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| US 24th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 24th Infantry Division |
| Caption | Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 24th Infantry Division |
| Dates | 1941–2006 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Ground operations |
| Garrison | Various |
| Nickname | "Victory Division" |
| Motto | "First to Fight" |
US 24th Infantry Division
The 24th Infantry Division was a United States Army United States Army division activated in 1941 that served in World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Gulf War. The division participated in major campaigns including the New Guinea campaign, the Leyte campaign (1944), the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, and Operation Desert Storm, and underwent multiple reorganizations tied to broader force structure changes such as the Pentomic and Reorganization Objective Army Division efforts. The division's units were stationed across theatres including Okinawa, Japan, Korea, and Fort Stewart, and its lineage influenced later formations including the 1st Infantry Division and elements of the III Corps.
Activated at Fort Benning in 1941, the division drew personnel from installations such as Fort Ord and Camp Shelby. In World War II the 24th moved through the Pacific Theater of Operations, taking part in campaigns on New Guinea and the Philippines under commands including US Army Forces, Pacific and Sixth Army. During the Korean War the division was among the first elements rushed to the peninsula under United Nations Command and fought at the Pusan Perimeter, the Ch'ongch'on River engagements, and the advance into North Korea and the subsequent Chinese counteroffensives. In the Cold War era the division was reorganized under initiatives like Pentomic and ROAD, stationed in Japan as part of Eighth United States Army responsibilities. In the late 20th century the 24th deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, participating in the Kuwait Campaign (1991). The division was inactivated and reflagged multiple times during Base Realignment and Closure and force reductions through 2006.
The 24th Infantry Division's table of organization and equipment shifted with doctrines such as Pentomic, Reorganization Objective Army Division, and later Division 86 concepts. Typical wartime composition included infantry regiments like the 19th Infantry Regiment (United States), the 21st Infantry Regiment (United States), and the 34th Infantry Regiment (United States), supported by artillery from units such as the 34th Field Artillery Regiment, reconnaissance elements, and engineer companies tracing lineage to US Army Corps of Engineers detachments. The division incorporated attached armor and aviation assets from formations like 1st Cavalry Division (United States) aviation units and collaborated with corps-level organizations including IX Corps and XV Corps during combat operations. During deployment to Japan and South Korea, the division operated under logistical frameworks tied to US Army Pacific and Eighth United States Army command relationships, integrating support from United States Air Force and United States Navy elements for combined arms operations.
In World War II the 24th fought in the New Guinea campaign and the Leyte campaign (1944), engaging Japanese forces alongside units such as the 1st Marine Division and under higher headquarters Sixth Army (United States). In the Korean War the division arrived under General Douglas MacArthur's theater command, defending the Pusan Perimeter and conducting offensive operations including the breakout that linked with X Corps (United States) landings at Inchon. The division faced People's Volunteer Army and Korean People's Army formations during the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River and subsequent retreats and counterattacks. In 1990–1991 the division deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of VII Corps (United States) and participated in the left-hook maneuver during Operation Desert Storm, engaging elements of the Iraqi Republican Guard and contributing to the liberation of Kuwait City. Throughout its combat history the division coordinated with multinational contingents under United Nations Command and joint commands including CENTCOM.
After World War II the division performed occupation duties in Japan before returning stateside; elements were cyclically assigned to posts including Fort Riley and Fort Stewart. Post-Korea, the 24th's presence in Japan served as a regional deterrent during crises involving People's Republic of China tensions and Cold War contingencies in East Asia. During the 1960s–1980s the division underwent reflagging, combat training center rotations at National Training Center (Fort Irwin), and participation in exercises with allies such as Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Armed Forces. The 1990s saw reactivation, deployment to Southwest Asia, and later drawdowns tied to post-Cold War restructuring and Base Realignment and Closure decisions, culminating in final inactivations and transfers of lineage to other formations under United States Army Forces Command.
The 24th Infantry Division earned campaign streamers for operations in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, the Korean War, and Southwest Asia (Gulf War), receiving unit awards such as the Presidential Unit Citation (United States) and Meritorious Unit Commendation. Its shoulder sleeve insignia and distinctive unit insignia became symbols observed in ceremonies at posts like Fort Stewart and Fort Benning. Traditions included the motto "First to Fight" and annual commemorations tied to anniversaries of actions at the Pusan Perimeter and the liberation of Kuwait City, as well as veteran associations linked with organizations such as the Society of the First Infantry Division and regional veterans' groups.
Commanders who led the division included generals and commanders with wider service in theaters such as Douglas MacArthur-era leadership influences and later figures who held commands within Eighth United States Army, VII Corps (United States), and US Army Forces Command. Prominent officers and enlisted personnel associated with the division later served in senior roles across institutions including the Department of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and various combatant commands. The division's cadre produced leaders who participated in postwar military education at institutions like the United States Army War College, United States Military Academy, and Command and General Staff College.
Category:United States Army divisions Category:Military units and formations established in 1941