77th Infantry Division (United States)

77th Infantry Division (United States). The 77th Infantry Division is a unit of the United States Army that served with distinction in both World War I and World War II. Nicknamed the "Statue of Liberty Division," it was originally composed primarily of draftees from the New York City area. The division is noted for its tenacious combat record, particularly in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II.

History

The division was first constituted in the National Army on 18 August 1917, shortly after the American entry into World War I. It was organized at Camp Upton, located in Yaphank, New York, which is on Long Island. Throughout its existence, the division has undergone several periods of activation and inactivation, reflecting the changing needs of the United States Department of the Army. Its lineage and honors are currently perpetuated by the 77th Sustainment Brigade.

World War I

The 77th Division deployed to France in early 1918 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. Pershing. It entered the line in the Baccarat sector in Lorraine and later fought in the major Meuse-Argonne Offensive. A famous and tragic incident involved the "Lost Battalion" from the 308th Infantry Regiment, which was surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forest for five days in October 1918 before being relieved. The division also included notable personnel like Father Francis P. Duffy, the chaplain of the 165th Infantry, and Alvin C. York, who served with the 328th Infantry before his famous actions with the 82nd Airborne Division.

World War II

Reactivated for World War II, the 77th Infantry Division trained at Fort Jackson, Camp Robinson, and Camp Hyder before deploying to the Pacific Theater. Under the command of Major General Andrew D. Bruce, it saw intense combat in a series of island campaigns. The division fought in the recapture of Guam, the Battle of Leyte in the Philippines, and the bloody Battle of Okinawa. At Okinawa, elements of the division famously relieved Marine units and captured Shuri Castle, a key Japanese defensive position.

Post-World War II

Following occupation duty in Japan after Victory over Japan Day, the division returned to the United States and was inactivated. It was later reactivated as a Reserve division headquartered in New York City. The division was redesignated as the 77th Army Reserve Command in 1968 and later as the 77th Regional Readiness Command. Its legacy is carried forward today by the 77th Sustainment Brigade, which provides logistical support and falls under the United States Army Reserve.

Commanders

Notable commanders of the division include Major General J. Franklin Bell during its initial organization. In World War I, it was led by Major General George B. Duncan. During World War II, it was commanded by Major General Robert L. Eichelberger early in its training and later by Major General Andrew D. Bruce throughout its combat operations in the Pacific. Other commanders have included Major General James L. Collins Sr..

Insignia

The shoulder sleeve insignia is a blue patch with a gold Statue of Liberty, reflecting the division's New York heritage and its "Statue of Liberty Division" nickname. The distinctive unit insignia, a gold color metal and enamel device, also features the Statue of Liberty on a blue background with the motto "LIBERTY" on a scroll below. These symbols were officially authorized during the World War I era and have been retained throughout the division's history.