40th Infantry Division (United States)

40th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
40th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	1917-1954 1954-1967 (40th Armored Division) 1974-present
Country	United States
Branch	Army National Guard
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Garrison/HQ	Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base
Nickname(s)	Sunshine Sunburst
Engagements	World War I World War II *Bismarck Archipelago *Philippines Campaign Korean War Kosovo Campaign Global War on Terrorism *Afghanistan Campaign *Iraq Campaign
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (3)
Commanders
Current commander	Major General John Harrel

Template:US Infantry The 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized) is a modular division of the United States Army. Following the army's modularization the division has become a four brigade combat team division with National Guardsmen from throughout the Pacific/Western United States and Oceania. Its Division Headquarters is located at Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, California.

After seeing service in World War I as a depot division, it was reorganised as the National Guard division for California and Utah, before seeing service in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Later, the division served in Korea and some of its units were designated for Vietnam. The division was redesignated the National Guard unit for California alone, and it continues to serve domestically as such, mostly in homeland security operations.

History

The 40th Infantry Division was organized at Camp Kearney, near San Diego, California, on 16 September 1917, originally designated as the 19th Division. It was composed of National Guard units from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

Service record

World War I

The division was activated on 18 July 1917, as a National Guard division from the California, Nevada, and Utah Army National Guards. It was sent overseas on 3 August 1918 and redesignated the 6th Depot Division; received, equipped, trained, and forwarded replacements. Major General F. S. Strong was assigned as commander on 25 August 1917, but was replaced less than a month later by Brigadier General G. H. Cameron on 18 September 1917.

The division then saw a rapid turnover of leaders - Brigadier General L. S. Lyon (19 November 1917), Brigadier General G. H. Cameron (23 November 1917), Brigadier General L. S. Lyon (6 December 1917) and then Major General F. S. Strong again on 8 December 1917. The division returned to the U.S. on 30 June 1919.

World War II

Commanders

• Major General Walter P. Story (March-September 1941)
• Major General Ernest J. Dawley (September 1941-April 1942)
• Major General Rapp Brush (April 1942-July 1945)
• Brigadier General Donald J. Myers (July 1945 to inactivation)

Combat chronicle

The 40th Infantry Division was activated for World War II on 3 March 1941. It was at the time a National Guard division from the California and Utah Army National Guards. It departed for overseas service on 23 August 1942.

The Division's first overseas assignment was the defense of outer islands of Hawai'i, where it arrived in September 1942. Training continued as defensive positions were improved and maintained. In July 1943, the division was concentrated on Oahu, and relieved the 24th Infantry Division of the defense of the North Sector. Relieved of the North Sector in October 1943, the 40th entered upon a period of intensive amphibious and jungle training. 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. On 24 April 1944, it left Guadalcanal for New Britain. The regiments of the division took positions at Talasea on the northern side of the island, at Arawe on the southern side, and at near the western end. Neutralization of the enemy was effected by patrols. No major battle was fought. Heavy rain and mud were constant problems.

The 40th was relieved of missions on New Britain, 27 November, and began training for the Luzon landing. Sailing from Borgen Bay on 9 December 1944, the division made an assault landing at Lingayen, Luzon, under command of XIV Corps, on 9 January 1945. 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. Snake Hill and Storm King Mountain were taken in February and the 40th was relieved, 2 March. Leaving Luzon on 15 March 1945 to cut behind the Japanese, the division landed on Panay Island on the 18th and knocked out Japanese resistance within ten days, seizing airfields at Santa Barbara and Mandurriao. On 29 March, it landed at Pulupandan, Negros Occidental, advanced through Bacolod City toward Talisay, which it secured by 2 April 1945. After mopping up on Negros Island, the division returned to Panay in June and July 1945. In September 1945, the division moved to Korea for occupation duty.

The division returned to the U.S. on 7 April 1946 and was reportedly inactivated the same day. Its casualties during the war included 614 Killed in Action, 2,407 Wounded in Action, and 134 Died of Wounds.

World War II honors for the division included three Distinguished Unit Citations. Awards to its men included 1 Medal of Honor, 12 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1 Distinguished Service Medal, 245 Silver Stars, 21 Legions of Merit, 30 Soldier's Medals, 1,036 Bronze Stars, and 57 Air Medals.

Korean War

On 1 September 1950, the 40th Infantry Division was again called into active federal service for the Korean War. Shipping out of Oakland & San Francisco, California in late March 1951, the division deployed to Japan for training. For the next nine months, they participated in amphibious, air transportability, and live fire training from Mount Fuji to Sendai. On 23 December, the division received alert orders to move to Korea. The division moved to Korea in January 1952. After additional training, the division moved north in February 1952, where it relieved the 24th Infantry Division on the battle line.

In Korea, the 40th Infantry Division participated in the battles of Sandbag Castle and the Punchbowl. In these campaigns, the division suffered 1,180 casualties, including 311 who were killed in action, and 47 who later died from wounds received in action. Total division casualties in Korea included 376 Killed in Action, 1,457 Wounded in Action, and 47 Died of Wounds.

Three members of the division's 223rd Infantry Regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Korean War: David B. Bleak, Gilbert G. Collier and Clifton T. Speicher.

After its return from the Korean War, the division was reorganised on 1 July 1954 as the 40th Armored Division. It had three combat commands (A, B, and C) in 1956.

Cold War

In 1960, the Division combat units were reorganized under the Combat Arms Regimental Systems (CARS), and then in 1963, was reorganized under the ROAD concept which changed the combat commands to brigades.

On 13 August 1965, Lieutenant Governor Glenn M. Anderson called out elements of the Division to put down the Watts Riots, at the request of Los Angeles Police Chief William H. Parker. The absence of Governor Pat Brown vested gubernatorial authority in Anderson.

Like most reserve component units of the Army, the Division sat out the Vietnam War, being left unmobilised, apart from its Aviation Company.

From 1986 until 1995, the division's CAPSTONE wartime organisational structure included the 140th Military Intelligence Battalion (CEWI) (HD). Allocated to the United States Army Reserve in peacetime, the mission of the battalion was to provide the division commander and G-2 with electronic warfare intelligence and analysis, as well limited counterintelligence/interrogation support and long range surveillance. Ironically, the battalion's long-range surveillance detachment was stripped from the battalion in peacetime and allocated to the California Army National Guard.

On 1 December 1967, a major reorganization of the National Guard reduced the Guard to eight combat divisions, the 40th Armored Division being one of the casualties. On 29 January 1968, the Division was eliminated and the 40th Infantry Brigade and 40th Armored Brigade were organized.

On 13 January 1974, the California Army National Guard was reorganised. The 40th and 49th Infantry and the 40th Armored Brigades were deactivated and the 40th Infantry Division was reformed.

Post Gulf War

On 29 April 1992, Governor Pete Wilson ordered elements of the 40th Infantry Division to duty to put down the so-called "Rodney King" riots. The 40th ID responded quickly by calling up some 2,000 soldiers, but could not get them to the city until nearly twenty-four hours had passed due to a lack of proper equipment, training, and available ammunition which had to be picked up from Camp Roberts, California (near Paso Robles). Initially, they only secured areas previously cleared of rioters by police. Later, they actively ran patrols, maintained check points, and provided firepower for law enforcement. By 1 May, the call-up had increased to 4,000 soldiers continuing to move into the city in Humvees, who were later federalized under Title 10 USC by President George H.W. Bush.

In November 1997, Battery F, 144th Field Artillery Regiment (TA), represented the state of California in Bosnia. During this deployment, Battery F conducted Firefinder counter-battery radar operations, convoys and base security all with little to no armor, with a high threat of mine strikes and ambushes. Most drivers exceeded 21,000 kilometres (13,000 miles) during the seven months in country.

In November 2000, Battery F was again called to duty for its expertise in the Kosovo region.

Until Battery F's arrival in Afghanistan, radar operations were virtually unknown and uncared for. Nevertheless, the unit quickly became a very important resource and a leading factor in base defense operations.

Leadership

The 40th Infantry Division (Mechanized) is commanded by Brigadier General John Harrel and the NCO corps are led by Command Sergeant Major George Pena (current as of 2008).

Current Structure

Structure 40th Infantry Division

40th Infantry Division consists of the following elements:

• Division Special Troops Battalion
• 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (HI NG)
  • 29th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
  • 1st Squadron, 299th Cavalry Regiment (RSTA)
  • 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment (AZ NG)
  • 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment (Army Reserve) (AS, GU, HI, MP)
  • 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment
  • 29th Brigade Support Battalion
• 79th (Infantry) Brigade Combat Team (CA NG)
  • 40th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
  • 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment (RSTA)
  • 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment
  • 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment
  • 1st Battalion, 144th Field Artillery Regiment
  • 40th Brigade Support Battalion
• 41st (Infantry) Brigade Combat Team (OR NG)
  • 41st Brigade Special Troops Battalion
  • 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment (RSTA)
  • 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment
  • 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment
  • 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment
  • 141st Brigade Support Battalion
• 81st (Heavy) Brigade Combat Team (WA NG)
  • 81st Brigade Special Troops Battalion
  • 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment (RSTA)
  • 1st Battalion, 185th Armor Regiment (CA NG)
  • 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment
  • 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment
  • 181st Brigade Support Battalion
• Combat Aviation Brigade, 40th Infantry Division (CA NG)
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Company
  • 1st Battalion (GSAB), 168th Aviation Regiment(WA NG)
  • 1st Battalion (Assault), 140th Aviation Regiment
  • 3rd Battalion (S&S), 140th Aviation Regiment
  • 1st Battalion (Attack/Recon), 211th Aviation Regiment(UT NG)
  • 640th Aviation Support Battalion

In July 2006, as part of the Army National Guard's modularization process, the 40th Infantry Division reorganized into four brigade combat teams and one aviation brigade. National Guard units from California, Oregon, Hawaii, Arizona, Washington, Alaska, New Mexico, Indiana, Nebraska, Utah and Guam are today part of the 40th Infantry Division.

Attached units

• 65th Fires Brigade (UT NG)
• 297th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (AK NG)

Symbols

• Nickname: Sunshine/Sunburst Division (Official); Flaming Assholes (Un-Official).
• Shoulder patch: A dark blue diamond on which, in yellow, is the sun with 12 rays; the patch is worn diagonally.
• Association: 40th Infantry Division Association

The semi-sunburst was suggested as the unit's shoulder sleeve insignia, and represents the division's home of Southern California. The demi fleur-de-lis symbolizes service in France during World War I. The outer rim of the sun rays refers to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation award. The red arrowhead alludes to firepower of the division and represents their assault landing at Luzon in World War II. The Torri gate, a symbol of the Far East, refers to the award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

External links

• California National Guard, Fortieth Infantry Division (Mechanized)
• 40th Infantry Division Insignia at California State Military Museum

References

• The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at CMH.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army.