After its reactivation and service in wwii from 19431946, the division reverted to its national guard roots and the final authorization for wear of the shoulder. Except for the division headquarters, none of its earlier elements had reformed in the interwar period, so the army ground forces filled its new units with personnel from every state. If anything, we tend to grade lower than we should. Wwii 42nd infantry division shoulder patch rainbow. Apr 03, 2017 the 42nd infantry rainbow division s history began with americas entry into world war i. Angered by the sight of it, we hauled down that nazi flag and burned it. His son, bruce petersen, wrote in an email to me that as was the case with many ww ii veterans, he would rarely talk about the war, and then only give us very brief. The sun, adapted from the seal of the state of new york, refers to the location and home area of the 42nd infantry division. May 10, 2017 the historic 42nd infantry division, headquartered with the new york army national guard, welcomed a new commander saturday in a ceremony held in front of the new york state capitol. Liberator 42nd rainbow division, 232 infantry, e company 19211975 my father, john petro, served in the european theater of operations during world war ii where he was awarded the bronze star. Apr 25, 2010 vernon lawrence larry petersen was a technical sergeant in the 42nd rainbow division of the us seventh army during ww ii.
The 42nd division was not organized as a national guard division after world war i. Through a memorial in france, educational programs and. One of a series of nearly 800 negatives from the 222nd that i acquired last year. 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 headquarters personnel world war ii operational documents. 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. 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 42nd infantry division stretches like a rainbow from one end of america to the other. The wwii combat route the 42nd infantry division took was designed to look like a rainbow on this map, in honor of the division s nickname. On 8 september 1947, it was authorized for the postworld war ii 42nd infantry division when it was reactivated as a national guard. Roster of the rainbow division fortysecond major general wm.
Wwii germany, januarymay 1945 launched last week at a very special event. Wwii veteran recalls rough memories powder springs resident pete hardy served in the armys 42nd rainbow division, participating in the battle of the bulge and witnessing the notorious dachau. The best feature of all is the original hand painted rainbow for the 42nd infantry division. Insignia of the 42nd rainbow division, 1985, by rainbow division veterans association.
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. Army 2nd bn 242nd inf 42nd division unit history book. Rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. 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. May 14, 2007 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 dachau concentration camp and. Collins, commander of the 42nd infantry division rainbow during ww ii. On the next day it was announced that the command would become part of the 42nd rainbow division and on august 28, 1917 a force of 3,677 officers and men left montgomery on eight trains for camp mills on long island to join its new division. Rainbow reactivation when formed and activated for world war ii, the 42id was a unique unit, as it was a reconstitution of the rainbow division from world war i. This history of the rainbow is a record of the accomplishments of every man who served in the division. The nickname stuck and troops at camp mills, near garden city, long island, soon began to make their own versions of the rainbow as a unit insignia. 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. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave. The 42nd infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard. This vintage map chart the journey of the 42nd infantry division throughout europe during world war ii.
Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Fort hoodthe commander of the new york army national guards 42nd infantry division major general steven ferrari left and division command sergeant major corey cush officially case the units colors at fort hood texas on march 1 2020this ceremony involves the divisions colors or flag being covered until the unit arrives overseas for their deployment where it. 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. The rainbow division 42nd infantry division was the premier national guard division to fight on the western front in the great war. Now offered for your consideration is this history of the rainbow division the 42 nd infantry division of the united states army during wwii where they fought in germany. Collins and the rainbow division began its first day of combat as a unit in world war ii. The nickname rainbow division represented the diversity of men grouped into one division as. Stanley illsley 42nd rainbow division wwii update 62112. Collins, then brigadier general, recalled the words of general macarthur on that. Jul 24, 2017 rainbow division that represented the united states formed in new york in august 1917. The correspondence is that of soldiers, veterans, and their families, and relates primarily to the activities of the division and of the association.
July 17, 2012 members of the 42nd infantry rainbow division from world war ii, the cold war, iraq and today, gathered to share. During its time in france the rainbow division participated in six major campaigns and suffered over 50% casualties. The 42nd infantry division has served in world war i, world war ii and the global war on terrorism gwot. We use the traditional book grading system of from best to worst. From its activation in august 1917 through the armistice in november 1918 the 42nd was in combat longer than any other american division and suffered more than 50% casualties. This book is a wonderful companion to other books about wwii.
When formed and activated for world war ii, the 42id was a unique unit, as it was a reconstitution of the rainbow division from world war i. 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. Vernon lawrence larry petersen was a technical sergeant in the 42nd rainbow division of the us seventh army during ww ii. A world war ii hero of the rainbow division will be featured in a netflix series about medal of honor recipients. This is the original 1st printing of the book on the combat history of the 42nd rainbow infantry division during world war ii. The 42nd rainbow division reunion and book launch ronni. The 42nd infantry rainbow division s history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. Hold at all cost 42nd rainbow division prisoners of. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. 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. In many battles, the young men of the 42nd rainbow division persevered despite having less fire power than the enemy.
The 42d infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard. 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. Historic 42nd infantry rainbow division welcomes new commander. Nice unit history of the 2nd battalion, 242nd infantry regiment, 42nd rainbow division. The rainbow division organized and trained on long island for little over a month. The secrets of war run deep among the brotherhood of soldiers who served in the famed 42 nd rainbow division during world war ii. 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.
A member of the 222nd antitank company of the 42nd division snaps a photo while a convoy of trucks rolls through a small bavarian town. This book is full of detailed accounts of the movements of the 42nd rainbow division, it is a meticulously researched and mesmerizing read history unfolds with each turn of the page. Among several well known austrians such as the composer haydn and several immediate members of the mozart family, is the grave of major general harry j. Toby depicting the frustrations of the 42nd with a disabled tank overshadowing a muddy, rat infested, shell smashed trench. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore armory in troy, new york with the new york national guard. His son, bruce petersen, wrote in an email to me that as was the case with many ww ii veterans, he would rarely talk about the.
This website is only in its very early stages, aiming to give a full spectrum of data on world war ii fighting units, including details on organization, commanders, and literature. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore armory in troy, n. Wwii veteran recalls rough memories west cobb, ga patch. Internet archive bookreader 42nd rainbow infantry division. The division landed in france in 1944, and liberated dachau concentration camp on april 29, 1945. Army infantry division, 42nd, world war, 19391945, world war, 19391945 regimental histories united states, world war ii, united states. French battlefield dedicates memorial to troybased 42nd. 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. 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. The 42nd division, macarthur explained, had soldiers from all over the country and would stretch across america like a rainbow. The rainbow division amassed one of the finest fighting records of any division regular, volunteer or national guard in the american expeditionary force. Postcard of mac arthur in the trenches mural by alton s. My book the soldier, the avatar, and the holocaust.
He fought in the battle of the bulge and liberated the dachau concentration camp. An untold story of wwiis fortysecond rainbow division, mill city. It is the story of his contribution to the safety and security of the people of his country and of the world. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. Rainbow division that represented the united states formed in. Wwii rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc.
See more ideas about world war ii, world war and world war two. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The 42nd infantry division the holocaust encyclopedia. Douglas macarthur during world war ii and the korean war had a good idea. Welcome to the fan page for the 42nd infantry division band of the new york army national guard. Rainbow division that represented the united states formed. 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. Soldiers of the 45th infantry division were the first to arrive at dachau. 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.
The 42nd infantry rainbow division in wwii by walt cross. Rainbow division veterans association, records title. The author has created a gift for anyone who cares about the legacy of wwii and wants to learn more about the amazing history of the rainbowmen. By eric durr, new york state division of military and naval affairs july 24, 2017. 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.
Was the rainbow division tarnished by its battlefield. We honor the life and service of peter sherman, who served his country in wwii as a member of headquarters company, 1st battalion, 222nd infantry regiment, 42nd infantry rainbow division. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave echoed through the decades, through the. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york. French battlefield dedicates memorial to troybased 42nd infantry division soldiers. 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. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus.
In many battles, the young men of the 42nd rainbow division persevered despite. Amidst the rush by america to mobilize, individual states. The dates after the campaign name are the dates of the campaign not of the division. It is a history made possible not by individual achievement, but by the combined. After the war rainbow division reunions were big news, books about the. To check the negative implications of this competition and to minimize the impact the mobilization could have upon any. Last week kelly and i went to albany, ny, to attend the annual reunion of the 42nd rainbow division, the army unit featured in the soldier, the avatar, and the holocaust. Sep 11, 2011 a member of the 222nd antitank company of the 42nd division snaps a photo while a convoy of trucks rolls through a small bavarian town. The division headquarters is a unit of the new york army national guard. 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. See more ideas about world war, division and ww2 history.
615 1452 1480 1047 1133 1364 1135 742 243 630 1390 778 61 100 208 125 627 357 460 523 245 1056 224 1251 48 1445 1370 1564 22 1298 1346 522 531 844 699 1391 201