Already known as the “Keystone Division” in honor of its home state of Pennsylvania, the 28th Infantry earned a second moniker in World War I: the “Iron Division,” a title bestowed upon it General John J. Pershing for its heroic stand against a massive German assault during the Battle of Chateau-Thierry.
And in World War II, the unit would pick up another, more colorful nickname.
After landing at Omaha Beach nearly six weeks after D-Day, the 28th had the signal honor of being the first U.S. Army division to march down the Champs-Elysées in celebration of the liberation of Paris on August 29, 1944. It was during the vicious fighting in the
bocage on its way to Paris that German soldiers noticed the shape and color of the division’s
shoulder sleeve insignia (unit patch) and began to refer to the unit as the “Bloody Bucket Division.” Although the new nickname was not officially promoted—it actually was frowned upon by Army authorities—many in the 28th Infantry Division still proudly use it.
Advancing north from Paris, the 28th found itself facing the formidable Siegried Line, a line of defenses built during World War I, and soon thereafter was engaged in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, nearly forgotten by many today despite the fact that it was the longest continuous battle of the war. With the launching of the German Ardennes Offensive in mid-December 1944, the 28th took even more punishment, putting up valiant resistance before making a fighting withdrawal in order to reorganize, refit, and receive replacements.
In early 1945, the 28th was able to extract some revenge by taking part in the Allied offensive that eliminated the Colmar Pocket and pushed the remaining German forces out of Alsace and back across the Rhine River.
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28th Infantry Division Patch (SSI)
28th Infantry Division Unit Crest (DUI)