25th Infantry Division (United States)

25th Infantry Division (United States)
PAO25ID · Public domain · source
Unit name	25th Infantry Division
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Garrison	Schofield Barracks
Engagements	World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War

25th Infantry Division (United States) is a United States Army division based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. The division, which was activated on 1 October 1941 in Hawaii, has seen extensive action in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The division is composed of approximately 18,000 United States Army soldiers and is known for its distinctive Tropic Lightning nickname, which was earned during World War II for its rapid deployment to Guadalcanal and Leyte. The division has also been involved in various United Nations peacekeeping missions, including those in Somalia and Kosovo, in conjunction with the United Nations Peacekeeping forces.

● History

The 25th Infantry Division was formed on 1 October 1941, at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, under the command of Major General Maxwell Murray. The division was initially composed of the 24th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Regiment, and 27th Infantry Regiment, and was tasked with defending the Hawaiian Islands from potential Imperial Japanese Army attacks. Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the division was deployed to Guadalcanal in August 1942, where it played a key role in the Guadalcanal Campaign alongside the 1st Marine Division and the Americal Division. The division later saw action in the Leyte Campaign and the Okinawa Campaign, and was involved in the Occupation of Japan following the end of World War II. The division was also involved in the Korean War, where it fought alongside the South Korean Army and the United Nations Command in battles such as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. The division's actions in Korea were supported by the United States Air Force and the United States Navy, and were coordinated with the British Army and the Canadian Army.

● Organization

The 25th Infantry Division is currently composed of several brigade combat teams, including the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. The division is also supported by the 25th Infantry Division Artillery, the 25th Infantry Division Support Command, and the 25th Infantry Division Engineer Brigade. The division's units are equipped with a range of vehicles, including the M1 Abrams tank, the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, which are maintained by the United States Army Materiel Command. The division's soldiers are trained at various United States Army facilities, including the United States Army Infantry School and the United States Army Ranger School, and are supported by the United States Army Medical Command.

● Commanders

The 25th Infantry Division has been commanded by several notable United States Army officers, including General J. Lawton Collins, who commanded the division during World War II, and General William B. Caldwell IV, who commanded the division during the Iraq War. Other notable commanders include Lieutenant General Daniel Akerson, who commanded the division during the Gulf War, and Major General Charles C. Campbell, who commanded the division during the Kosovo War. The division's commanders have been supported by the United States Army Staff and the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, and have worked closely with the United States Secretary of Defense and the United States Secretary of the Army.

● Operations

The 25th Infantry Division has been involved in a range of operations, including counterinsurgency and counterterrorism missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The division has also been involved in various humanitarian assistance missions, including those in Haiti and Somalia, in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The division's operations are supported by the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, and the United States Marine Corps, and are coordinated with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. The division has also worked closely with the Australian Army, the British Army, and the Canadian Army on various operations.

● Insignia

The 25th Infantry Division's insignia features a tarantula on a red background, which was designed by the division's first commander, Major General Maxwell Murray. The tarantula is a reference to the division's nickname, Tropic Lightning, which was earned during World War II. The division's insignia is worn by soldiers on their uniforms, and is also displayed on the division's flag and other equipment. The insignia is protected by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry and is an important part of the division's esprit de corps.

● Decorations

The 25th Infantry Division has been awarded a range of decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The division has also been awarded several campaign streamers for its service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The division's soldiers have also been awarded various individual decorations, including the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star. The division's decorations are displayed on its flag and other equipment, and are an important part of the division's history and tradition. The division has also been recognized by the United States Congress and the United States Department of Defense for its service and sacrifices.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States