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34TH INFANTRY DIVISION
World War I
Activated: October 1917 (National Guard
Division, troops from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota). Overseas:
Most of the division personnel was sent to other organizations. Commanders:
Maj. Gen. A. P. Blacksom (25 August 1917), Brig. Gen. F. G. Mauldin (18
September 1917), Maj. Gen. A. P. Blacksom (10 December 1917), Brig. Gen.
F. G. Mauldin (8 May 1918), Brig. Gen. J. A. Johnston (4 July 1918), Brig..
Gen. John A. Johnston - (26 October 1918). Returned to U. S.: December
1918.
World War II
Activated: 10 February 1941 (National, Guard
Division from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota). Overseas:
May 1942. Campaigns: Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, North Apennines,
Po River. Days of combat: 500. Distinguished Unit Citations: 3. Awards:
MH-9 ; DSC-6 ; DSM-2 ; SS-1,153 ; LM-6; SM-54 ; BS-M2,545. Commanders:
Maj. Gen. Ellard A. Walsh (February-August 1941), Maj. Gen. Russell P.
Hartle (August 1941-May 1942), Maj. Gen. Charles W. Ryder (May 1942-July
1944), Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte (July 1944 to inactivation). Returned
to U. S.: 3 November 1945. Inactivated: 3 November 1945. (See National
Guard.)
Combat Chronicle
After continuing its training in Ireland,
the 34th Infantry Division saw its first combat in the North African invasion,
8 November 1942, landing at Algiers and seizing the port and outlying airfields.
Elements of the Division took part in numerous subsequent engagements in
Tunisia during the Allied build-up, notably at Sened Station, Paid Pass,
Sbeitla, and Fondouk Gap. In April 1943 the Division assaulted Hill 609,
capturing it on 1 May 1943, and then drove through Chouigui Pass to Tebourba
and Ferryville. The Division then trained for the Salerno landing. The
151st FA Bn. went in on D-day, 9 September 1943, at Salerno, while the
rest of the Division followed on 25 September. Contacting the enemy at
the Calore River, 28 September 1943, the 34th drove north to take Benevento,
crossed the winding Volturno three times in October and November, assaulted
Mount Patano and took one of its four peaks before being relieved, 9 December
1943. In January 1944, the Division drove into the Gustav line, took Mount
Trocchio after a bitter fight, pushed across the Rapido, attacked Monastery
Hill, and fought its way into Cassino, being relieved 13 February 1944.
After rest and rehabilitation, it landed in the Anzio beachhead, 25 March
1944, maintaining defensive positions until the offensive of 23 May, when
it broke out of the beachhead, took Cisterna, and raced to Civitavecchia
and Rome. After a short rest, the Division drove across the Cecina River
to liberate Livorno, 19 July 1944, and continued on to take Mount Belmonte
in October. Digging in south of Bologna for the winter, the 34th jumped
off, 15 April 1945, and captured Bologna on 21 April. Pursuit of the routed
enemy was halted, 2 May, with the German surrender in Italy.
General
Nicknames: Red Bull Division. Slogan: Attack,
Attack, Attack! Shoulder patch: A bovine skull, in red, on an olla (Mexican
water flask) of black. Association: 34th Infantry Division Association,
Argonne Armory, Des Moines 9, Iowa. Publication: Story of the 34th Division
from Louisiana to Pisa; by unit members; TI&E, MTOUSA ; distributor,
The Adjutant General of Iowa, Des Moines 18, Iowa; 1945.
[Nota Bene: These combat chronicles,
current as of October 1948, are reproduced from The Army Almanac: A Book
of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing
Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.]
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