Sailing from Borgen Bay, 9 December 1944, the Division made an assault landing at Lingayen, Luzon, under command of XIV Corps, on 9 January 1945. They almost succeeded. In 30 days, you could find yourself overseas somewhere. Maj. Sergio Porras, the operations sergeant major for the 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. A month later, the 40th Infantry Division was told to begin mobilizing for Korea. “The one big thing that stands out that I don’t think I really appreciated when I was in the 82nd is that the 40th Infantry Division is made up of citizen-Soldiers in the true sense,” Gonzales said. It was first organized May 8, 1861 as the band of the First California Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Japanese staff studies captured in the battles showed how much respect they had for the 40th Division, Delk wrote. His group met with local farmers about their crop output in the area and gathered soil samples to learn how crop production might be increased in the area. UNION IOWA VOLUNTEERS 40th Regiment, Iowa Infantry Overview: Organized at Iowa City and mustered in November 15, 1862. On 29 March, it landed at Pulupandan, Negros, advanced through Bacolod toward Talisay, which it secured by 2 April 1945. One of the earliest examples of this was the riot at Folsom State Prison in 1927. Training continued as defensive positions were improved and maintained. On 20 December 1943, the first units left for Guadalcanal, and by mid-January 1944, movement was completed, and the Division prepared for its first combat assignment. People gave us keys to their stores in case we needed anything at night,” he said. The veterans of the 24th Division looked physically tired and emotionally beat. Maj. Javier Becerra). At the end of the fighting, the division was credited with killing or capturing 6,145 Japanese on Luzon, and with killing or capturing 4,732 Japanese on Panay and Negros. The 40th Infantry Division was organized at Camp Kearny, near San Diego, California, on 16 September 1917, originally designated as the 19th Division. 41st Infantry Division. “They have an outside life. Usually ships within 2 to 3 days. Timothy Kennedy of the 40th ID works side by side with soldiers from the Australian army and a U.S. Marine in July 2011 during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 at Kokoda Barracks, Queensland, Australia. “The division was proud of their first real combat,” he wrote. Soldiers from the 40th Infantry Division fight during the Korean War. Snake Hill and Storm King Mountain were taken in February and the 40th was relieved, 2 March. “One of the things we’ve been mandated to do is talk to our local police department, our first responders, and have that relationship with them, to see what their needs are if something does happen. The Regiments of the Division took positions at Talasea on the northern side of the island, at Arawe on the southern side, and at Gape Gloucester near the western end. The 40th Inf Div sector was the Division symbol 4th from the right. “All the people thought we were going to kill them. In January 1952, the members of the 40th Division were sent to Pusan, South Korea, to begin relieving the 24th Division on the front lines. “By the middle of January (1943), the movement of the division from Oahu, Hawaii, had been completed,” Delk wrote. The Army and Navy Publishing Company and Walter P. Story | Jan 1, 1941. “Many Soldiers would recall this period in Korea as the coldest time of their lives. On Dec. 1, 1944, Maj. Gen. Rapp Brush sent the following message to the Soldiers of the 40th Division: “We are now entering the most important period in our lives and in the history of our division. Sgt. Email your submission by clicking on this link Submit to the NCO Journal or the button below. “The 40th Division was tasked with moving these unfortunate civilians and for guarding their possessions. (Photo courtesy of the California State Military History Museum). Hopefully we’ll pass it along.”. I think the bottom line is we have to teach our young Soldiers the history, because one day, the division is going to be gone. Email The index does not reflect updates to the Guide. Claim your profile for free. On September 1st, 1950 the 40th Infantry Division was called to active service to fight in the Korean War. There was no more violence. He then crafted a replica of the ‘Punch Bowl,’ which was delivered with a ladle to the division several months later.”. During 342 days of combat in Korea, the 40th Division had 376 men killed in combat, 1,457 wounded in action and three Medals of Honor awarded. Remembering the difficult battles of the past and how hard Soldiers had it is also a good source of inspiration, Porras said. Historical and Pictorial Review : 40th Infantry Division Army of the United States (San Luis Obispo, California 1941) by Inc. No major battle was fought. “Good luck and God bless you. Mustered in: June 21,1861 Mustered out: June 27, 1865. Seizing Lingayen airfield, the Division occupied Bolinao Peninsula and San Miguel, and advanced toward Manila, running into heavy fighting in the Fort Stotsenburg area and the Bambam Hills. “In the words of the Japanese staff officers, ‘The American ability to organize and deliver hard-driving assaults and their alertness in meeting our night raids was astonishing,’” he wrote. (Photo courtesy of the California State Military History Museum). “The artisan was given a relief map and told what was desired. “As advertised, the troops found the sub-zero weather bitterly cold,” Delk wrote. Constituted 15 May 1917 in the Regular Army as the 40th Infantry. Login. 40th Infantry Division. Summary Programs + Results Financials Operations. We kept expecting an invasion from Japan.”. Maj. Javier Becerra, right, poses with a Los Angeles business owner after the 40th Infantry Division secured the streets after the riots in 1992 that started after the Rodney King verdict. There were coconuts everywhere, planted primarily by the Proctor & Gamble Co., and the heavy coconuts falling 60 or 70 feet could be deadly.”. JFTB. They are civilians, and then when they are called upon, they put on the uniform and serve. “When the division arrived in France in August 1918, the Germans had just completed a series of offensives that started on March 21 and ended on July 15,” Sebby wrote. The album measures 8.5 x 12 inches and is bound with aluminum pins and hard cover. Though the attack never came, members of the 40th Division were tasked with rounding up civilians of Japanese descent living in California to relocate them to internment camps. Sunburst. The US Army’s premier multimedia organization that focuses on advancing the ideas and insights military professionals need to lead and succeed. Units of other services or other nationalities are indicated as such on each entry. Indeed, it was. Later, during the Korean War, Brig. The 40th Infantry Division's first oversea assignment was the defense of outer islands of Hawaii, where it arrived in September 1942. We’re actually planning a broad spectrum, from terrorist attacks to anytime local governments need support,” Porras said. The NCOs of the 40th Infantry Division said they are proud of their history and use it to inspire their service in the present. Brian Boisvert), “It was soon decided that the new division’s nickname would be the ‘Sunshine Division,’ since its patch was a sun on a field of blue,” Sebby wrote. 69th Infantry Division. Its division headquarters is located at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, … The work continues as NCOs ensure Soldiers of the 40th Infantry Division are ready for whatever hits California next, said Sgt. It maintained only two officers and thirty enlisted men per company as training cadre. 100th anniversary. My Account. OPTIONS Register/Login to Download; LEAVE A COMMENT Issue: 24/7 Technical Operations Center. Los Alamitos, CA 90720. “My regiment, the 184th, guarded from the Mexican border all the way up to Oceanside (Calif.). Telephone calls and announcements over the radio were made. I have the utmost confidence in you. After mopping up on Negros Island, the Division returned to Panay in June and July 1945. “We got the mission to guard the whole West Coast,” Whaley said. 4506 Doolittle Ave, Bldg 37. “That’s all around the coin. Sgt. They said they hadn’t had the feeling of peace on the streets where they could walk at night. The offical web site of the U.S. Army Bands Program. Soldiers from the 40th ID arrive at Malaybalay, Mindanao, Phillippines, May 26, 1945. Air Force Units Army Units Coast Guard Units Marine Corps Units Navy Units Become a VetFriends Member Site Map. They may not have a song or a famous motto, but the 40th Infantry Division has a full, important history of protecting the citizens of California and the nation. By March 1, 1945, the enemy had been successfully driven into the mountains, Delk wrote. The 40th Infantry Division's first oversea assignment was the defense of outer islands of Hawaii, where it arrived in September 1942. In July 1943 the Division was concentrated on Oahu, and relieved the 24th of the defense of the North Sector. 1st Class Edward Gonzales, personnel service NCO for the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion of the 40th Infantry Division, said the history he sees at Los Alamitos each day inspires him. 40th Infantry Regiment Civil War Mozart Regiment; United States Constitution Guard. Heavy rain and mud were constant problems. Marked on the cover page: 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS. “The history of the 40th Infantry Division has affected me because I like to know about the men who have gone before me,” Gonzales said. On April 20, 1919, the division stood down. But the minute the division got involved and was on the ground, everything ceased. It’s pretty inspirational, and in my battalion, I try to teach my junior NCOs, ‘Hey, this is important, and here are the reasons why. San Diego Armory ... 4th Infantry Division Active Component 38th Infantry Division Indiana Army National Guard 34th Infantry Division Minnesota Army National Guard 25th Infantry Division Active Component 29th Infantry Division Virginia Army National Guard This organization has not appeared on the IRS Business Master File in a number of months. “In the division, there are a lot of really proud Soldiers who really wear the patch with pride,” Becerra said. THIS IS IT!”. The 40th Infantry "Sunshine" Division was converted to the 6th Depot Division on August 20, 1918. 70th Infantry Division. On 24 April 1944, it left Guadalcanal for New Britain. I came off of active duty from the 82nd [Airborne Division]; when joining this unit, I realized that we had just as much glory and honor as the 82nd had during the Second World War. Hardcover In July 1943 the Division was concentrated on Oahu, and relieved the 24th of the defense of the North Sector. 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION. 800-336-5225. Is this your nonprofit? Emily Suhr). The website invites its visitors to download the Order of Battle, which the KWE did, with appreciation to the 40th Infantry Division Society.] Recent cutbacks in the division had Becerra thinking about more ways to preserve and honor the sacrifice of those who have come before. Its well-known nickname and patch were created soon after, Sgt. It may have merged with another organization or ceased operations. By the day after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, elements of the 40th Division were sent to various strategic locations in Southern California to defend against what many thought would be an imminent attack. The 40th ID was created on Sept. 16, 1917, from National Guard units from California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. “Of course we didn’t accept, but just the thought. “These gentlemen have put their lives on the line for us before we even got here, and some of the stories they tell us, they really had it hard. “I think it’s important that our Soldiers know that they come from a long line,” Gonzales said. And to think that we’ve been doing that ever since the First World War, it’s impressive how the members of this division quickly train up and take their part in history. “The 40th Division has always been headquartered in the most disaster-prone state in the nation,” Delk wrote. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. In April 1992, the division was called to protect the people of California during the riots that erupted after four Los Angeles police officers were found not guilty in the beating of Rodney King. Neutralization of the enemy was effected by patrols. By December 1944, the Soldiers of the 40th Infantry Division were preparing to depart toward the Philippines for their first major battles of the war, Delk wrote. Known simply as the 40th Division (there were not yet cavalry or armored divisions) it was made up of National Guard unit from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Relieved from the 14th Division February 1919. Later, the 40th Division replaced the 45th Infantry Division in the Heartbreak Ridge-Sandbag Castle area before a truce was declared on July 27, 1953. I witnessed it; I was there. “When we were on the streets, I remember people coming up to us and giving us food. 40th ID. I feel that we are fully prepared to meet this test and bring the operation to a speedy and successful conclusion. MILITARY UNITS - 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION VetFriends Veteran ID Card Quick Links. 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