28th Infantry Division (United States)

28th Infantry Division (United States)
Unit name	28th Infantry Division
Caption	Keystone Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Country	United States
Type	Infantry
Branch	Army National Guard
Dates	1917–present
Size	Division
Nickname	Keystone Division
Battles	World War I, World War II, Cold War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Motto	"Keystone"

28th Infantry Division (United States) The 28th Infantry Division is a division of the Army National Guard with origins in the Pennsylvania National Guard, tracing lineage to militia units of the 18th and 19th centuries. As a major formation, the division served in World War I and World War II and later participated in Cold War readiness, peacekeeping, and 21st-century deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The division is commonly known by its nickname, the "Keystone Division," reflecting its association with Pennsylvania and the Keystone State.

History

Organized in 1917 from National Guard units of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, the division drew personnel from legacy units that served in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican–American War. Called into federal service during World War I as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, the division trained with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and fought in major operations such as the Saint-Mihiel offensive and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Reactivated for World War II, the division landed in France and advanced through the Lorraine and Rhineland, linking operations with formations like the U.S. First Army and encountering German units including the Wehrmacht and elements of the SS. During the Cold War, the division remained part of the National Guard reserve structure, contributing to mobilization plans in coordination with United States Army Europe and United States Central Command. In the post-9/11 era, the division provided subordinate brigades and enablers to operations in Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom, supporting stability operations, convoy security, and training missions with partner militaries.

Organization and Structure

The division historically followed the U.S. Army divisional model with infantry regiments, artillery brigades, engineer battalions, and support units under a divisional headquarters. During World War I, it comprised infantry regiments such as the 109th, 110th, and 111th, with attached artillery and engineer elements. In World War II the division was reorganized under the triangular division concept into three infantry regiments and divisional artillery. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the division's organizational model integrated modular brigade combat teams, aviation battalions, sustainment brigades, and military police units to support deployments alongside commands like Multi-National Force – Iraq and International Security Assistance Force structures. The division maintains ties to state National Guard headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and coordinates with the National Guard Bureau for force generation.

World War I

After induction into federal service in 1917, the division trained at camps such as Camp Hancock and assembled under leaders from the National Guard. Sent to France, the division entered combat under the operational control of the American Expeditionary Forces. It participated in the final 1918 offensives, supporting operations in the Argonne Forest and contributing to the armistice that ended hostilities. The division suffered casualties from combat and disease, and its veterans received decorations including awards from the Distinguished Service Cross and foreign decorations from allied governments such as France and Belgium.

World War II

Federalized again in 1940–1941, the division trained at posts including Fort Indiantown Gap and prepared for deployment to the European Theater. Arriving in Northern France after the D-Day campaign, the division relieved frontline units and conducted offensive operations across the Moselle region into Lorraine. Commanders coordinated with formations such as the U.S. Ninth Army and encountered heavily defended positions held by German Army units. The division fought through the Battle of the Bulge period, secured bridgeheads over the Sieg River, and advanced into Germany, participating in liberation and occupation duties until the German surrender. Soldiers received awards including the Silver Star and unit commendations for actions during campaigns across Western Europe.

Cold War and Postwar Service

Postwar demobilization returned the division to National Guard status with reconstitution in Pennsylvania. During the Korean War and subsequent crises, elements were mobilized for federal service or augmentation, and training focused on NATO contingency scenarios. The division supported domestic missions including responses to natural disasters in coordination with state governors and civil authorities in Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Under the Total Force Policy, the division integrated with active-duty counterparts for joint exercises and remained on mobilization rosters during events such as the Gulf War (1990–1991).

Modern Deployments and Operations

Since 2001, the division provided brigade combat teams, engineer and aviation detachments, and military police to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, embedding with multinational commands like Multinational Corps – Iraq and ISAF regional commands. Units conducted route clearance, base security, mentor-train missions with host-nation forces such as the Iraqi Army and the Afghan National Army, and participated in stability operations in provinces and urban centers. The division also supports homeland defense taskings such as Operation Noble Eagle and state emergency responses for incidents like hurricanes, floods, and public health emergencies.

Insignia and Traditions

The division shoulder sleeve insignia features a keystone shape reflecting the Keystone State and Pennsylvania heraldry; colors and motifs recall colonial and state symbols seen in monuments like Independence Hall. Traditions include annual ceremonies, lineage honors traced to units such as the 69th Regiment (Pennsylvania) and militia formations, and unit mottos and marches performed in public events and veterans' commemorations including observances at the National World War II Memorial and state veterans' cemeteries. The division maintains archives and museums preserving artifacts from campaigns in France, Belgium, and Germany, and honors Medal of Honor recipients and other decorated veterans in unit history displays.

Category:Divisions of the United States Army National Guard Category:Pennsylvania National Guard