81st Infantry Division (United States)
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
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
- 81st Regional Support Command (English)
- Wildcat Division according to army.mil (English)