Soldiers of the 45th infantry division were the first to arrive at dachau. Most of the books out on shoulder insignia contain tons of fake insignia. Third battalion, 157th infantry, 45th infantry division was the divisions rightmost element to its right was the 42nd division. The 1st battalion, 179th infantry is headquartered in stillwater, ok. Through its history can be seen a major portion of the sicilian and italian campaigns, much of the french and german campaigns in other words, the war in europe. The oklahoma guard units that would later become the 179th infantry regiment and 180th infantry regiment were. The story of a regiment, a history of the 179th regimental. The division adopted the thunderbird shoulder patch in 1939 after the rise of the nazi party in germany which used the swastika, a symbol that bore a resemblance to the original divisional patch. The division was refederalized in 1950 and in march, 1951 shipped overseas and to korea where it served until 1953, accumulating 429 days in combat. The contest was overseen by a board of officers who eventually determined the thunderbird would become the new insignia of the 45th infantry division. While traveling through the province of alsace in france during the summer of 2003, i learned about the grave of lt. On 19 october 1920, the oklahoma state militia was organized as the 45th infantry division of the oklahoma army national guard, and manned with troops from arizona, colorado, new mexico, and oklahoma. Feb 6, 2017 the 45 division from ok, and their history in korea. The 45th division landed in north africa and trained at arzew, french morocco.
The current division insignia is a golden thunderbird on a red square. K 179th infantry 45th division reenactors facebook. We offer the highest quality reenacting at an affordable price. Items feature the 45th infantry divisions well known thunderbird patch, as well as regiment and battalion crests. The 45th infantry division was one of only two national guard divisions to see combat in the korean war. The 45th infantry division traces its roots to the 1800s. I got lucky and discovered that it was used by a few members of the 179th infantry regiment during 1952 in korea.
Personal comments page 1 179th infantry regiment 45th infantry division us army korean war project almost three thousand units pages are available. For history of the thunderbirds please visit our website at. The 45th infantry division in world war ii oklahoma history center education department this icon was on the left arm shoulder patch of every soldiers uniform in the 45th infantry division. Also assigned to the division were the 158th, 160th, 171st, and 189th field artillery battalions, the 45th signal company, the 700th ordnance company, the 45th quartermaster company, the 45th reconnaissance troop, the 120th engineer combat battalion, and the 120th medical battalion. In march 1939, after the reemergence of germany as a significant military power and its occupation of czechoslovakia, the british army increased the number of divisions in the territorial army ta by duplicating existing units. I have a russian mosin nagant rifle with a brass presentatio plaque that reads.
The 45th division landed in north africa, 22 june 1943, and trained at arzew, french morocco. The spanish colors, red and gold, indicate that the four states colorado, oklahoma, new mexico, and arizona represented by national guard units in the division were settled by. Reorganized 10 september 1946 in the oklahoma national guard as the 179th infantry, with headquarters federally recognized at edmond. It was activated in 1941 as the us army built up to fight world war ii. Ordered into active federal service 1 september 1950 at edmond. The 179th infantry regiment tomahawks is an infantry regiment of the united states armys national guard currently, the 1st battalion is the only active battalion in the regiment and is organized as a combined arms battalion under the brigade unit of action table of organization and equipment. The 45th infantry division in world war ii oklahoma historical society.
The 45th infantry division held a contest to assist in selection of the new insignia and many designs were submitted. Headquartered mostly in oklahoma city, the guardsmen fought in both world war ii and the korean war. The 45th infantry division was deactivated on 7 december, 1945, reverting to a national guard division, but serving only oklahoma. In civil disturbances, flood disasters, and other emergencies they. The 179th infantry regiment was awarded the republic of korea presidential unit citation for their combat service in korea.
This is the military history of the 179th regimental combat team. The 180th infantry regiment was organized as the third oklahoma infantry during may, 1918, and was federally recognized as a national guard unit on september 3, 1918. Jun 19, 2017 a member of the 1st squad, 1st platoon, able company, 179th infantry regiment, 45th infantry division thunderbirds, gaidosh was relaxing on the overcast morning of friday, september 1, 1944, near the railroad station in the small french city of meximieux, some 15 miles northeast of lyon. Both divisions had been notified that the concentration camp was somewhere to their front and instructions from corps were that the division. Us army 45th division signal company pin di dui crest cb no. Hancock served initially in africa in 1943, until the 45th. The 45th infantry division was formed in 1923, and on august 11, 1924, it adopted an ancient symbol used by native americans, called the swastika. The symbol for the 45th infantry is an american indian thunderbird, so people call the 45th the thunderbird division as well. The 45th infantry brigade combat team ibct, the thunderbirds, are a disciplined team. Personal comments page 1 179th infantry regiment 45th infantry division us army korean war project almost three thousand units pages are available at the korean war project. The 45th infantry division the holocaust encyclopedia. Through its history can be seen a major portion of the sicilian and italian campaigns, much of the french and german campaigns in. The division was formed and federally recognized as a national guard unit on 3 august 1923 in oklahoma city, oklahoma. In january 2003, components of the 45th infantry brigade were deployed to saudi arabia and kuwait.
This is a great way to honor veterans, family members, friends, units, or military organizations. The following month, the division landed in sicily, where it engaged axis troops in combat. P store in haines city until he enlisted in the 45th infantry divisions 179th infantry regiment. Photographs of the thunderbird veterans of the 45th infantry division, 179th inf. Wright, asn 20825559, belonged to service company of the 179th ir. Over 8 years ago i found a neat shirt on ebay that had this scroll above but had no idea what unit had used it in the 45th id. The 45th infantry division was an infantry division of the united states army, part of the oklahoma army national guard, from 1920 to 1968. Present to major general david ruffner, commanding general 45th infantry divison by the 179th infantry regiment, korea, nov. The 45th thunderbird division saw combat in world war ii and the korean war. He served at porkchop hill and heartbreak hill from 19521955. This vintage map chart the journey of the 45th infantry division throughout world war ii. The 45th infantry division was formed in 1924 from national guard units in the southwestern united states. He was in the unit after 1968, when the 45th infantry division was disbanded and reorganized into the 45th infantry brigade. The 45th infantry division was instead based around the 157th, 179th, and 180th infantry regiments.
Some of the divisions assets were also formed into the 45th field artillery brigade and the 90th troop command. Jun 15, 2018 gonzalez is a veteran of the 45th himself. In september of 1940, the war department called the 45th infantry to federal service and began training for a possible war with germany and japan. The 179th infantry regiment is an infantry regiment of the united states armys national guard. Activated 16 sep 1940 entered combat 10 jul 1943 sicily days of combat 511 casualties 20,933. Items feature the 45th infantry division s well known thunderbird patch, as well as regiment and battalion crests.
Soldiers of the 179th infantry regiment on the way to the front, north of salerno, as italian citizens watch while gathering water from a well image courtesy of the. The unit was redesignated as the 180th infantry on october 14, 1921. The 45th infantry division was a national guard unit. John grant rahill, who had served briefly as the company commander of b company, 179th infantry regiment, 45th infantry division in 1944 and who is buried today in a cornfield outside of the small alsatian town of hochfelden. The history of the 45th infantry brigade signaleer. William darby of ranger fame was named co of the regiment in february. Jan 31, 2012 45th division redesignated 23 february 1942 as the 45th infantry division inactivated 1729 november 1945 at camp bowie, texas. Units of the regiment were called into state service many times since its organization. Sep 25, 2015 in january 2003, components of the 45th infantry brigade were deployed to saudi arabia and kuwait. If the authors did not have real period pieces they used reproductions to fill a spot in their books. Shop top fashion brands accessories at free delivery and returns possible on eligible purchases.
That division had more native americans among its ranks. Noble county courthouse company i, 179th infantry regiment. Dec 10, 2014 the patch is not a real prewar example of the 45th division swastika insignia. According to the 29 june 1945 roster of the 45th infantry division, jame n. United states army, 179th infantry regiment, world war 19391945. The battalion is an organic element of the 45th infantry brigade combat team of the oklahoma army national guard. The division insignia is a golden thunderbird on a red square. I have scanned as pdfs the after action reports of the 179th infantry regiment, 45th infantry division, for february, march, and april 1944, which covers the toughest months of the anzio campaign for the regiment. Felix sparks and wwiis forgotten 45th infantry division.
So i think, a sole combat division is around 14,000, 15,000 guys, round about 7000, 8000 will actually see combat. Dec 05, 2017 and thats that the 45th infantry division, nicknamed the thunderbird division because they had a shoulder patch, a beautiful soft felt thunderbird patch on their shoulders. The patch is not a real prewar example of the 45th division swastika insignia. Thats why the new books that have come out try to use genuine period insignia to correct those early mistakes ie. The thunderbird is a symbol of the southwestern indians meaning sacred bearer of unlimited happiness. As a component of the fighting 45th infantry division, its story is a revealing one. Jan 14, 2008 over 8 years ago i found a neat shirt on ebay that had this scroll above but had no idea what unit had used it in the 45th id. Soldier, left, attached to alpha company, 1st battalion, 179th infantry regiment, 45th infantry brigade combat team, provides medical aid to a local child, in the dowlatshah district, laghman province 111115avr318016. In 1940, the thunderbird division was reactivated and deployed in late june 1943 to north africa. The 45th infantry division association is creating a red brick path of remembrance, surrounding the paved walkway, and the flagpole, in the center of the parade ground, at the front of the museum. Currently, the 1st battalion is the only active battalion in the regiment and is organized as a combined arms battalion under the brigade unit of action table of organization and equipment. The regiment was released from active federal service on april 30, 1954 and reverted to state control. The division was part of the oklahoma nation guard from 1920 until 1968.
Two divisions of the us seventh army were involved in the liberation of the dachau main camp on april 29, 1945, and with each passing year, the argument grows more heated over which division really liberated the camp, the 42nd infantry division or the 45th infantry division. Men from the state militias of arizona, colorado, new mexico and oklahoma made up the division. I would like to get him in contact with some of his war buddies thank you keywords. The 45th was activated as a national guard division in 1924 in arizona, colorado, new mexico and oklahoma. Milton arrow page the photos on this page are photos submitted by milton k. Us army 1st bn pagan raiders 179th infantry 45th division. The 45th infantry division was an infantry division of the british army, formed just prior to the start of the second world war. A militia group in germany, called the freikorp, had already adopted the swastika and was using the symbol on arm bands that they wore in 1919 when they fought the communists in the streets of bavaria. Milton was a member of the 179th inf regt, 45th inf div. The story of a regiment, a history of the 179th regimental combat. A member of the 1st squad, 1st platoon, able company, 179th infantry regiment, 45th infantry division thunderbirds, gaidosh was relaxing on the overcast morning of friday, september 1, 1944, near the railroad station in the small french city of meximieux, some 15 miles northeast of lyon.
811 708 712 549 43 334 1439 285 441 527 173 499 440 811 555 710 823 156 1199 890 1452 899 170 1388 657 78 1191 380 1012 243 618 420 919 1242 699 1122 226 68 714 1461