U.S. 89th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 89th Infantry Division, known as the "Rolling W," was an infantry
unit of the United States Army
that was activated for service in World War I
and World War II
.
The 89th Infantry Division landed in France at Le Havre
, 21 January 1945, and engaged in several weeks of precombat training before moving up to the Sauer
River into jump-off positions east of Echternach
, 11 March 1945. The next day, the offensive began, and the 89th plunged across the Sauer in a rapid advance to and across the Moselle, 17 March. The offensive rolled on, and the Division assaulted across the Rhine River on 26 March 1945 under intense fire in the Wellmich-Oberwesel region. A pontoon bridge was built across the Rhine from St. Goar to St. Goarshausen. In April, the 89th attacked toward Eisenach
, taking that town on 6 April. The next objective, Friedrichroda, was secured by 8 April. On 4 April 1945, the 89th overran Ohrdruf, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Ohrdruf was the first Nazi concentration camp liberated by U.S. troops in Germany.
The Division continued to move eastward toward the Mulde
River, capturing Zwickau by 17 April. The advance was halted, 23 April, and from then until VE-day
, the Division saw only limited action, engaging in patrolling and general security. Three towns, Lossnitz, Aue, and Stollberg
, were kept under constant pressure, but no attacks were launched. The 89th Infantry's casualties consisted of 292 men Killed in Action, 692 men Wounded in Action, and 33 men Died of Wounds.
recommendations, United States Department of Defense recommended realigning the Wichita US Army Reserve Center by disestablishing the 89th Regional Readiness Command. This recommendation was part of a larger recommendation to re-engineer and streamline the Command and Control structure of the Army Reserves that would create the Northwest Regional Readiness Command at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/89rsc.htm
The 89th currently exisits as the 89th Sustainment Brigade
in the US Army Reserve.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
unit of the United States Army
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...
that was activated for service in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
World War I
- Activated: August 1917.
- Overseas: June 1918.
- Major Operations: St. Mihiel, MeuseArgonne.
- CasualtiesUnited States casualties of warMilitary casualties suffered by the United States of America in war or deployments-Overview:- Wars ranked by total American deaths :"Deaths per day" are the total number of US military deaths, divided by the number of days between the dates of the commencement and end of hostilities, or until 25...
: Total-7,091 (KIA-980; WIA-6,111). - Commanders: Maj. Gen. Leonard WoodLeonard WoodLeonard Wood was a physician who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba and Governor General of the Philippines. Early in his military career, he received the Medal of Honor. Wood also holds officer service #2 in the Regular Army...
(27 August 1917), Brig. Gen. Frank L. Winn (26 November 1917), Brig. Gen. Thomas G. Hanson (24 December 1917), Brig. Gen. Frank L. Winn (29 December 1917), Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood (12 April 1918), Brig. Gen. Frank L. Winn (1 June 1918), Maj. Gen. William M. Wright (6 September 1918), Maj. Gen. Frank L. Winn (12 November 1918). - Inactivated: May 1919.
See also
- David B. BarkleyDavid B. BarkleyDavid Bennes Barkley , often spelled Barkeley, was a United States Army private who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War I in France...
-Medal of Honor recipient - M. Waldo HatlerM. Waldo HatlerM. Waldo Hatler was a Sergeant in the United States Army during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for heroism near Pouilly, France, November 8, 1918.-Biography:...
-Medal of Honor recipient - J. Hunter WickershamJ. Hunter WickershamJohn Hunter Wickersham was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War I.-Biography:...
-Medal of Honor recipient - Harold A. FurlongHarold A. FurlongHarold Arthur Furlong was a United States Army First Lieutenant and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in France during World War I.-Medal of Honor citation:...
– Medal of Honor recipient - Charles E. KilbourneCharles E. KilbourneCharles Evans Kilbourne was an officer in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine–American War.-Biography:...
-Distinguished Service Cross recipient - Marcelino SernaMarcelino SernaPrivate Marcelino Serna was an undocumented Mexican immigrant who joined the United States Army and became the most decorated soldier from Texas in World War I. Serna was the first Hispanic to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.-Early years:Serna was born in the city of Chihuahua, in the...
-the most decorated soldier from Texas in World War I. - Ferdinand Louis Schlemmer – Division camouflage officer in World War I and noted artist in civilian life.
World War II
- Activated: 15 July 1942.
- Overseas: 10 January 1945.
- Campaigns: Rhineland, Central EuropeCentral Europe CampaignAfter crossing the Rhine the Western Allies fanned out overrunning all of western Germany from the Baltic in the north to Austria in the south before the Germans surrendered on 8 May 1945. This is known as the "Central Europe Campaign" in United States military histories.By the early spring of...
. - Days of combat: 57.
- Awards: Distinguished Service Medal (United States)Distinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
-1 ; Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
-46; Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
-5; Soldier's MedalSoldier's MedalThe Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...
-1 ; Bronze Star MedalBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
-135 ; Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
-17. - Commanders: Maj. Gen. William H. Gill (July 1942 – February 1943), Maj. Gen. Thomas D. Finley (February 1943 to inactivation).
- Returned to U.S.: 16 December 1945.
- Inactivated: 27 December 1945.
Combat chronicle
Le Havre
Le Havre is a city in the Seine-Maritime department of the Haute-Normandie region in France. It is situated in north-western France, on the right bank of the mouth of the river Seine on the English Channel. Le Havre is the most populous commune in the Haute-Normandie region, although the total...
, 21 January 1945, and engaged in several weeks of precombat training before moving up to the Sauer
Sauer
The Sauer or Sûre is a river in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. A left tributary of the river Moselle, its total length is 173 km....
River into jump-off positions east of Echternach
Echternach
Echternach is a commune with city status in the canton of Echternach, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher, in eastern Luxembourg. Echternach lies near the border with Germany, and is the oldest town in Luxembourg....
, 11 March 1945. The next day, the offensive began, and the 89th plunged across the Sauer in a rapid advance to and across the Moselle, 17 March. The offensive rolled on, and the Division assaulted across the Rhine River on 26 March 1945 under intense fire in the Wellmich-Oberwesel region. A pontoon bridge was built across the Rhine from St. Goar to St. Goarshausen. In April, the 89th attacked toward Eisenach
Eisenach
Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...
, taking that town on 6 April. The next objective, Friedrichroda, was secured by 8 April. On 4 April 1945, the 89th overran Ohrdruf, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Ohrdruf was the first Nazi concentration camp liberated by U.S. troops in Germany.
The Division continued to move eastward toward the Mulde
Mulde
The Mulde is a river in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is a left tributary of the Elbe and 124 km in length.The river is formed by the confluence, near Colditz, of the Zwickauer Mulde and the Freiberger Mulde , both rising from the Ore Mountains...
River, capturing Zwickau by 17 April. The advance was halted, 23 April, and from then until VE-day
Victory in Europe Day
Victory in Europe Day commemorates 8 May 1945 , the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The formal surrender of the occupying German forces in the Channel Islands was not...
, the Division saw only limited action, engaging in patrolling and general security. Three towns, Lossnitz, Aue, and Stollberg
Stollberg
Stollberg is a town in the Free State of Saxony, in the district Erzgebirgskreis. It is situated 20 km east of Zwickau, and 17 km southwest of Chemnitz....
, were kept under constant pressure, but no attacks were launched. The 89th Infantry's casualties consisted of 292 men Killed in Action, 692 men Wounded in Action, and 33 men Died of Wounds.
Assignments in the European Theater of Operations
- 21 January 1945: Fifteenth ArmyU.S. Fifteenth ArmyThe Fifteenth United States Army was the last field army to see service in northwest Europe during World War II and was the final command of General George S. Patton. The Fifteenth Army served two separate missions while assigned to the area. During the later stages of World War II its mission was...
, 12th Army Group. - 4 March 1945: XII Corps, Third Army, 12th Army Group.
- 23 March 1945: VIII Corps.
- 22 April 1945: VIII Corps, First ArmyU.S. First ArmyThe First United States Army is a field army of the United States Army. It now serves a mobilization, readiness and training command.- Establishment and World War I :...
, 12th Army Group.
See also
- David B. BarkleyDavid B. BarkleyDavid Bennes Barkley , often spelled Barkeley, was a United States Army private who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War I in France...
MOH - Charles T. PayneCharles T. PayneCharles Thomas Payne is an American who served in the U.S. military during World War II as a member of the division that liberated Ohrdruf, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp. He was 20 years old at the time...
(Barack Obama's great-uncle) - 89th Sustainment Brigade89th Sustainment BrigadeThe 89th Sustainment Brigade is a subordinate command of 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and one of only eight of its kind in the Army Reserve...
Post-World War II
The 89th was reactivated as a Reserve unit in 1947 with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas and redesignated as the 89th Division (Training) in 1959. In 1973 the division colors were cased and the shoulder patch (but not the lineage and honors) was continued in use as the 89th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM). (ARCOMs were not tactical commands, but were instead regional conglomerations of unrelated units. Upon mobilization, units within the ARCOMs would be assigned to active duty units with which they were aligned.) The 89th ARCOM was later redesignated as the 89th Regional Support Command, and in 2003 it became the 89th Regional Readiness Command. In its 2005 BRACBase Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
recommendations, United States Department of Defense recommended realigning the Wichita US Army Reserve Center by disestablishing the 89th Regional Readiness Command. This recommendation was part of a larger recommendation to re-engineer and streamline the Command and Control structure of the Army Reserves that would create the Northwest Regional Readiness Command at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/89rsc.htm
The 89th currently exisits as the 89th Sustainment Brigade
89th Sustainment Brigade
The 89th Sustainment Brigade is a subordinate command of 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and one of only eight of its kind in the Army Reserve...
in the US Army Reserve.
General
- Nickname: Rolling W ; also called Middle West Division.
- Slogan: Above The Rest
- Shoulder patch: A black-bordered khaki circle containing the letter "W" within a black-bordered circle.