Americal Division

Americal Division
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Unit name	Americal Division
Caption	23rd Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Dates	May 24, 1942 – December 12, 1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Expeditionary force
Size	Division
Garrison	Fort Ord, California
Nickname	"Americal"
Motto	"America's Division"
Colors	Blue, White, and Red
Anniversaries	May 24
Battles	Guadalcanal campaign, Battle of Mount Austen, Battle of the Galahad, Battle of Leyte, Battle of Okinawa
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Americal Division. The Americal Division was a United States Army unit formed on May 24, 1942, at Fort Ord, California, from a combination of units of the National Guard and the Regular Army. The division was composed of the 164th Infantry Regiment, 182nd Infantry Regiment, and 184th Infantry Regiment, and was initially commanded by Major General Alexander M. Patch. The division's name is derived from the words "American" and "New Caledonian", as it was originally intended to be sent to New Caledonia in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The division was also supported by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

● History

The Americal Division was formed in response to the growing threat of the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The division was trained at Fort Ord, California, and later at Camp Roberts, California, before being deployed to the Pacific Theater. The division was initially stationed in New Caledonia, where it was tasked with defending the island against potential Japanese attack. The division was later deployed to Guadalcanal, where it played a key role in the Guadalcanal campaign, fighting alongside the 1st Marine Division, 2nd Marine Division, and the United States Army Air Forces. The division also worked closely with the Australian Army, British Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

● Organization

The Americal Division was organized as a standard United States Army infantry division, with three infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, and supporting units. The division was composed of the 164th Infantry Regiment, 182nd Infantry Regiment, and 184th Infantry Regiment, as well as the 132nd Infantry Regiment, 152nd Field Artillery Battalion, and the 223rd Field Artillery Battalion. The division was also supported by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Army Signal Corps, and the United States Army Medical Corps. The division worked closely with other units, including the 25th Infantry Division, 37th Infantry Division, and the 43rd Infantry Division.

● Commanders

The Americal Division was commanded by several notable officers during its existence, including Major General Alexander M. Patch, Major General John R. Hodge, and Major General William H. Arnold. The division was also commanded by Brigadier General Roscoe B. Woodruff, who later went on to command the 24th Infantry Division. The division's commanders worked closely with other notable officers, including General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, General Omar Bradley, and Admiral Chester Nimitz.

● Operations

The Americal Division participated in several key operations during World War II, including the Guadalcanal campaign, the Battle of Mount Austen, and the Battle of the Galahad. The division was also involved in the Battle of Leyte and the Battle of Okinawa, where it fought alongside the 10th Army, 24th Corps, and the 77th Infantry Division. The division worked closely with the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and the Royal Australian Navy.

● Notable Battles

The Americal Division fought in several notable battles during World War II, including the Battle of the Tenaru, the Battle of Edson's Ridge, and the Battle of Mount Austen. The division also fought in the Battle of Cotte de Chien, the Battle of Verahue, and the Battle of Okinawa. The division worked closely with other units, including the 1st Marine Division, 2nd Marine Division, and the United States Army Air Forces, and was supported by the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

● Legacy

The Americal Division played a significant role in the Allied victory in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The division's bravery and sacrifice were recognized with several awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. The division's legacy continues to be celebrated by the United States Army, and its history is preserved at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the United States Army Center of Military History. The division's story is also told through the works of notable authors, including Ernie Pyle, Bill Mauldin, and James Jones.

Category:Military units and formations of the United States in World War II