Americal Division
The Americal Division was an infantry division of the United States Army during World War II and the Vietnam War.
| Americal Division | |
|---|---|
Americal Division shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 1942–1945 1954–1956 1967–1971 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Regular Army |
| Nickname(s) | Americal |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Engagements | World War II
Vietnam War
|
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Valorous Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | MG Alexander M. Patch, Jr. BG Edmund Sebree MG John R. Hodge MG Robert B. McClure MG William H. Arnold MG Samuel W. Koster MG James L. Baldwin MG Frederick J. Kroesen |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia | |
The division was activated 27 May 1942 on the island of New Caledonia. In the immediate emergency following Pearl Harbor, the United States had hurriedly sent a task force to defend New Caledonia against a feared Japanese attack. This division was the only division formed outside of United States territory during World War II (a distinction it would repeat when reformed during the Vietnam War). At the suggestion of a subordinate, the division's commander, Major General Alexander Patch, requested that the new unit be known as the Americal Division—the name being a contraction of "American, New Caledonian Division". This was unusual, as with the exception of the Philippine Division, all other U.S. divisions were known by a number. After World War II the Americal Division was officially re-designated as the 23rd Infantry Division. However, it was rarely referred to as such, even on official orders.
During the Vietnam War the division had a mixed record. It combined participation in numerous battles and campaigns but also in the My Lai massacre, which was committed by a platoon of the division's subordinate 11th Infantry Brigade, led by Lieutenant William Calley.
The division suffered a tactical defeat in the early morning of 28 March 1971, when Vietcong sapper commandos successfully infiltrated FSB Mary Ann. The attack destroyed key infrastructure, as well as killing 33 and wounding 83 Americans.
The division was deactivated following its withdrawal from South Vietnam in November 1971.