Amidst the rush by america to mobilize, individual states competed with each other for the honor to be the first to send their national guard units to fight in the trenches of europe. Distinguished unit citation to 1st battalion, 242nd infantry for action jan. Master sergeant vito bertoldo, a company 1st battalion 222 infantry regiment 42d infantry division received the medal of honor for his action in hatten, france 910 january 1945. I am really interested in the history if the unit my grandfather was in. The correspondence is that of soldiers, veterans, and their families, and relates primarily to the activities of the division and of the association. Formation of the rainbow division was authorized on august 1, 1917, less than two months after creation of the aefs first operational division, the 1st us infantry division, the big red one. The first rainbow division was composed of national guard units from 27 states and it was this collection of men which inspired general douglas macarthur, its most famous member, to declare. Defending a 31mile sector along the rhine, north and south of strasbourg, the task force repulsed a number of enemy counterattacks, at hatten and elsewhere. The division headquarters is a unit of the new york army national guard. The big picture nd42 rainbow division sergeant stuart queen. First 19 pages cover the combat history of the unit. 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. Aug 04, 2017 do not miss an opportunity to see this band play. Nice unit history of the 2nd battalion, 242nd infantry regiment, 42nd rainbow division.
The 42nd infantry division stretches like a rainbow from one end of america to the other. Frank roth huntington, field artillery, rainbow division, decatur county was firing a six inch howitzer gun when it blew up causing my injuries wounded in the left forearm and thigh at baccarat, lorraine sector at the same time killing paul cross and bernard hurst of shelbyville, indiana. Rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. The combat route the 42nd infantry division took was designed to look like a rainbow on this map, in honor of the division s nickname. The 42nd infantry rainbow division in wwii by walt cross. The 242nd infantry s most notable member was vito r.
Rabbi bohnen joined the us army in 1943 and served as assistant chaplain with the 42nd infantry division at the rank of major. Angered by the sight of it, we hauled down that nazi flag and burned it. The museums collections document the fate of holocaust victims, survivors, rescuers, liberators, and others through artifacts, documents, photos, films, books, personal stories, and more. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. Mihiel, esay sector, meuse argonne, kriemhilde stellung hill. The first rainbow division was composed of national guard units from 27 states and it was this collection of men which inspired general douglas macarthur. The rainbow alludes to the shoulder sleeve insignia of the division and spanning across two fleursdelis symbolize their combat service in france during both world war i and world war ii. Wwii 42nd infantry division shoulder patch rainbow. Character sketches and history of the first battalion 166th infantry, 42nd division, american expeditionary force classic reprint by alison reppy feb 10, 2017 3. It is a history made possible not by individual achievement, but by the combined. The division landed in france in december 1944, crossed the german border in march 1945, and liberated dachau concentration camp on april 29, 1945. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave. The 242nd infantry regiment was a formation of the united states army. Ferdinand foch ordered the 42nd rainbow division to drive northeast on july 25.
Soldiers of the 45th infantry division were the first to arrive at dachau. Defending a 31mile sector along the rhine, north and south of strasbourg, the task force repulsed a. This book is a wonderful companion to other books about wwii. Rainbow division in 1917 men were selected from various units of the national guard of 26 states and the district of columbia to form a truly representative division with a view towards bringing the war home to the people. Originally named the 4th alabama infantry regiment in honor of a famous civil war unit by that name it was renamed the 167th united states infantry when the us entered the war.
The rainbow division, famous in world war i history, was hailed by newspapers upon its going overseas in nov. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. A world war ii hero of the rainbow division will be featured in a netflix series about medal of honor recipients. Apr 03, 2017 the 42nd infantry rainbow division s history began with americas entry into world war i. Organized as part of the 42nd infantry division during world war ii, the regiment took part in fighting against the germans and performed postwar occupation duty in austria. To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, im or document to embed the entire object, paste this html in website to link to this page, paste this link in email, im or document to embed this page, paste this html in website. The 42nd infantry division has served in world war i, world. The 42d infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard.
Jerrica bosch assigned to the 1st battalion 258th field artillery part of the 27th infantry brigade combat team stands ready to confirm registration at the entry control point of the bronxlehman college covid19 testing site in new york city on. I am currently using this book as a source for a masters thesis on the 23rd infantry regiment, which was one of the regiments assigned to the 2nd infantry division during world war ii. The rainbow division 42nd infantry division was the premier national guard division to fight on the western front in the great war. This book is the divisional history for the 2nd infantry division in the european theater of operations during world war ii.
Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone. That unit had been formed by the amalgamation of regular army units. It lays out the steps leading up to the battle of hatten to the liberation of dachau. Are you sure you want to remove 42nd rainbow infantry division from your list. The big picture nd42 rainbow division national archives. The 42nd landed in france in december 1944 and as part of the 7th army, advanced through france and entered germany in march of 1945. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore armory in troy, n. This is a history of the combat infantry, of the artillery, the reconnaissance troop, the medical and engineer battalions, the signal, ordnance and quartermaster companies and of the division. The sun, adapted from the seal of the state of new york, refers to the location and home area of the 42nd infantry division.
Pressing his retreat, you cleared the entire left bank of the meuse south of sedan, and then stormed the heights on the right bank and drove him into the plain beyond. The item 42nd infantry division, rainbow represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in indiana state library. The 42nd infantry division was created in august 1917, just months after the united states entered world war i, and was sent overseas to france in november. To check the negative implications of this competition and to minimize the impact the mobilization could have upon any. Following the end of wwi, the officers of the rainbow division formed the rainbow division veterans association, which eventually became the rainbow division veterans foundation, a 501 c3 nonprofit corporation. Was the rainbow division tarnished by its battlefield. To this day the foundation holds a memorial service called the champagne hour to commemorate this famous battle, and the sacrifices that have been made in all rainbow action. Rainbow division that represented the united states formed in. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york. The rainbow established somewhat of a reputation for battlefield savagery, particularly at croix rouge farm in the marne salient of 1918, and during the champagnemarne defensive of 15 july 1918. This history of the rainbow is a record of the accomplishments of every man who served in the division. July 17, 2012 members of the 42nd infantry rainbow division from world war ii, the cold war, iraq and today, gathered to share stories and military experiences with one another. Combat history of the second infantry division in world war. Flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world.
Search below to view digital records and find material that you can access at our library and at the shapell center. Taber is an extremely focused and balanced account of an officer with the 42nd division in france and germany. The 42nd infantry division has served in world war i, world war ii and the global war on terrorism gwot. By eric durr, new york state division of military and naval affairs july 24, 2017. World war ii footage includes the division s crossing of the siegfried line,battle of the bulge, battles into german and austrian cities, and the 42nd s liberation of. American officers from the 42nd rainbow division browse. The 42nd infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard. Collins, then brigadier general, recalled the words of general macarthur on that.
Internet archive bookreader 42nd rainbow infantry division. In 1943, the rainbow division was reactivated for duty and deployed to europe in december 1944, when it landed in the french port of marseille. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. See more ideas about world war, division and ww2 history.
Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. This item is available to borrow from 1 library branch. The 1st infantry division is a combined arms division of the united states army, and is the oldest continuously serving in the regular army. To anyone who was around in those exciting days of world war i, when the victorious troops were coming home to parades up fifth avenue and main streets throughout the country, the name 42nd rainbow division rings a bell loud and clear. Bertoldo, who received the medal of honor for heroism in combat near hatten, france in january 1945. Wwi rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. The two document i have has him in the 167 infantry. After the war rainbow division reunions were big news, books about the rainbow division sold. I am a desendant of a ww1 vet in the 42 rainbow division. Return to table of contents rainbow division in 1917 men were selected from various units of the national guard of 26 states and the district of columbia to form a truly representative division with a view towards bringing the war home to the people. National guards 42nd division goes on attack in wwi at. Now offered for your consideration is this history and photo yearbook of the rainbow division the 42 nd infantry division of the united states army during wwii where they fought in germany. Task force linden composed of three regiments and detachment of division headquarters of 42d infantry division. During its time in france the rainbow division participated in six major campaigns and suffered over 50% casualties.
Wwii rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. Made up of units from 26 states and the district of columbia, the rainbow was a unique attempt to combine units from every section of the nation and to get them to france as quickly as possible. The 42nd infantry division the holocaust encyclopedia. The 42nd infantry division received the name rainbow division in 1917 during its organization at camp mills, long island, new york. It is perhaps the first time publication of a ww1 diary in decades and provides a clear account of the war at the individual level by an officer who spoke.
Armys 42nd infantry division stood its ground during world war ii allyn vannoy it was bitter cold with a foot of snow on the ground and no moonlight the night of january 24, 1945, as the green gis of the 42nd rainbow division s 222nd infantry regiment strained to. Mr, hansult wrote this about his father and the 42nd rainbow infantry division that he served with in europe during ww2. Cafepress brings your passions to life with the perfect item for every occasion. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york the division headquarters is a unit of the new york army national guard. Assigned to vi corps, seventh army, the task force entered combat in the vicinity of strasbourg, relieving elements of the 36th infantry division, 24 december 1944. To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, im or document to embed the entire object, paste this html in website to link to this page, paste this link in email, im or document. Ww1 42 rainbow, 167 infantry soldiers and their units. The items within the rdva records document the activities and history of the 42nd rainbow division and of the rainbow division veterans association from 1917 to 2000. Jul 24, 2017 rainbow division that represented the united states formed in new york in august 1917. It is the story of his contribution to the safety and security of the people of his country and of the world. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave echoed through the decades, through the.
Once again there was a rainbow division in the army and this time, even more than before. Rainbow division that represented the united states formed. Come check out our giant selection of tshirts, mugs, tote bags, stickers and more. Free returns 100% satisfaction guarantee fast shipping. National guards 42nd division goes on attack in wwi at chateau thierry. The nickname rainbow division represented the diversity of men grouped into one division as. The 42nd infantry rainbow division s history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. Official story of the 166th infantry, 42nd division, in the world war wwi cheseldine, r. Army 2nd bn 242nd inf 42nd division unit history book. The rainbow attacked there with all regiments abreast on october 14, 1918.
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