81st Infantry Division (United States)

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Current badge of the 81st Infantry Division
First badge of the 81st US Infantry Division during the First World War

The 81st Infantry Division ( German  81st US Infantry Division ) was a major unit of the US Army in the First and Second World Wars . Her nickname was Wildcat Division , her slogan was " Wildcats Never Quit ". As a shoulder badge, they wore a black wild cat on a gray-brown background.

history

First World War

During the First World War, the division was activated in September 1917 and relocated to Europe in August 1918 . Their main area of ​​operation was France . The division took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive . 195 members of the 81st US Infantry Division died in World War I and 909 were wounded. On June 11, 1919, the division was dissolved in Hoboken , New Jersey .

Second World War

Major General Paul J. Mueller

On June 15, 1942, the division was set up again and moved to the Pacific region on July 3, 1944 . She was involved in the battle for the Palau Islands (Peleliu, Angaur, Ulithi ), the reconquest of the Philippines and the Allied occupation of Japan .

The division under Major General Paul Mueller was in combat for 166 days. A total of 2314 dead and wounded were recorded. Soldiers of this division were u. a. Awarded seven Distinguished Service Crosses , two Distinguished Service Medals , 281 Silver Stars and seven Legion of Merit . The 81st Infantry Division was disbanded in Japan on January 30, 1946.

Commanders

  • Brigade General Charles H. Barth (August 25 - October 8, 1917)
  • Major General Charles J. Bailey (October 8, 1917 - November 11, 1918)
  • Major General Gustave H. Franke (June - August 1942)
  • Major General Paul J. Mueller (August 1942–1945)

Web links