US 45th Infantry Division

US 45th Infantry Division was a major formation of the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War, with its origins dating back to the interwar period, specifically the National Guard of Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The division was activated on September 3, 1940, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, under the command of Major General William S. Key. It was composed of units from the Oklahoma National Guard, Colorado National Guard, New Mexico National Guard, and Arizona National Guard. The division's formation was part of the larger mobilization effort of the United States Armed Forces in response to the growing threat of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan.

● History

The division's history began with its activation in 1940, with its initial training taking place at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, under the supervision of General George S. Patton and General Omar Bradley. The division then moved to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and later to Camp Barkeley, Texas, for further training, where it was joined by units from the 89th Infantry Division and the 90th Infantry Division. In 1943, the division was shipped to North Africa, where it participated in the Tunisian Campaign alongside the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Armored Division, and the British Army. The division then took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily, where it fought alongside the 3rd Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and the Canadian Army. After the Italian Campaign, the division was shipped to France, where it participated in the Rhineland Campaign and the Central Europe Campaign alongside the 7th Army, 3rd Army, and the French Resistance.

● Organization

The division was organized into several infantry regiments, including the 179th Infantry Regiment, 180th Infantry Regiment, and the 157th Infantry Regiment, as well as artillery units such as the 158th Field Artillery Regiment and the 160th Field Artillery Regiment. The division also included engineer units like the 120th Engineer Combat Battalion and medical units such as the 120th Medical Battalion. The division was supported by units from the XII Corps, XV Corps, and the XXI Corps, and worked closely with the Royal Air Force, United States Army Air Forces, and the French Air Force.

● Combat Record

The division's combat record includes participation in several major battles and campaigns, including the Battle of Anzio, Battle of Monte Cassino, and the Battle of the Bulge, where it fought alongside the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, and the British Army. The division also took part in the Liberation of Paris and the Battle of the Rhineland, where it worked closely with the Free French Forces, Belgian Resistance, and the Dutch Resistance. During the Korean War, the division was deployed to Korea, where it fought in several battles, including the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, alongside the 1st Marine Division, 7th Infantry Division, and the South Korean army.

● Notable Commanders

The division had several notable commanders, including Major General William S. Key, Major General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Major General James Van Fleet, who later became a prominent figure in the Korean War. Other notable commanders included Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe, who played a key role in the Battle of the Bulge, and Brigadier General Matthew B. Ridgway, who later became the Supreme Commander of the United Nations Command in Korea. The division also had close relationships with other notable military leaders, including General George S. Patton, General Omar Bradley, and General Douglas MacArthur.

● Insignia

The division's insignia features a thunderbird, a mythical creature from Native American folklore, which is also a symbol of the Southwestern United States. The thunderbird is depicted on a shield with a blue and red background, which represents the division's connection to the Oklahoma National Guard and the Southwest United States. The division's motto, "Semper Anticus," which is Latin for "Always Forward," reflects the division's commitment to advancing and overcoming challenges, as embodied by the United States Army and its core values. The insignia is also featured on the division's flag, which is flown at division headquarters and other official events, including those hosted by the Pentagon, White House, and the United States Department of Defense.

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