World War I
Activated: July 1917 (National Guard Division from Texas and Oklahoma).
Overseas: July 1918.
Major Operations: Meuse-Argonne.
Casualties: Total-2,584 (KIA-466; WIA-2,118).
Commanders:
Maj. Gen. E. St. J. Greble (25 August 1917)
Brig. Gen. George Blakely (18 September 1917)
Maj. Gen. E. St. J. Greble (6 December 1917)
Brig. Gen. John A. Hulen (8 July 1918)
Maj. Gen. William R. Smith (13 July 1918).
Returned to U. S. and inactivated: June 1919.
World War II
Activated:. 25 November 1940 (National Guard Division from Texas).
Overseas: 2 April 1943.
Campaigns: Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe.
Days of combat: 400.
Distinguished Unit Citations: 12.
Awards: MH-14 ; DSC-80 ; DSM-2 ; SS-2,354 ; LM-49; SM-77 ; BSM-5,407 ; AM-88.
Commanders:
Maj. Gen. Claude V. Birkhead (November 1940-September 1941)
Maj. Gen. Fred L. Walker (September 1941-June 1944)
Maj. Gen. John E. Dablquist (July 1944-1 November 1945)
Brig. Gen. Robert I. Stack (November 1945 to inactivation).
Returned to U. S.: 15 December 1945.
Inactivated: 15 December 1945. (See National Guard.)
Combat Chronicle
The 36th Infantry Division landed in North Africa, 13 April 1943, and trained at Arzew and Rabat. It first saw action, 9 September 1943, when it landed at Paestum on the Gulf of Salerno. The waiting enemy launched counterattacks, but the 36th advanced slowly, securing the area from Agropoli to Altavilla. After a brief rest the 36th returned to combat, 15 November. It captured Mount Maggiore, Mount Lungo, and the village of San Pietro despite strong enemy positions and severe winter weather. This grueling campaign was marked by futile attempts to establish a secure bridgehead across the Rapido River, 1 January to 8 February 1944. After assisting the 34th Division in the attack on Cassino and fighting defensively along the Rapido River, the 36th withdrew, 12 March 1944, for rest and rehabilitation. On 25 May, the Division landed at Anzio, drove north to capture Velletri, 1 June, and entered Rome on the 5th. Pushing up from Rome, the 36th encountered sharp resistance at Magliano, but reached Piombino, 26 June, before moving back to Paestum for rest and rehabilitation. On 15 August, the Division made another assault landing against light opposition in the RaphaelFrejus area of Southern France. A lightning dash opened the Rhone River Valley. Montelimar fell, 28 August, and large Nazi units were trapped. The 36th advanced to the Moselle River at Remiremont and the foothills of the Vosges. In a grinding offensive, the Division crossed the Meurthe River, breached the Ste. Marie Pass and burst into the Alsatian Plains. The enemy counterattacked, 13 December, and the 36th held in the Colmar Pocket. On the 20th the Division resumed the attack, advancing northward along the Rhine River to Mannheim meeting heavy resistance at Haguenau, Oberhofen, and Wissembourg. The 36th moved to the Danube, 22 April 1945, and attacked the "National Redoubt" at Kunzelsau on the 30th in its final action.
Assignments in the ETO *
13 July 1944: VI Corps, Seventh Army, but attached to SOS, NATOUSA, for supply.
15 September 1944: VI Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
5 December 1944: VI Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group, but attached to the French First Army.
15 December 1944: VI Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
27 December 1944: XXI Corps.
30 December 1944: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
3 January 1945: XV Corps.
18 January 1945: VI Corps.
29 March 1945: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
27 April 1945: XXI Corps.
General
Nickname: Texas Division; sometimes referred to as Panther Division or the Lone Star Division. Shoulder patch: A blue fling arrowhead pointed downward, bearing the letter "T" in green. Association: 36th Division Association, Box 2174, Capitol Station, Austin, Tex., Mr. Jack E. Hughes, secretary. Publications: 36th Division History; by unit members; Newsfoto Publishing Co., San Angelo, Tex.; distributor, 36th Infantry Division Association; 1947. Story of the 86th Infantry Division and Campaigns in France, Germany, and Austria; by unit members, TI&E, ETOUSA; distributor, 36th Infantry Division Association; 1945. Campaigns of the 36th Infantry Division in World War II, U. S. Army; 36th Division; 1945.
538
* See footnote, 1st Infantry Division.
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[Nota Bene: These combat chronicles, current as of October 1948, are reproduced from The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.]