The 80th Training Command Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, was originally authorized for wear by the 80th Division during World War I. Since that time it has been redesignated for wear by the 80th Airborne Division (with the Airborne tab), 80th Infantry Division, 80th Division (Institutional Training), and the 80th Training Command.
With its Officers drawn from New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia and its Enlisted cadre from Western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, the 80th Division patch design approved in 1918 features three blue stylized mountains to represent the Blue Ridge mountain states the Soldiers called home. Unsurprisingly, the Division became known as the “Blue Ridge” before World War I had drawn to a close. It took a little longer to acquire a unit motto—but not very much longer. In fact, its genesis date can be pinpointed to 11 November 1918, the day the Armistice was signed.
During the Meuse-Argonnes offensive, the 80th Division had been tasked with seizing Bois des Ogons, a wooded crest that provided German defenders the ability to lay down withering machine-gun fire in three directions. After two failed assaults, the 80th Division launched its third attack on Bois des Ogons on the morning of 5 October 1918 and finally, as dusk fell, repelled the German defenders and was able to establish it as part of the new Allied line. In hindsight, it was later discovered that the 80th Division was the only Division which went into the line three times during the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
The Division’s achievement was memorialized in General Order No. 19 from Headquarters, 80th Division, A.E.F. which read in part:
“TO THE MEMBERS OF THE 80TH DIVISION;
The 80th Division only moves Forward.
It not only moves forward against the Enemy, but it moves forward in the estimation of all who are capable of judging its courage, its fighting and its manly qualities…
It always led.
It captured two Huns for every man wounded.
It captured one machine gun for every man wounded.
It captured one cannon for every ten men wounded, besides large quantities of munitions and stores.
It accomplished these results…with a far smaller percentage of casualties than any other Division engaged.
It has learned by hard training and experience.”