37th Infantry Division (United States)

37th Infantry Division (United States)
Unit name	37th Infantry Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	1917–1919, 1923–1968, 1975–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Army National Guard
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Nickname	"Buckeye Division"
Motto	""
Battles	World War I, World War II

37th Infantry Division (United States) was a National Guard infantry division organized primarily from units of the Ohio National Guard with significant elements from Michigan National Guard and later federal service in World War I and World War II. Raised during the U.S. entry into World War I and reorganized in the interwar period, the division earned distinction in campaigns across the Western Front and the Pacific War, later serving in Cold War-era reorganization and state missions. Its lineage continues in modern Army National Guard formations and divisional heritage preserved by successor units.

History

The division traces origins to pre-World War I militia formations centered in Ohio, mobilized after the Zimmermann Telegram and the 1917 declaration of war. Federalized under the National Defense Act frameworks, the division served alongside formations from the American Expeditionary Forces and interacted with corps and armies such as I Corps and Second United States Army. Between wars, it reorganized per army reorganization policies and responded to domestic crises under governors and adjutants general from Ohio. Reactivated for World War II service, the division fought in campaigns coordinated with the US Army Pacific command and later demobilized into National Guard structures during the Cold War.

World War I

Federalized in 1917, the division trained at camps including Camp Sheridan, Camp Benjamin Harrison, and deployed to the Western Front as part of the American Expeditionary Forces under John J. Pershing. It was assigned to operations that intersected with battles and sectors overseen by First Army and engaged German forces during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and related operations near the Champagne region and Saint-Mihiel. Its brigades and regiments coordinated with French and British Army units for trench warfare, combined-arms operations, and logistics supported by Signal Corps and Medical Department elements. After the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the division participated in occupation duties before demobilization at camps such as Camp Grant.

Interwar Period and Organization

Reconstituted in 1923 within the National Guard Bureau framework, the division adopted the nickname "Buckeye Division" reflecting Ohio heritage and reorganized its infantry regiments, artillery, and support units under the Modified Table of Organization and Equipment precedents of the era. Units rotated between peacetime training at state armories, Camp Perry, and summer encampments coordinated with the United States Army Reserve and participated in civil responses during events involving state governors and adjutant generals. The division's structure reflected doctrinal shifts influenced by studies from Chief of Staff of the United States Army offices and lessons from World War I that informed infantry, field artillery, engineer, and medical elements.

World War II

Inducted into federal service again in 1941, the division trained under War Department direction, staged at camps like Camp Shelby and later deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations. Assigned to operations under commanders in the United States Army Forces, Pacific and coordinated with naval and air components including the United States Navy and United States Army Air Forces, it fought in campaigns across the Southwest Pacific, notably on islands in operations related to New Guinea and the Philippines. The division's infantry regiments squared off against Imperial Japanese Army formations in amphibious and jungle warfare, supported by field artillery, Combat engineers, and Army Medical Department units. Following the surrender of Japan, elements performed occupation duties before demobilization at Camp Anza and return to National Guard status.

Postwar Service and Reorganization

During the postwar era, the division's lineage continued amid National Guard reorganizations, influenced by policies such as the National Security Act of 1947 and shifts during the Pentomic reorganization and later Berlin-era adjustments. Elements were redesignated into separate brigades and battalions aligned with state National Guards in Ohio and Michigan, participating in state emergency responses, federal activations, and training exchanges with formations like United States Army Europe during Cold War readiness programs. The division's patch and traditions were preserved by successor units including brigade-level and divisional support organizations integrated into the Army National Guard force structure.

Insignia, Traditions, and Honors

The division adopted the "Buckeye" nickname and distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia featuring a buckeye leaf motif reflecting Ohio symbolism and state heraldry tied to local militia traditions. Its campaign credits include World War I and World War II campaign streamers and decorations awarded to regiments and individuals such as unit awards from Department of the Army authorities and individual medals like the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star Medal. Regimental colors, unit marches, and annual reunions tied to state historical societies and veteran organizations maintain the division's heritage alongside entries in official lineage records maintained by the United States Army Center of Military History.

Notable Commanders and Units

Prominent commanders and subordinate commanders associated with the division included National Guard and regular Army leaders who later held posts in organizations such as the Adjutant General of Ohio, United States Army Forces Pacific, and continental commands. Noteworthy subordinate units that carried the division's lineage included infantry regiments, field artillery battalions, engineer battalions, and support units drawn from the Ohio National Guard and Michigan National Guard, many of which later became separate brigades, battalions in the United States Army Reserve, or constituent elements of the modern Army National Guard.

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