Composed entirely of soldiers from the Regular Army, the 2nd Division was constituted on September 21, 1917 and organized a little over a month later in France. The division received official credit for its participation in six campaigns in World War I; during that time. it had the unique distinction of twice being commanded by U.S. Marines Corps Generals (the only times a USMC officer has commanded an Army division) and was thrice awarded the French Croix de guerre. With this track record, the division was well on its way to earning its motto, "Second to None."
Designated the 2nd Infantry Division in August 1941, the division landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 2. Two later it assaulted German forces in Trévières and liberated the town before taking a key defensive stronghold at Hill 192. The division helped capture the key seaport of Brest before entering Germany in early October. Its attempt to seize the Roer River dams was cut short by the German Watch on the Rhine offensive (Battle of the Bulge), during which it helped turn back the last-gasp German offensive.
Deployed to Korea in 1950, the 2nd Infantry played a critical role in repulsing North Korean attacks on the Pusan Perimeter before breaking out and advancing toward Manchuria. It was turned back when China entered the war, and had to fight a rearguard action during the subsequent retreat. Throughout the remainder of the way, the division took part in major offensive and defensive operations, including the famous and bloody Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. In all, the unit received official campaign for participation in ten campaigns and two Presidential Unit citations from the Republic of Korea.
In 1965, the 2nd Infantry Division returned to South Korea, where it is stationed along the DMZ to respond to border incursions and to act as a first-line of defense in the event of a North Korean ground invasion. Headquartered at Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, the division partially consists of Korean soldiers known as the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army).
Though the entire division was not deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, three of its brigades were sent to Iraq and two to Afghanistan.
Originally created for use vehicle identification during World War I, the unit's Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB) is identical to its shoulder sleeve insignia. Its two most striking elements—an Indian's head with a war bonnet and a white, five-pointed star—were employed so friendlies could easily identify the units as "all American."
Related Items
2nd Infantry Division Patch (SSI)
2nd Infantry Division Unit Crest (DUI)