2nd Infantry Division (United States)

2nd Infantry Division (United States)
US Army · Public domain · source
Unit name	2nd Infantry Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1917–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison	Fort Carson
Nickname	Indianhead Division
Motto	Second to None
Notable commanders	John J. Pershing, Douglas MacArthur, John P. Lucas

2nd Infantry Division (United States) is a United States Army division formed for service in World War I that has served in major conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, and the Global War on Terrorism. The division is notable for its distinctive Indianhead shoulder sleeve insignia, long association with Republic of Korea defense obligations, and numerous decorations from multinational campaigns such as the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Normandy campaign, and the Battle of Chipyong-ni. It has been commanded by prominent leaders and hosted key subordinate units that played roles in operations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

History

The division was organized in 1917 at Fort Sam Houston and deployed to France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. Pershing where it fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Saint-Mihiel Offensive, and the Battle of Soissons. Between wars the division was assigned to garrisons including Fort Sam Houston and elements served in the Interwar period deployments. Reactivated and reorganized for World War II, the division trained in the United Kingdom and participated in the Normandy campaign landings and subsequent operations in the Northern France campaign, linking with units from the British Army, Free French Forces, and Canadian Army. During the Korean War, the division deployed to Korea and held crucial positions along the Pusan Perimeter, fought in the Battle of the Imjin River, and counterattacked during the Inchon Landing and the Chosin Reservoir operations in coordination with United Nations Command forces including the British Commonwealth Forces Korea. Post-Korea, the division rotated units to Germany during the Cold War for deterrence against the Soviet Union and maintained a persistent presence on the Korean Peninsula with bilateral ties to United States Forces Korea and the Republic of Korea Army. In the 21st century the division deployed brigade combat teams to Iraq War and Afghanistan, and elements have participated in multinational exercises with NATO, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command, and regional partners.

Organization and Structure

The division follows the United States Army modular force structure with multiple brigade combat teams, a division artillery headquarters, a combat aviation brigade, and sustainment and support brigades. Historically organized as infantry and triangular divisions under doctrines influenced by John J. Pershing, Adna R. Chaffee Jr., and interwar planners, it later adopted the Pentomic and Reorganization Objective Army Divisions concepts before converting to the brigade-centric modular design under the Army’s transformation initiatives led by General Eric Shinseki. Subordinate elements have included infantry regiments, field artillery battalions, engineer battalions, signal companies, aviation battalions, military intelligence companies, and sustainment units that integrate capabilities from organizations such as U.S. Army Aviation Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Army Sustainment Command.

Combat Operations

In World War I the division fought in sectors of the Western Front including actions alongside the French Army and British Expeditionary Force. During World War II the division landed in Normandy and fought through the Brittany campaign and the Battle of Brest coordinating with formations including the U.S. First Army and U.S. Third Army. In the Korean War the division executed defensive and offensive operations during the Pusan Perimeter, the Inchon Landing — coordinated with X Corps operations — and the Chinese Spring Offensive where units faced Chinese forces in brutal winter conditions. During the Iraq War the division’s brigades conducted counterinsurgency and stability operations in provinces such as Diyala Governorate and Anbar Governorate, partnering with Iraqi Armed Forces. In Afghanistan elements supported provincial reconstruction, partnered with Afghan National Army units, and provided force protection for NATO and coalition logistics networks. The division has also engaged in deterrence rotations in Europe under Operation Atlantic Resolve and in combined exercises such as Foal Eagle and Ulchi-Freedom Guardian with Republic of Korea forces.

Honors and Decorations

The division has received numerous unit awards including multiple Distinguished Unit Citations, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and campaign streamers for service in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Southwest Asia deployments, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Individual soldiers have been awarded decorations such as the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star Medal for valorous actions in battles like the Battle of Chipyong-ni and the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. The division’s service has been recognized by allied governments including the Republic of Korea and France.

Notable Units and Attachments

Notable subordinate regiments and brigades have included the 9th Infantry Regiment (United States), 23rd Infantry Regiment (United States), 38th Infantry Regiment (United States), 2nd Engineer Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, and aviation elements such as the 2nd Aviation Battalion. Attached formations over time have included units from the U.S. Army Ranger units, Special Forces, Military Police Corps detachments, and support from Signal Corps and Medical Corps units. Coalition attachments have included battalions from the British Army, Canadian Army, and contingents from United Nations Command partners during multinational operations.

Modern Role and Deployments

Today the division remains configured to execute combined arms, multinational deterrence, and expeditionary operations, maintaining rotational brigades on the Korean Peninsula under agreements with United States Forces Korea and participating in multinational training with NATO and Asia-Pacific partners. Elements have mobilized for homeland defense, theater security cooperation missions in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility, and contingency responses under directives from the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The division continues to evolve with modernization initiatives involving the Future Vertical Lift, Long Range Precision Fires, and integrated network efforts led by the U.S. Army Futures Command.

Category:United States Army divisions Category:Military units and formations established in 1917