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| US 25th Infantry Division (United States) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 25th Infantry Division |
| Caption | Shoulder sleeve insignia |
| Dates | 1941–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light infantry, tropical warfare |
| Size | Division |
| Command structure | United States Army Pacific |
| Garrison | Schofield Barracks |
| Nickname | "Tropic Lightning" |
| Motto | "Tropic Lightning" |
| Colors | Blue and White |
| Battles | Guadalcanal Campaign; New Guinea campaign; Battle of Luzon; Korean War; Vietnam War; Operation Desert Storm; Iraq War; War in Afghanistan |
| Notable commanders | William F. Dean; Maxwell D. Taylor; James M. Gavin |
US 25th Infantry Division (United States) is a division of the United States Army organized as a light infantry formation specializing in rapid deployment and operations in tropical and jungle environments. Activated in 1941, the division served in major campaigns of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and later operations including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Desert Storm. The division is headquartered at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and is assigned to United States Army Pacific.
The division was activated on 1 October 1941 at Schofield Barracks and drew cadres from units stationed in the Philippines (United States Commonwealth), Hawaii garrisons, and continental United States. In World War II, units of the division fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign, the New Guinea campaign, and the liberation of the Philippines, including the Battle of Luzon. During the Korean War, the division fought in the defenses around Pusan Perimeter, the Battle of Triangle Hill, and the advance to the Yalu River area. In the Vietnam War, the division deployed brigades to Cu Chi, Tay Ninh Province, and conducted operations such as Operation Junction City and the Tet Offensive counteroperations. Post-Vietnam, the division underwent reorganization during the Cold War and participated in Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Storm, and later counterinsurgency and stability operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The division traditionally comprised three infantry brigades, division artillery, aviation, cavalry, combat engineer, sustainment, and military intelligence elements. During World War II it followed triangular division organization; in the Cold War it adapted to ROAD and mechanized tables; in the 21st century it reverted to light infantry brigade combat teams with attached 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment reconnaissance elements and Division Artillery headquarters. Key subordinate units have included the 11th Airborne Division affiliations, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), aviation battalions equipped with UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters, combat support from 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment and sustainment provided by 25th Division Sustainment Brigade elements.
In World War II the division executed amphibious and jungle warfare during the campaigns in the Solomon Islands and Philippines. In the Korean War, it engaged Chinese People's Volunteer Army and Korean People's Army forces across rugged terrain and extreme weather, conducting defensive and offensive operations such as at Pusan Perimeter and the Siege of Chipyong-ni. In Vietnam, the division fought in counterinsurgency, search-and-destroy, and pacification missions against the National Liberation Front and Army of the Republic of Vietnam insurgents. In the post-9/11 era, elements participated in Operation Anaconda-era security missions, provincial reconstruction in Iraq, and partnered with Afghan National Army units during Operation Enduring Freedom counterinsurgency campaigns. The division has been involved in multinational exercises with regional partners including Japan Self-Defense Forces, Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and the Australian Army.
Training in the division emphasizes jungle, tropical, mountain, and littoral operations, drawing on historical lessons from Guadalcanal and New Guinea campaigns. Units participate regularly in bilateral and multilateral exercises such as RIMPAC, Balikatan, and Cobra Gold, and use training centers like National Training Center (Fort Irwin) and the Joint Readiness Training Center (Fort Polk). Doctrine integrates light infantry tactics from FM 3-21.8 light infantry manuals, combined arms maneuver principles from Field Manual (United States Army), and counterinsurgency lessons codified after Iraq War and Afghanistan conflict operations.
The division shoulder sleeve insignia features a taro leaf and lightning bolt motif symbolizing speed and the Hawaiian theater, often worn with the nickname "Tropic Lightning". Unit heraldry includes distinctive unit insignia, campaign streamers from World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War service, and decorations such as Presidential Unit Citation and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation awards. Traditions include annual observances at Schofield Barracks, commemorations of battles like Guadalcanal and Luzon, and community engagement with Hawaiian cultural institutions and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific ceremonies.
Notable leaders who commanded or served with the division include William F. Dean, who later received the Medal of Honor recognition, Maxwell D. Taylor, who went on to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other commanders who rose to prominence during World War II and the Korean War. Distinguished enlisted and officer personnel associated with the division have received decorations such as the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star for actions in campaigns including Luzon and Vietnam engagements.
Today the division serves as a forward-deployed rapid response force in the Indo-Pacific region under United States Indo-Pacific Command and United States Army Pacific command relationships, conducting partnership exercises with Japan, Republic of Korea, Philippines, and Australia forces. It provides rotational brigade deployments to Guam and supports theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and deterrence missions across the Pacific Ocean basin. The division continues modernization efforts aligning with Army Pacific Pathways initiatives and interoperability goals with regional allies.
Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1941