Panama Canal Division (United States)
Encyclopedia
Authorized in 1920, the Panama Canal Division of the United States Army
was organized in 1921 in order to insure the United States could adequately defend the Canal Zone (similar divisions were organized to defend Hawaii and the Philippines).
Its initial composition included the 19th Infantry Brigade (14th and 65th Infantry Regiments, of which the 65th was stationed in Puerto Rico) and the 20th Infantry Brigade (33rd
and 42nd Infantry Regiment
s). The two brigades appear to have been active until 1927. (McGrath, 'The Brigade,' p.166)
Later, however, the commander of the Panama Canal
Department, Major General Preston Brown
, determined that the defense of Panama
would be better served by command groups representing the Atlantic and the Pacific. In 1932, the Army inactivated the division, keeping its Tables of Organization on file should the need arise to reactivate it. It never has.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
was organized in 1921 in order to insure the United States could adequately defend the Canal Zone (similar divisions were organized to defend Hawaii and the Philippines).
Its initial composition included the 19th Infantry Brigade (14th and 65th Infantry Regiments, of which the 65th was stationed in Puerto Rico) and the 20th Infantry Brigade (33rd
33rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 33rd Infantry Regiment was an American unit stationed in the Panama Canal Zone and Caribbean from 1916-1956. Though providing troops for various other American military formations, the Regiment had no battle honours of its own.-History:...
and 42nd Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 42nd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army.-Lineage:Constuted 15 May 1917 in the Regular Army as the 42nd Infantry. Organized 24 June 1917 at Fort Douglas, Utah from personnel of the 20th Infantry. Assigned to the 12th Infantry Division 5 July 1918. Relieved from...
s). The two brigades appear to have been active until 1927. (McGrath, 'The Brigade,' p.166)
Later, however, the commander of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
Department, Major General Preston Brown
Preston Brown
Preston Brown was an American army officer who saw action with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. Brown reached the rank of Major General, before retiring from active duty in 1936.-Early Life:Brown was born in Lexington, Kentucky...
, determined that the defense of Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
would be better served by command groups representing the Atlantic and the Pacific. In 1932, the Army inactivated the division, keeping its Tables of Organization on file should the need arise to reactivate it. It never has.