87th Infantry Division — “Golden Acorn Division”

Shoulder Patch: Circular green field with a superimposed golden acorn — symbolic of strength.

Slogan: Stalwart and Strong

Overview
Activated August 15, 1917 at Camp Pike, Arkansas, drawing men from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Reactivated December 15, 1942 at Camp McCain, Mississippi, training with III Corps and Second Army before deploying to the European Theater on November 4, 1944.

Component Units (as of November 4, 1944)
345th, 346th and 347th Infantry Regiments — 334th, 336th, 912th (L) and 335th (M) FA Battalions
Higher Command: Third Army

Combat History
The Golden Acorn Division arrived in the Metz area in mid-November 1944 on the Third Army front. When von Rundstedt launched his December offensive, General Patton selected the 87th as one of the divisions to meet and smash the German drive — a baptism of fire that was rough but effective.

In early February 1945 the division spearheaded a Third Army drive, forcing a crossing of the Our River under heavy enemy fire and fighting deep into Belgium and Luxembourg. In March the 87th prepared to deliver decisive blows against the German Army, crossing the Moselle with speed and seizing Coblenz in a lightning move — launching yet another great Third Army drive into the Rhineland.

The Rhine crossing was accomplished by sheer grit. As the first wave crossed, German flares illuminated the river and heavy mortar fire rained down. Despite the casualties the 87th pressed forward, blasting deep into Germany by war’s end.

Commanding Generals
Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson through Maj. Gen. Eugene M. Landrum and Maj. Gen. Frank L. Culin Jr. through the end of the war.