81st Infantry Division (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 81st Infantry Division


caption=81st Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
dates= 1917-1918?
1942-1946
country= United States
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branch= U.S. Army
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nickname=Wildcat Division
patron=
motto="Wildcats never quit"
colors=
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battles=World War I
World War II
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identification_symbol_2_label=US Infantry
previous=80th Infantry Division
next=82nd Airborne DivisionThe 81st Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War I and World War II.

World War I

*Activated: September 1917.
*Overseas: August 1918.
*Major Operations: Meuse-Argonne, Alsace-Lorraine.
*Casualties: Total-1,104 (KIA-195, WIA-909).
*Commanders: Brig. Gen. Charles H. Barth (28 August 1917), Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (8 October 1917), Brig. Gen. Charles H. Barth (24 November 1917), Brig. Gen. G. W. McIver (28 December 1917), Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (11 March 1918), Brig. Gen. G. W. McIver (19 May 1918), Brig. Gen. Munroe McFarland (24 May 1918), Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (30 May 1918), Brig. Gen. G. W. McIver (9 June 1918), Maj. Gen. Charles J. Bailey (3 July 1918).

World War II

*Activated: 15 June 1942.
*Overseas: 3 July 1944.
*Campaigns: Western Pacific, South Philippines.
*Days of combat: 166.
*Awards: DSC-7 ; DSM-2 ; SS-281; LM-7; SM-40 ; BSM-658 ; AM-15.
*Commanders: Maj. Gen. Gustave H. Franke (June-August 1942), Maj. Gen. Paul J. Mueller (August 1942 to inactivation).
*Inactivated: 30 January 1946 in Japan.

Combat Chronicle

The 81st Infantry Division landed in Hawaii, 11 June-8 July 1944. The division minus RCT 323 invaded Angaur Island in the Palau group, as part of the Palau Islands campaign 17 September, and pushed through to the western shore in a quick movement, cutting the island in half. The enemy was driven into isolated pockets and mopping-up operations began on the 20th. RCT 321, attached to the 1st Marine Division, went into action on Peleliu Island in the Palaus and assisted in splitting defense forces and isolating them in mountainous areas in the central part of the island. The team aided in mopping up Ngesebus Island and capturing Kongauru and Garakayo Islands. RCT 323 under naval task force command occupied Ulithi Island, 21-23 September 1944. Elements of the team landed on Ngulu Atoll and destroyed enemy personnel and installations, 16 October, completing the outflanking of the enemy base at Yap. On the 18th RCT 323 left to rejoin the 81st on Peleliu, which assumed command of all troops on that island and Angaur, 20 October 1944. Resistance was ended on Peleliu, 27 November. Between 4 November 1944 and 1 January 1945, the division seized Pulo Anna Island, Kyangel Atoll, and Pais Island. The 81st left in increments from 1 January to 8 February for New Caledonia for rehabilitation and training. The division arrived in Leyte on 17 May 1945, and after a period of training participated in mopping-up operations in the northwest part of the island, 21 July 1945 to 12 August 1945. After rest and training, the 81st moved to Japan, 18 September, and performed occupational duties in Aomori Prefecture until inactivation.

General

*Nickname: Wildcat Division.
*Slogan: Wildcats Never Quit.
*Shoulder patch: A black wildcat on a black bordered olive drab disk.

The first unit patch ever used by the Army was for the 81st. This unit trained at Fort Jackson, S.C., near Wildcat Creek. They created patches so they could identify each other quickly in combat. Some officers questioned this, but General John Pershing decided it was a good idea, so the Army started to implement it for all units. [ [http://media.www.thedmonline.com/media/storage/paper876/news/2006/07/12/ArtsLife/Pride.Important.For.Us.Soldiers-2130898.shtml Pride important for US soldiers] , by Lee Berry, Univ of Mississippi, [http://www.thedmonline.com www.thedmonline.com ] . ]

References

*"The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States" U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at [http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/lineage/cc/cc.htm http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/lineage/cc/cc.htm] .