36th Infantry Division

36th Infantry Division
Unit name	36th Infantry Division
Dates	1917–present
Country	United States
Branch	National Guard
Type	Infantry
Role	Light infantry, mechanized infantry, combined arms
Size	Division
Command structure	Texas Army National Guard
Garrison	Austin, Texas
Nickname	"Tropical Lightning"
Motto	"Remember the Alamo"
Battles	World War I, World War II, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom

36th Infantry Division is a formation of the Texas Army National Guard with service in World War I, World War II, and twenty‑first century operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Raised from Texas and Oklahoma units, the division participated in major campaigns including the Meuse‑Argonne Offensive and the Italian Campaign, earning numerous decorations and a reputation for resilience. Its lineage, organization, and deployments reflect broader changes in United States Army doctrine, National Guard policy, and joint operations.

History

The division traces origins to pre‑World War I militia units in Texas and Oklahoma, reorganized under the National Defense Act of 1916 and federalized for World War I. Postwar demobilization, interwar National Guard reforms, and mobilization for World War II reshaped its structure as part of the United States Army order of battle. During the Cold War the division underwent mechanization and integration with U.S. Army Reserve forces, later adjusting to modular brigade combat teams used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

World War I

Federalized in 1917 under the National Army, the division trained at camps including Camp Bowie and deployed to France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces commanded by John J. Pershing. It entered combat in the Meuse‑Argonne Offensive and other operations alongside units from the British Expeditionary Force, French Army, and allied contingents. Leadership figures and regimental commanders coordinated with corps and army headquarters during combined operations that contributed to the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

Interwar Period and National Guard Service

Following demobilization after World War I, the division reorganized as a National Guard formation under the United States Army National Guard framework, with state headquarters in Texas and elements in Oklahoma. During the interwar era it participated in training encampments, civil support during natural disasters, and reforms shaped by the National Defense Act amendments, the Militia Act, and federal funding programs. Prominent interwar commanders and fiscal debates in Congress influenced unit readiness leading into the late 1930s mobilization.

World War II

Mobilized for federal service in 1940, the division trained in the continental United States before deploying to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. It fought in the Sicily Campaign alongside II Corps (United States Army), advanced through the Italian Campaign including battles for Salerno, the Rapido River, and the Gothic Line, and later operated in the Southern France invasion and driven north. The division received campaign streamers and unit awards while coordinated with formations from British Eighth Army, French Expeditionary Corps, and allied amphibious task forces under Allied Force Headquarters.

Cold War and Postwar Reorganizations

After World War II the division returned to National Guard status and underwent reorganizations during the Korean War and Vietnam era, adapting to armored and mechanized concepts in response to NATO requirements and Pentomic and ROAD reforms. During the 1960s–1990s it experienced force structure changes driven by the Total Force Policy, alignment with Rapid Deployment Forces, and adoption of the brigade centric organization implemented across the United States Army. The division integrated new equipment from programs run by the Department of Defense and retained state responsibilities in Texas State Guard coordination.

Recent Deployments and Operations

In the 2000s the division contributed brigades and battalions to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, deploying soldiers to Baghdad, Kirkuk, Bagram Airfield, and provincial reconstruction projects. Elements served in stability, counterinsurgency, and advisory roles with Combined Joint Task Forces and partnered with units from Multinational Force Iraq and International Security Assistance Force. The division has also supported domestic missions for FEMA disaster relief after hurricanes and wildfires in Texas, and participated in joint exercises with United States Northern Command and partner militaries.

Organization and Order of Battle

Historically composed of infantry regiments, artillery, engineer, medical, and support elements, the division shifted to a modular structure with brigade combat teams, sustainment brigades, and aviation assets under the Army Modular Force initiative. Units historically and presently associated include infantry regiments, field artillery battalions, the division sustainment brigade, cavalry reconnaissance squadrons, combat engineer battalions, military police, and medical companies sourced from Texas Army National Guard and affiliate units from other states. Command relationships have included subordinate brigades assigned to III Corps, state emergency taskings under Texas National Guard, and attachments to joint commands during overseas deployments.

Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army