016 26th Infantry Division

Nickname: Yankee Division. The Division is so named because it was originally composed of National Guard troops from New England. . Shoulder Patch: The patch is khaki-colored, in the shape of a diamond. In center of the patch, in blue, are letters “Y” and “D,” in form of a monogram. The letters stand for Yankee Division. .. Source: Massachusetts National Guard Units (World War II).. History: The Division, composed then of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont troops, was called into service, 1917, and trained in New England. It was first concentrated as a division in France, Jan., 1918. Campaigns included Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. The 26th claims the distinction of leading all National Guard Divisions in number of awards, World War I, and stood fourth on the list of American Divisions in citations. . Training: First training was at Camp Edwards, Mass., World War II. North Carolina (First Army) maneuvers, Nov., 1941. In Feb., 1943. the Division moved to Fort Jackson, coming into the Second Army. Other training: Camp Gordon, Ga., Camp Campbell, Ky., and maneuvers with Second Army in Tennessee. The 26th left the U. S., Aug., 1944. . Commanding Generals: Maj. Gen. Roger W. Eckfeldt, Jan ., 1941, to Aug., 1943; Maj. Gen. Willard S. Paul, Aug., 1943, to June, 1945; Brig. Gen. Harlan N. Hartness, June-July, 1945; Maj. Gen. Stanley E. Reinhart, July, 1945, to present. . Component Units: (As of Aug., 1944) 101st, 104th and 328th Infantry Regiments; 101st, 102nd, 263rd (L) and 180th (M) FA Battalions. Higher Command: Third Army. . Awards: Early in 1945, commendation from Maj. Gen. Manton S. Eddy on speed in acquiring fighting spirit of veterans and high courage and constant aggressiveness in battling across Lorraine.. Combat Highlights: Relief of the beleaguered American Forces at Bastogne and spearheading the drive of the Third Army to link with the Seventh Army are among the highlights in the 26th’s combat record. First action: Sept. 29, 1944, SE of Verdun, between the Meuse and Moselle rivers. Oct. 8 the 26th relieved the 4th Armored Division near Nancy. Other actions included Metz, Saarguemines, crossing of the Saar, crossing of the German frontier at the Blies river, capture of Habkirchen, Ardennes sector of battle to reduce the German salient in Belgium, relief of Bastogne, Saarlaten, as a spearhead in the Third Army drive to a juncture of Waldaux and Weissendadt, capture of an airfield SE of Raemelsurth, crossing of the Regen river, occupation of Passay and action North of Linz in the final drive into Germany.