92nd Infantry Division (United States)
The 92d Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War I and World War II. Nicknamed the "Buffalo Soldier Division", this segregated unit was the only African American infantry division to see combat in Europe during WWII.
World War I
- Activated: October 1917.
- Overseas: 18 July 1918.
- Major Operations: Meuse-Argonne (less FA).
- Casualties: Total-1,647 (KIA-120; WIA-1,527).
- Commanders: Maj. Gen. Charles C. Ballou (29 October 1917), Maj. Gen. Charles H. Martin (19 November 1918), Brig. Gen. James B. Erwin (16 December 1918).
- Returned to U. S. and inactivated: February 1919.
World War II
- Activated: 15 October 1942.
- Overseas: 22 September 1944.
- Campaigns: North Apennines, Po Valley.
- Awards: DSC-2 ; DSM-1 ; SS-208; LM-8; SM-10 ; BSM-1,166.
- Commanders: Maj. Gen. Edward M. Almond (October 1942-August 1945), Brig. Gen. John E. Wood, August 1945 to inactivation).
- Returned to U. S.: 26 November 1945.
- Inactivated: 28 November 1945,
Combat Chronicle
The 370th RCT, attached to the 1st Armored Division, arrived in Naples, Italy, 1 August 1944 and entered combat on the 24th. It participated in the crossing of the Arno River, the occupation of Lucca and the pentration of the Gothic Line. Enemy resistance was negligible in its area. As Task Force 92, elements of the 92d attacked on the Ligurian coastal flank toward Massa, 5 October. By the 12th, the slight gains achieved were lost to counterattacks. On 13 October, the remainder of the Division concentrated for patrol activities.
Elements of the 92d moved to the Serchio sector, 3 November 1944, and advanced in the Serchio River Valley against light resistance, but the attempt to capture Castelnuovo did not succeed. Patrol activities continued until 26 December when the enemy attacked, forcing units of the 92nd to withdraw. The attack ended on 28 December. Aside from patrols and reconnaissance, units of the 92d attacked in the Serchio sector, 5-8 February 1945, but enemy counterattacks nullified Division advances. On 1 April, the 370th Regiment and the attached 442d Infantry Regiment (Nisei) attacked in the Ligurian coastal sector and drove rapidly north against light opposition.
The 370th took over the Serchio sector and pursued a retreating enemy from 18 April until the collapse of enemy forces, 29 April 1945. Elements of the 92d Division entered La Spezia and Genoa on the 27th and took over selected towns along the Ligurian coast until the enemy surrendered, 2 May 1945.
General
- Nickname: Buffalo Soldiers Division.
- Slogan: Deeds, not words.
- Shoulder patch: Black-bordered circular patch, black buffalo on olive drab field.
References
- The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S.
Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/lineage/cc/cc.htm