92nd Infantry Division (United States)

92nd Infantry Division (United States)
Unit name	92nd Infantry Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 92nd Infantry Division
Dates	1917–1919, 1942–1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Nickname	"Buffalo Soldiers Division"
Battles	World War I, World War II
Notable commanders	Charles C. Ballou, Edward Almond

92nd Infantry Division (United States) was a segregated infantry formation of the United States Army that served in both World War I and World War II. Composed primarily of African American soldiers with white officers, the division faced significant challenges due to the racial segregation and prejudice prevalent in the military and society. Despite these obstacles, its units engaged in combat in the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I and saw extensive action in the Italian Campaign of World War II.

History

The division was first constituted in October 1917, shortly after the American entry into World War I, as part of the National Army. It was activated at Camp Funston, Kansas, under the command of Major General Charles C. Ballou. After training, the division deployed to France in the summer of 1918, where its regiments were often used as labor and support units, though elements saw combat in the Meuse-Argonne offensive and the Second Battle of the Marne. The division was deactivated in 1919. Reactivated for World War II in October 1942 at Fort McClellan, Alabama, the division trained under Major General Edward Almond before shipping overseas to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in 1944.

Organization

During World War I, the division's core infantry regiments were the 365th, 366th, 367th, and 368th Infantry Regiments. Its artillery brigade included the 349th and 350th Field Artillery Regiments. In World War II, its primary organic regiments were the 370th and 371st Infantry Regiments, later joined by the segregated 442nd Infantry Regiment. Support units included the 597th and 598th Field Artillery Battalions, as well as the 600th Field Artillery Battalion.

Combat record

In World War I, the division's most notable engagement was the participation of the 368th Infantry Regiment in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, where it faced difficulties that were later attributed to poor preparation and racist command assessments. During World War II, the division entered combat in Italy in August 1944 as part of the U.S. Fifth Army under Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark. It fought in the Serchio Valley and against the Gothic Line, participating in the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino and the Spring 1945 offensive in Italy. The division faced a major German counterattack during the Battle of Garfagnana and later advanced in the Po Valley offensive until the German surrender in Italy in May 1945.

Commanders

* Major General Charles C. Ballou (1917–1919) * Major General Edward Almond (1942–1945) * Brigadier General John E. Wood (1945)

Insignia and nicknames

The division's shoulder sleeve insignia is a black bison on an olive drab shield, leading to its primary nickname, the "Buffalo Soldiers Division," linking it to the historic Buffalo Soldier regiments of the post-American Civil War frontier. This nickname was adopted during World War I. The division was also sometimes referred to by the derogatory label "Black Division," used by contemporaries. The bison symbol was chosen for its association with strength and the service of African American troops in the American West.

Legacy and honors

The division's service highlighted the contradictions of fighting for freedom abroad while facing segregation and discrimination at home, contributing to the post-war Civil Rights Movement. Several of its members received high honors, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star. The division was awarded the World War I Victory Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Its history is preserved at institutions like the National Museum of the United States Army and is a subject of study regarding race and military policy. The lineage of its regiments is carried on by units in the Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve.

Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1917 Category:African-American history in the United States military