division" |
| Motto | "Steadfast and Loyal" |
| Battles | World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan |
| Notable commanders | Raymond O. Barton, George H. Cameron, John H. Hay Jr., George W. Casey Jr. |
| Identification symbol | 75px |
| Identification symbol label | Distinctive unit insignia |
4th Infantry Division. Known as the "Ivy Division," it is a United States Army division with a distinguished history spanning over a century. Its nickname derives from the Roman numeral for four, "IV," which resembles the ivy plant. The division has participated in major conflicts including World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq War.
History
The division was constituted in late 1917 at Camp Greene, North Carolina, as the United States mobilized for World War I. It saw extensive combat on the Western Front under the American Expeditionary Forces. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, it was inactivated, only to be reactivated for World War II, where it earned fame as the first Allied division to land on Normandy during the D-Day invasion. Its post-war service included a pivotal role in the Vietnam War, notably in the Central Highlands and during the Tet Offensive.
Organization
The division is currently organized as a combined arms division headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado. Its major subordinate brigades include the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. It also includes a Combat Aviation Brigade and a Division Artillery brigade. This structure allows for deployment of Stryker, Abrams tank, and infantry fighting vehicle units.
World War I
Activated at Camp Greene, the division arrived in France in 1918. It fought in several major Meuse-Argonne sector engagements, including the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. The division sustained significant casualties during the Aisne-Marne Offensive. For its service, it was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Third Republic. Key battles also involved actions near Sedan and along the Moselle River.
World War II
After training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, the division deployed to the European Theater. On Utah Beach during the Normandy landings, it was crucial in linking up with 82nd Airborne Division forces. It later fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Rhineland. The division liberated the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp and met elements of the Red Army at the Elbe River.
Post–World War II
Following occupation duty, the division was stationed at Fort Lewis. It deployed to South Vietnam in 1966, operating from Camp Enari near Pleiku. It engaged in operations like Operation Francis Marion and Operation MacArthur. After Vietnamization, it returned to Fort Carson. In the 21st century, it deployed to Iraq for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, securing Tikrit, and later to Regional Command East in Afghanistan. It has also supported United States Army North missions.
Commanders
Notable commanders include George H. Cameron, who led it in World War I. In World War II, it was commanded by Raymond O. Barton during the Invasion of Normandy. During the Vietnam War, John H. Hay Jr. commanded the division. More recent commanders include George W. Casey Jr., who later became Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and David G. Perkins, who later led United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Honors
The division has received multiple unit awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation for actions in the Hürtgen Forest. It was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for service in III Corps during the Vietnam War. Campaign participation credit spans from World War I to the Global War on Terrorism. Its soldiers have earned numerous individual honors, including the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star.
Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1917