Established on 10 June 1946 in the Army National Guard, the 47th Infantry Division never saw combat as a single unit. Instead, its units and personnel were initially allotted to the Minnesota and North Dakota National Guards, and after it was Federalized during the Korean War it served as a source of replacement troops and units.
It was reflagged twice in its history, the first time coming in 1954 when it was still under Federal control: it was reflagged as the 3rd Infantry Division in the Regular Army, with the 47th Infantry Division returned to Minnesota state control. The second reflagging, in 1991, saw the Division reflagged as the 34th Infantry Division in the National Guard, but this time Federal recognition was withdrawn from the 47th Infantry Division: its inactivation was permanent and its lineage was
not passed on to the 34th “Red Bull” infantry Division. Nicknamed the Viking Division, the unit never was given a chance to show the “Fury Of The Vikings” that was promised by its motto “FUROR VIKINGORUM.”
Approved for wear on 10 June 1946, the 47th Infantry Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (unit patch) features a red circular background that stands for the shield of Thor—god of thunder, ultimate defender, and victorious in battle. Blue in the center of the circle is the color of Infantry, the branch from which the first units of the Division were drawn; red is for Artillery, second arm of the Division to be raised in 1946. The helmet, of course, is the headgear of Viking warriors.
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