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| US Army 24th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 24th Infantry Division |
| Caption | Shoulder sleeve insignia |
| Dates | 1941–2006 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Combined arms, mechanized operations |
| Size | Division |
| Garrison | Fort Moore, Georgia |
| Nickname | "Victory Division" |
| Motto | "Determined to Victory" |
| Battles | See Combat Operations |
US Army 24th Infantry Division
The 24th Infantry Division was a major United States Army formation activated in 1941 that served in World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, and the Persian Gulf War. The division operated as an infantry and later mechanized unit, participating in amphibious operations, large-scale ground combat, and rapid deployment missions tied to strategic theaters such as the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Korean Peninsula, and the Middle East. It underwent multiple reorganizations, inactivations, and reflagging episodes before final inactivation in 2006.
Constituted in 1941 and activated at Schofield Barracks, the division mobilized for the Pacific War and fought in campaigns including New Guinea campaign and the Liberation of the Philippines. Following World War II, the division was inactivated and later reactivated for the Korean War where it took part in early defensive actions and counteroffensives on the Pusan Perimeter and across the 38th Parallel. During the Cold War, the division deployed to Japan and West Germany at different times as part of forward deterrence against the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China. Elements participated in the Persian Gulf War in 1990–1991 and the division later served as a rapid deployment force during operations in Southwest Asia and other contingencies until reflagging to other units in the early twenty‑first century.
Originally organized under the triangular division model, the division comprised three infantry regiments, divisional artillery, and support units at activation, aligning with War Department doctrinal structures of 1941. Post‑World War II reorganizations adapted the division to the pentomic and ROAD (Reorganization Objective Army Divisions) structures, incorporating mechanized infantry, armor battalions, and aviation assets consistent with United States Army Combat Arms modernization. By the 1980s and 1990s, elements included maneuver brigades, a divisional cavalry squadron, field artillery battalions, an engineer battalion, and support brigades, coordinated with United States Army Forces Command and United States Army Pacific when forward‑deployed.
In World War II the division conducted operations supporting General Douglas MacArthur’s island‑hopping strategy, engaging in amphibious assaults linked to United States Marine Corps and United States Army Air Forces air support. During the Korean War the division was engaged against the Korean People's Army, conducting defensive actions during the Battle of Taejon and counterattacks in coordination with Eighth United States Army and United Nations Command forces. In the Persian Gulf War the division executed armored and mechanized advances as part of VII Corps’s left flank during the Hundred Hour War, operating alongside U.S. Air Force strike packages and coalition forces from United Kingdom, France, and Saudi Arabia. The division also provided units for stability and peacekeeping operations in South Korea and logistic support during Operation Provide Comfort.
During the Cold War the division rotated through garrison assignments in Japan and on the Korean Peninsula under Eighth Army (United States) to deter North Korea. Stationing in Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) and periodic deployments to Germany reflected NATO commitments with interoperability ties to Bundeswehr formations and joint planning with United States European Command. Post‑Cold War downsizing and the Army’s force restructuring led to reassignments, transformation to mechanized formations, participation in Operation Desert Shield, and later force reductions driven by the Base Realignment and Closure process.
Equipment shifted from World War II light infantry weapons and transport to Cold War armored vehicles such as the M48 Patton, M60 Patton, and later the M1 Abrams main battle tank alongside M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and M109 Paladin self‑propelled artillery. Aviation support employed AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook helicopters when configured with aviation assets. The division shoulder sleeve insignia featured a distinctive red and yellow motif; campaign streamers and unit awards included decorations associated with Presidential Unit Citation and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation actions.
Commanders and senior leaders associated with the division include officers who later held prominent posts in United States Army and national service, some of whom participated in combined operations with leaders from United Nations Command, USCENTCOM, and allied militaries. Senior commanders coordinated with figures such as General Douglas MacArthur during World War II operations and with theater commanders during the Persian Gulf War. Notable division veterans went on to serve in high‑level positions across Department of Defense institutions, joint commands, and veteran advocacy organizations.
The division’s lineage influenced the structure and doctrine of later United States Army formations; elements were reflagged to divisions and brigades across posts including Fort Riley, Fort Stewart, and Fort Moore. Reflagging preserved heraldry and campaign honors while adapting manpower to formats like the Stryker Brigade Combat Team and modular brigade constructs of the early 21st century. The 24th’s historical campaigns are commemorated in unit histories, museum collections at military museums, and veteran associations that maintain ties to Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts.
Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 1941 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2006