XXIV Corps

XXIV Corps was a United States Army formation with a significant operational history spanning two major conflicts of the 20th century. Initially activated during World War I, it saw its most extensive combat service in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II and later in the Korean War. The corps played pivotal roles in several critical campaigns, including the Battle of Leyte and the Battle of Okinawa, and was instrumental in the early Occupation of Japan.

History

The corps was first constituted in the National Army in late 1917 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces buildup for service on the Western Front. It did not see combat before the Armistice of 11 November 1918 and was inactivated in 1919. Reactivated in 1944 at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, it was assigned to Lieutenant General Walter Krueger's Sixth Army. Under the command of Major General John R. Hodge, it became a key component of the liberation of the Philippines, fighting under the operational control of the Eighth Army. Following the Surrender of Japan, the corps oversaw the initial occupation of Kyushu before being redeployed to South Korea in 1948. It engaged in heavy fighting throughout the Korean War, including the Battle of Pusan Perimeter and the UN offensive into North Korea, before its final inactivation in 1972.

Organization

Throughout its service, the corps typically commanded two or more divisions alongside various supporting units. During World War II, its core combat power was provided by the 7th Infantry Division, the 77th Infantry Division, and the 96th Infantry Division. In the Korean War, it was frequently attached to the Eighth United States Army and commanded a mix of United States and Republic of Korea Army divisions, including the 1st Cavalry Division and the 2nd Infantry Division. The corps' structure included dedicated artillery, engineer, military intelligence, and signal units to support its operations across diverse theaters from the Pacific Ocean to the Korean Peninsula.

Commanders

Notable commanders of the corps included John R. Hodge, who led it from its reactivation through the Battle of Okinawa and into the initial Occupation of Japan. Innis P. Swift commanded the corps during critical phases of the Philippines campaign. During the Korean War, leadership included John H. Church, who commanded during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, and later generals such as Blackshear M. Bryan. These officers were often veterans of earlier campaigns like the Guadalcanal campaign or the New Guinea campaign, bringing extensive combat experience to their commands.

Campaigns and operations

The corps' major combat operations began with the Battle of Leyte in October 1944, a decisive action in the recapture of the Philippines. This was followed by the Battle of Okinawa, one of the final and bloodiest campaigns of the Pacific War, where the corps faced fierce resistance from the Imperial Japanese Army. In the Korean War, it participated in the defensive Battle of Pusan Perimeter, the amphibious Battle of Inchon, and the subsequent advance into North Korea toward the Yalu River. Following the Chinese intervention, it fought in the UN retreat and the stalemated battles along what became the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

Notable units

Key divisions that served under the corps included the 7th Infantry Division, which fought at Kwajalein, Leyte, and Okinawa. The 96th Infantry Division earned distinction for its tenacious combat on Okinawa Island. The 77th Infantry Division participated in the recapture of Guam and the Philippines. In Korea, the 1st Cavalry Division and the 2nd Infantry Division were frequently under its operational control during major engagements like the Battle of the Imjin River.

Category:Corps of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1917