Americal Division
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2012) |
Americal Division | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1945 1954–1956 1967–1971 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Part of | Regular Army |
Nickname(s) | Americal |
Colors | Blue and white |
Engagements | World War II
|
Decorations | Frederick J. Kroesen |
Insignia | |
Distinctive unit insignia |
The Americal Division was an infantry division of the United States Army during World War II and the Vietnam War.
The division was activated 27 May 1942 on the island of
During the Vietnam War the division had a mixed record. It combined participation in numerous battles and campaigns but also in the My Lai massacre, which was committed by a platoon of the division's subordinate 11th Infantry Brigade, led by Lieutenant William Calley.
The division suffered a tactical defeat in the early morning of 28 March 1971, when Vietcong sapper commandos successfully infiltrated FSB Mary Ann. The attack destroyed key infrastructure, as well as killing 33 and wounding 83 Americans.[4]
The division was deactivated following its withdrawal from South Vietnam in November 1971.
Operations in World War II
The
Formation
As the "
The "
New Caledonia
New Caledonia, a likely target for the Japanese for its critical strategic position on the lines of communication with New Zealand and Australia and its nickel and chromium mines, was now under the control of the Free French with a poorly equipped and trained native force and a company of Australian commandos.
The United States Army was already building airfields with Australian labor on the island which according to early agreements fell into the British sphere and delegated to the Australians for defense. The French objected to the arrangement and, increasingly worried about Japanese invasion being attracted by the airfield, demanded additional American forces.
With pressing needs to build up defenses in Hawaii and Australia, Army planners decided to put together a force rather than commit an already organized division. The regiments available through the reorganization of divisions along with other elements made available a force of about 15,000 men. This force, designated Task Force 6814 and often mentioned as Poppy Force (New Caledonia was code named Poppy), under Brigadier General Alexander M. Patch, Jr. had the elements of a division and more in its composition. For example, there was a brigade headquarters from the 26th Division, two infantry regiments and a field artillery regiment along with support elements augmented by a battalion of light tanks, antiaircraft and coast artillery regiments and a pursuit squadron. The force's mission was to hold New Caledonia. It was an independent command, directly under the War Department in Washington.[5][6]
Within two weeks, despite an urgent need of shipping elsewhere and at the cost of delaying and rearranging schedules elsewhere and consultations at the head of state level, Task Force 6814 along with some 4,000 troops destined for Australia were assembled in the largest single troop convoy up until that time, designated BT-200 and totaling over 20,000 troops aboard seven transports,.[note 1] The convoy sailed from the New York Port of Embarkation on 23 January 1942[note 2] and reached Melbourne on 26 February.[5][6]
This large and critical convoy was covered by a striking group and long range air between its intended position and Japanese forces arranged by Admiral King (COMINCH) with Admiral Nimitz (CINCPAC).[7] Despite some desire locally to use the force to reinforce Australia or the Netherlands East Indies, under direct orders from Washington the force moved secretly, not even informing the French, to New Caledonia.
Transshipment of troops and equipment was completed in Melbourne and the seven transports departed on 7 March (Australian time) for New Caledonia as convoy ZK-7,[8] arriving six days later. General Patch, preceding the force by air, had arrived on 5 March with news for the French that American forces were underway. Despite having no early prospect of reinforcements, another infantry regiment arrived in April, along with the authority to organize an infantry division from elements of the overall force and, in May, the Americal Division was organized.[5][6]
On 14 March 1942, two days after the task force later to be known as the Americal Division landed in Nouméa, New Caledonia, the 182nd Infantry was detailed to provide a special unit to be called Force A for advance occupation and outpost of the New Hebrides, a group of islands lying directly across the supply to United States.
Assigned to this duty were companies L and M and attached elements from Headquarters Company, Service Company, the Medical Detachment plus a platoon of the 101st Engineers.
The total strength being in the vicinity of 480 men was under the command of Brigadier General Rose. That a brigadier general should be placed in command of two infantry rifle companies indicated the degree of importance, and hazard, that G.H.Q. placed upon the mission.[9] Mainly though it was so he could deal directly with the highest local French authorities.
The men were assembled and told that Force A and 50 Australians held the most advanced outpost of the Allied Forces in the South Pacific along with Australian forces at Port Moresby, Papua. No retreat was possible, no reinforcements could be relied on. Supply was unreliable and limited.
On 28 March 1942, a unit of Force A left an isolated coconut plantation called Euralia for Port Havanah with two 2nd lieutenants and 22 men on a small auxiliary sailboat with equipment and 10 days' rations to begin their 'guerrilla' action by gathering the native headhunters and plantation workers from the nearby islands as reinforcements.
Guadalcanal
In contrast to several other US Army divisions in the
The 164th Infantry Regiment landed on Guadalcanal on 13 October 1942 ahead of its brother regiments, as emergency reinforcement for the 1st Marine Division. The regiment was the first U.S. Army unit to engage in offensive action during World War II as part of the Battle of Guadalcanal. Between 24 and 27 October, elements of the regiment withstood repeated assaults from Japanese battalions and inflicted some two thousand enemy casualties; the 164th also supported and participated in Marine attacks. The First Marine Division's commander, Major General A. A. Vandegrift, was so impressed by the soldiers' stand that he issued a unit commendation to the regiment for having demonstrated "an overwhelming superiority over the enemy." In addition, General Vandegrift took the unusual step of awarding Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hall, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 164th, with the Navy Cross for his role in these battles. The 164th was then occasionally referred to as the '164th Marines' due to their special relationship with the Marines on Guadalcanal.
In November the 164th took part in the offensive across the Matanikau River. Other elements of the division arrived piecemeal in the last few weeks of 1942.
In January 1943, the 132nd Infantry Regiment of the division took Hill 27 and 31 of the Mount Austen complex. The division later participated in offensives to sweep Guadalcanal of remaining Japanese resistance. After the last Japanese defenders were killed, captured, or evacuated from the island, the division was relieved on 9 February 1943.
Despite its ad hoc formation, the Americal Division fought well at Guadalcanal. The 164th Regiment took part in repulsing a major Japanese offensive in October 1942, while the 132nd Regiment, along with the 25th Infantry Division assaulted the highly fortified Japanese Gifu defensive complex at
Bougainville
The division next moved to the Fiji Islands, beginning 5 March 1943, to assume the defense of the main island of Viti Levu and to engage in extensive training.
During the period 25 December 1943 to 12 January 1944 the Americal Division landed on
Warned by intelligence, they met a massive and sustained Japanese counter-attack, which began on 7 March 1944. Despite ample warning and thorough defensive preparations, the battle soon degenerated into a bitter, close-quarters infantry affair, with artillery restricted by the need to avoid friendly troops and tanks unable to reach the scene. The 37th and Americal Divisions stood firm, and by 25 March, the Japanese were forced to retreat. It was the last Japanese ground offensive in the South Pacific.
The division went on the offensive in March 1944, driving the Japanese east of Mavavia River, 7–9 April 1944, and seizing numerous strategic hill bases during the remainder of the month. Training and long-range patrol activity continued until 30 November 1944 when the division was relieved.
Philippines
On 8 January 1945, the division began movement to
Training continued on Cebu for the proposed invasion of Japan, but the Japanese surrendered on 14 August 1945. On 10 September 1945, the Americal Division landed in Japan and took part in the occupation of the Yokohama–Kawasaki–Yokosuka area.
Casualties
- Total battle casualties: 4,050[11]
- Killed in action: 981[11]
- Wounded in action: 3,052[11]
- Missing in action: 16[11]
- Prisoner of war: 1[11]
Postwar
The division returned to the United States on 21 November 1945, and was inactivated on 12 December 1945 at Fort Lewis, Washington State. It was reactivated on 1 December 1954 as the 23rd Infantry Division, retaining the name "Americal" as part of its official designation. On 2 December 1954 the 65th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the division. The 23rd Division encompassed geographically-separated units in the Caribbean region. On 10 April 1956, the 65th Infantry Regiment was inactivated at Camp Losey, Puerto Rico, and relieved from assignment to the 23d, which itself was inactivated.
The division served in the Panama Canal Zone until 10 April 1956, when it was again inactivated.
Vietnam
The division was reactivated 25 September 1967 at
The division suffered an important defeat at the
The division became notorious after its 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry (11th Infantry Brigade) led by Lieutenant
Brigadier General John W. Donaldson was later tried for shooting civilians from helicopters on 13 separate incidents. Donaldson was the highest-ranking officer to undergo court-martial during the war, but charges were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence.
On 28 March 1971, Vietcong sappers attacked Firebase Mary Ann, which was being transferred by the 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment to the ARVN, resulting in 33 US/ARVN killed.[4]
The 198th and 11th Brigades were withdrawn from Vietnam in November 1971, and the division was inactivated. The 196th Brigade was reconstituted as a separate brigade and remained in Vietnam until 29 June 1972, the last major combat unit to be withdrawn. Its 3rd Battalion, 21st infantry (Gimlets) was the last U.S. maneuver battalion to leave Vietnam, on 23 August 1972.
Insignia
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the Americal Division on 20 December 1943. It was redesignated for the 23d Infantry Division on 4 November 1954. On 14 December 1967 the distinctive unit insignia was approved.[16]
The shoulder sleeve insignia's four white stars on a blue field are symbolic of the Southern Cross under which the organization has served. The blue color stands for infantry.[16]
On the distinctive unit insignia, the blue saltire (cross of St. Andrew) alludes to New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific where the division was created and first activated on 27 May 1942. Each of the four white stars stands for the
Commanders
MG
Notable former members
- Nicky Daniel Bacon, Medal of Honor recipient 26 August 1968 action
- Rocky Bleier, wounded 20 August 1969 recovered to play in the NFL
- My Lai Massacre
- Joseph Cresenz, Medal of Honor recipient 20 November 1968 action
- Kern Wayne Dunagan, Medal of Honor recipient 13 May 1969 action
- Jesse R. Drowley, Medal of Honor recipient 30 January 1944 action
- Bill Hardiman
- Woodrow W. (Woody) Keeble, Medal of Honor recipient 20 Oct 1951 actions
- Charles Kettles, 1967–1970, Medal of Honor recipient 15 May 1967 action
- Tracy Kidder, 1968–69
- GEN U.S. Army EuropeCommander
- Frederick Lippitt
- Finnis Dawson McCleery, Medal of Honor recipient 14 May 1968 action
- Thomas Joseph McMahon, Medal of Honor recipient 19 March 1969 action
- My Lai Massacre
- Marc W. Miller
- Robert Charles Murray, Medal of Honor recipient 14 May 1969 action
- Tim O'Brien, 1969–70
- Colin Powell, 1968–70, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Robert Joseph Pruden, Medal of Honor recipient 29 November 1969 action
- Tom Ridge, 1969–70
- H. Norman Schwarzkopf, 1969–70
- James McCloughan, Medal of Honor recipient 13–15 May 1969 action
- Daniel John Shea, Medal of Honor recipient 14 May 1969 action
- Donald Paul Sloat, Medal of Honor recipient 17 January 1970 action
- Lester Raymond Stone, Jr., Medal of Honor recipient 3 March 1969 action
- James Allen Taylor, Medal of Honor recipient 9 November 1967 action
- Hugh Thompson Jr., awarded Soldiers Medal (30 years later) for his role in stopping the My Lai massacre.
- David Francis Winder, Medal of Honor recipient 13 May 1970 action
- Patrick Henry Brady, attached to Americal-Medal of Honor recipient 6 January 1968 action
- Joseph G. Clemons, of Pork Chop Hill fame
Footnotes
- ^ The transports were: Argentina (1929) 20,614 GRT, Cristobal (1939) 10,021 GRT, USAT J . W. McAndrew (1940) 7,997 GRT, John Ericsson (1928) 16,552 GRT, Santa Elena (1933) 9,135 GRT, Santa Rosa (1932) 9,135 GRT and USAT Thomas H. Barry (1930) 11,250 GRT.
- ^ The date commonly given. Some sources, particularly Leighton & Coakley, state "cleared New York Harbor late on the 22d" so it is possible there is some confusion in GMT/local time references.
References
- ^ Williams 1960, p. 39.
- ^ U.S. Army Center of Military History, Force Structure and Unit History Branch 2008.
- ^ Stanton, Shelby. The Rise and Fall of an American Army. Presidio Press, 1985. page 186.
- ^ OCLC 647013278.
- ^ a b c Morton 1962, pp. 204–212.
- ^ a b c Leighton & Coakley 1955–1968, pp. 177–185.
- ^ Nimitz & Steele 1942, 311606 Jan COMINCH TO CINCPAC.
- ^ Gill 1968, p. 6.
- ^ comment from the source, a personal diary of 2nd Lieutenant R.M. Whittet 1941–1944 A 330391
- ^ "Component Elements of the Infantry Divisions in World War II". United States Army. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Army Battle Casualties and Nonbattle Deaths, Final Report (Statistics and Analysis Branch, Office of the Adjutant General, 1 June 1953)
- ^ "Department of the Army General Order 42" (PDF). US Army. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ "My Lai Massacre". History.com. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ Goodman, Amy. "Hugh Thompson's Crewmember Remembers Helping to Stop the My Lai Massacre". Democracy Now. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ Stout, David (11 February 2006). "Gen. S.W. Koster, 86, Who Was Demoted After My Lai, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ a b c Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The Institute of Heraldry. 23d Infantry Division Archived 2 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 11 May 2012.
Sources
- Gill, G. Hermon (1968). Royal Australian Navy 1939–1942. Australia in the War of 1939–1945. Series 2 – Navy. Vol. 2. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
- Leighton, Richard M; Coakley, Robert W (1955–1968). The War Department – Global Logistics And Strategy 1940–1943. United States Army in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 55-60001.
- Morton, Louis (1962). The War in the Pacific—Strategy and Command: The First Two Years. United States Army in World War II. Washington, D. C.: Center of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 61-60001.
- Nimitz, Chester W., Admiral (USN); Steele, James M., Captain (USN) (1942). 'Gray Book' – War Plans and Files of the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet; Running Estimate and Summary maintained by Captain James M. Steele, USN, CINCPAC staff at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, covering the period 7 December 1941–31 August 1942 (PDF). Vol. 1 of 8 volumes. Operational Archives, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Stanton, Shelby L. (1985). The Rise and Fall of an American Army. Presidio Press.
- U.S. Army Center of Military History, Force Structure and Unit History Branch (29 May 2008). "Americal (Infantry) Division". Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
- Whittet, R.M. (1941). Force A of the Americal 1941–1944. Boston: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts testimonial Governor Maurice Tobin.
- Williams, Mary H. (1960). Chronology 1941–1945. United States Army in World War II. Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, United States Army. LCCN 59-60002.
Further reading
- Americal Division: Under the Southern Cross. Turner Pub. 1996. OCLC 38092324.
- Eric Bergerud, Touched with Fire: the Land War in the South Pacific, Penguin, 1996. ISBN 0-14-024696-7
- Chesley, Raymond G. (1996). Surrender, Armistice: Grandpa's War Stories. R.G. Chesley. OCLC 37293105.
- Cronin, Francis D. (1951). Under the Southern Cross – The Saga of the Americal Division. Washington, D.C.: Combat Forces Press. ISBN 0-394-58875-4.
- George, John B. (2012). Shots Fired in Anger: A Rifleman's-Eye View of the Activities on the Island of Guadalcanal, in the Solomons, During the Elimination of the Japanese Forces There by the American Army Under General Patch Whose Troops Included the 132nd Infantry of the Illinois National Guard, a Combat Unit of the Americal Division. Buford, Georgia: Canton Street Press. OCLC 828482684.
- Teglia, Kenneth F. (2012). Lamb in a Jungle: Conscience and Consequence in the Vietnam War. War Journal Publishing. OCLC 830634831.