U.S. 36th Infantry Division (United States)

U.S. 36th Infantry Division (United States)
Unit name	36th Infantry Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 36th Infantry Division
Dates	1917–1919, 1923–1945, 1946–1968, 2004–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison	Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas
Nickname	"Arrowhead Division", "Texas Division", "Lone Star Division"
Motto	"We're Going to Texas"
Battles	World War I, World War II, War on Terror
Notable commanders	John A. Hulen, Fred L. Walker, Robert I. Stack, James M. Thompson

U.S. 36th Infantry Division (United States) is a United States Army Infantry division with a storied history tracing its origins to World War I. Known as the "Arrowhead Division" or the "Texas Division," it is most famous for its arduous combat in the Italian Campaign during World War II, including the brutal assault across the Rapido River. The division has been activated and inactivated multiple times, currently serving as a Texas Army National Guard formation headquartered at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas.

History

The division was originally constituted from National Guard units, primarily from Texas and Oklahoma, and was activated at Camp Bowie near Fort Worth, Texas in 1917. It deployed to France during World War I as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, where it fought in several major offensives including the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the division returned to the United States and was inactivated in 1919, only to be reconstituted in the Interwar period as a National Guard division for Texas.

World War II

Reactivated for service in World War II at Camp Blanding, Florida, the 36th Infantry Division trained extensively before shipping overseas under the command of Major General Fred L. Walker. Its first major combat action was during the Allied invasion of Sicily, supporting operations near Licata. The division's most infamous and costly engagement came during the early stages of the Battle of Monte Cassino, when it was ordered to force a crossing of the Rapido River in January 1944, suffering catastrophic casualties. It later played a crucial role in the landings in Southern France and advanced through the Vosges Mountains, participating in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket and ultimately pushing into Germany and Austria by war's end.

Post-World War II and modern era

After World War II, the division was inactivated but remained a part of the Texas Army National Guard structure. It was briefly activated during the Berlin Crisis of 1961 before being inactivated again in 1968. The division was reborn in 2004 as a modular headquarters element, and its brigades have since deployed multiple times in support of the War on Terror, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its current mission includes readiness and command for Army National Guard units across the southwestern United States.

Organization and structure

The modern 36th Infantry Division functions as a headquarters division, overseeing subordinate brigades. Its core structure includes the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion at Camp Mabry. Key subordinate units have historically included the 71st Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, along with various support brigades such as the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. This modular structure allows it to command a tailored force package for specific missions.

Insignia and traditions

The division's shoulder sleeve insignia, a blue arrowhead on a khaki background, earned it the "Arrowhead Division" nickname. The arrowhead shape honors the division's roots with Native American tribes from Texas and Oklahoma. Its motto, "We're Going to Texas," reflects its strong association with the Lone Star State. The division also maintains a museum at Camp Mabry dedicated to preserving its legacy from World War I through current operations.

Notable members

Many distinguished soldiers have served with the division, including its World War II commander, Major General Fred L. Walker. Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, served in the 36th early in the Italian Campaign with the 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division, which fought alongside the 36th. Other notable members include Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served on its staff in 1918, and John H. Reagan Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient for actions at the Rapido River.

Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1917 Category:Texas Army National Guard