U.S. 27th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 27th Infantry Division was a unit of the Army National Guard
in World War I
and World War II
. The Division traces its history from the 6th Division, made up of New York units and formed in May 1917. The 6th Division designation was changed to the 27th Division in July 1917.
Note: The Artillery elements were reassigned upon arrival in France, and those elements did not see service with the 27th Division during combat.
, South Carolina. Nearby hotels such as the Cleveland Hotel became centers for social life. The camp also house seven YMCA Huts and a Knights of Columbus Hall. While the 27th did have African American service-men they were not permitted to enter the service organization clubs on base which were segregated, until a black soldier's club was built in early 1918 (Spartanburg County Historical Association, http://www.schistory.net/campwadsworth/chapter7.html).
6:35 – Mess.
6:55 – Sick call.
7:00-Fatigue.
7:05-Stables.
7:25-First Call.
7:30-Assembly for Drill.
11:30-Recall from Drill.
11:35-First Sergeant's call.
12 Noon-Mess.
12:55 P.M-First Call for Drill.
1:00-Drill.
5:30-Recall.
5:40-First Call for Retreat.
5:45-Assembly.
5:55-Retreat.
6:00-Mess Call.
9:00-Tattoo.
10:45-Call to Quarters.
11:00 Taps.2
9th,
Americal and the
2nd Armored Divisions) to engage in offensive combat operations during the last months of 1942. They first saw action in the attack and capture of Makin Atoll
in the Gilbert Islands
, 21–24 November 1943. Two battalions of the 106th Regiment participated in the attack on Eniwetok Atoll
, 19–26 February 1944, returning to Oahu
in March. During this mission, one battalion landed unopposed on Majuro
Island, 1 February, and completed its seizure, 3 February. The division began preparations for the Marianas operations
, 15 March. On D-day
plus 1, 16 June 1944, elements landed at night on Saipan
to support the Second and Fourth Marine Divisions. A beachhead was established and Aslito Airfield captured, 18 June. Fighting continued throughout June. During a pitched battle, 7 July, Japanese overran elements of the division in a banzai attack, but organized resistance was crushed the next day. During the months of July and August, the 27th cleaned out isolated pockets in the mountains and cliffs of Saipan
.
Beginning in the middle of August, the division moved to the New Hebrides
for rest and rehabilitation. On
25 March 1945, the 27th sailed from Espiritu Santo
, arriving at Okinawa
, 9 April 1945. The Division participated in the XXIV Corps general attack, 19 April 1945, securing a dominating ridge line south of Machinato and Kakazu. Machinato Airfield was captured, 28 April, after a severe struggle. On 1 May, the division was relieved by the 1st Marine Division and attached to the Island Command for garrison duty. Tori Shima
was seized, 12 May, without opposition. The 27th attacked from the south end of Ishikawa Isthmus to sweep the northern sector of Okinawa. The enemy fought bitterly on Onnatake Hill from 23 May until 2 June, before losing the strong point. After a mopping-up period, the division left Okinawa, 7 September 1945, moved to Japan and occupied Niigata
and Fukushima Prefecture
s.
in 1967–68. The 27th Brigade of the New York ARNG carries on the lineage and history of the Division. In 1986, the SSI of the unit was amended for use by the 27th Infantry Brigade (later, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team).
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The Division traces its history from the 6th Division, made up of New York units and formed in May 1917. The 6th Division designation was changed to the 27th Division in July 1917.
World War I
The New York 27th Division was one of only three Divisions formed up entirely from a single state National Guard, the other two being Illinois and Pennsylvania. As a result all the National Guard members of the 27th joined from New York, however, not all New Yorkers served in the 27th.- Designated: 20 July 1917 as the 27th Division of the New York National Guard.
- Deployed Designation: 27th Division, American Expeditionary Force
- Activated: July 1917 (National Guard Division from New York).
- Initial Strength: 991 officers and 27,114 enlisted men.
- Shipped Out: 20 April 1918.
- Casualties: Total 8,334 (KIAKilled in actionKilled in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
: 1,442; WIAWounded in actionWounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
: 6,892). - Inactivated: April 1919.
Commanders
- Maj. Gen. John F. O'RyanJohn F. O'RyanJohn Francis O'Ryan was Commanding General of the 27th Division during World War I.-Career:During the mid 1920s O'Ryan was New York State Transit Commissioner, and was also involved in the early passenger aviation industry.He briefly held the position of New York City Police Commissioner from...
(16 July 1917); - Brig. Gen. C. L. Phillips (19 September 1917);
- Maj. Gen. J. F. O'Ryan (6 December 1917);
- Brig. Gen. C. L. Phillips (23 December 1917);
- Maj. Gen. J. F. O'Ryan (29 December 1917);
- Brig. Gen. C. L. Phillips (22 February 1918);
- Maj. Gen. J. F. O'Ryan (1 March 1918);
- Brig. Gen. Palmer E. Pierce (16 June 1918);
- Maj. Gen. J. F. O'Ryan (18 June 1918);
- Brig. Gen. Palmer E. Pierce (14 November 1918);
- Maj. Gen. J. F. O'Ryan (23 November 1918)
Chain of Command Deployed
- Fourth Army, British Expeditionary Force
- II Corps, American Expeditionary Force
Initial Organization carried over from 6th Division
- Three Brigades
- Three Infantry Regiments each
Organization Jul – Nov 1917
- Headquarters Division
- 1st Brigade
- 7th Infantry
- 12th Infantry
- 14th Infantry
- 2nd Brigade
- 1st Infantry
- 23rd Infantry
- 71st Infantry
- 3rd Brigade
- 2nd Infantry
- 3rd Infantry108th Infantry Regiment (United States)The 108th Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the New York Army National Guard. It was first formed in 1898 and has been in continuous existence since 1907. As National Guardsmen, Soldiers of the 108th Infantry can be called upon to serve the state and Federal governments...
- 74th Infantry
- Brigade Field Artillery
- 1st Field Artillery
- 2nd Field Artillery
- 3rd Field Artillery
- 1st Cavalry
- Squadron A and Machine Gun Troop
- 22nd Engineers
- 1st Battalion, Signal Corps
- Trains
- Military Police
- Ammunition Train
- Supply Train
- Engineer Train
- Sanitary Train
- Headquarters Ambulance Companies
- 1st Ambulance Company
- 2nd Ambulance Company
- 3rd Ambulance Company
- 4th Ambulance Company
- Headquarters Field Hospital
- 1st Field Hospital
- 2nd Field Hospital
- 3rd Field Hospital
- 4th Field Hospital
- Headquarters Ambulance Companies
- 1st Brigade
Organization from Nov 1917
- Initially 3 Brigades consisting of 3 infantry regiments each, for a total of nine regiments
- Reorganized into 2 Brigades of 2 infantry regiments each
- Final Organization before deployment
- 53rd Infantry Brigade (now 53rd Troop Command)
- 105th Infantry Regiment
- 106th Infantry Regiment
- 54th Infantry Brigade
- 107th Infantry Regiment
- 108th Infantry Regiment108th Infantry Regiment (United States)The 108th Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the New York Army National Guard. It was first formed in 1898 and has been in continuous existence since 1907. As National Guardsmen, Soldiers of the 108th Infantry can be called upon to serve the state and Federal governments...
- 52nd Field Artillery Brigade
- 104th Field Artillery (75mm) Regiment
- 105th Field Artillery (75mm) Regiment
- 106th Field Artillery (155mm Howitzer) Regiment
- 102nd Trench Mortar Battery (assigned to Division)
- Divisional Machine Gun Brigade
- 104th Machine Gun Battalion (assigned to Division)
- 105th Machine Gun Battalion (assigned to 53rd Infantry Brigade)
- 106th Machine Gun Battalion (assigned to 54th Infantry Brigade)
- 102nd Divisional Trains Headquarters
- 102nd Ammunition Train
- 102nd Supply Train
- 102nd Regt, Engineers
- 102nd Engineer Train
- 102nd Sanitary Train
- 105th Ambulance Company
- 106th Ambulance Company
- 107th Ambulance Company
- 108th Ambulance Company
- 102nd Field Signal Battalion
- 27th Military Police Company
- 53rd Infantry Brigade (now 53rd Troop Command)
Note: The Artillery elements were reassigned upon arrival in France, and those elements did not see service with the 27th Division during combat.
Training
Prior to departing to training, the Division participated in a large send off parade in New York City along 5th Avenue on 30 August 1917. The 7th Infantry Regiment was the first to leave for training on Sept 11, 1917 by train. The training was conducted at a purpose built temporary facility at Camp Wadsworth, SpartanburgSpartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
, South Carolina. Nearby hotels such as the Cleveland Hotel became centers for social life. The camp also house seven YMCA Huts and a Knights of Columbus Hall. While the 27th did have African American service-men they were not permitted to enter the service organization clubs on base which were segregated, until a black soldier's club was built in early 1918 (Spartanburg County Historical Association, http://www.schistory.net/campwadsworth/chapter7.html).
Camp Schedule
6:15 A.M.-Reveille and assembly.6:35 – Mess.
6:55 – Sick call.
7:00-Fatigue.
7:05-Stables.
7:25-First Call.
7:30-Assembly for Drill.
11:30-Recall from Drill.
11:35-First Sergeant's call.
12 Noon-Mess.
12:55 P.M-First Call for Drill.
1:00-Drill.
5:30-Recall.
5:40-First Call for Retreat.
5:45-Assembly.
5:55-Retreat.
6:00-Mess Call.
9:00-Tattoo.
10:45-Call to Quarters.
11:00 Taps.2
Combat Record
- Major Operations: Meuse-ArgonneMeuse-Argonne OffensiveThe Meuse-Argonne Offensive, or Maas-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire western front.-Overview:...
(only the artillery), Ypres-Lys, Somme offensiveBattle of the Somme (disambiguation)-Battles:Battle of the Somme commonly refers to the major Anglo-French offensive in 1916 during World War I; however, the postwar Battles Nomenclature Committee divided this campaign into a series of battles...
. - Saw service with several British and the 30th Infantry Division, U.S. Army.
- Initially stationed in the East Poperinghe Line.
- Battle of Dickebusche Lake, Summer 1918
- Battle of Vierstratt Ridge, Summer 1918
- Struggled to break the German defensive Hindenburg Line, September 1918.
- Somme Offensive, 25 September 1918
- Le Selle River, Winter 1918
- The 27th did break the Hindenburg line during the Battle of the Somme and forced a German retreat from their defensive line and forced the Germans to a final confrontation. After a final confrontation with the retreating Germans at the Le Selle River the Armistice ended the fighting and the division was sent home in February 1919, to be mustered out several months later.
World War II
- Activated: 15 October 1940 sent to Fort McClellan for training.
- First division to be deployed in continental US, December 14, 1941 sent to southern California.
- Overseas: 10 March 1942.
- Campaigns: Various elements participated in several campaigns in the PacificPacific Theater of OperationsThe Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
but not the entire division. - Distinguished Unit Citations: 2.
- Awards: MHMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
: 3; DSCDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
: 21; DSM: 2 ; Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
: 412; LMLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
: 15; SM: 13; BSMBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
: 986; AM: 9. - Commanders:
- Maj. Gen. William N. Haskell (October 1940 – October 1941)
- Brig. Gen. Ralph McT. Pennell (November 1941 – October 1942)
- Maj. Gen. Ralph C. SmithRalph C. SmithRalph Corbett Smith was a highly decorated Major General of the United States Army. After receiving early training as a pilot from Orville Wright he served General John J. Pershing's army against Pancho Villa, became decorated for bravery in World War I and commanded an infantry division in combat...
(November 1942 – May 1944) - Maj. Gen. George W. Griner, Jr. (June 1944 – December 1945)
- Returned to U.S.: 15 December 1945
- Inactivated: 31 December 1945
Organization
- 105th, 106th, 165th Infantry Regiments ("The Fighting 69th")
- 104th, 105th, 106th and 249th Field Artillery Battalions
- 102nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 152nd Engineer Combat Battalion.
- 27th Quartermaster Co. (originally the 102nd Quartermaster Bn.)
Combat chronicle
The 27th Infantry Division arrived in Hawaii, 21 May 1942, to defend the outer islands from amphibious attack. Elements of the division were among one of five divisions (among the 3rd,9th,
Americal and the
2nd Armored Divisions) to engage in offensive combat operations during the last months of 1942. They first saw action in the attack and capture of Makin Atoll
Battle of Makin
The Battle of Makin was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20 November to 24 November 1943, on Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.-Japanese invasion and fortification:...
in the Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
, 21–24 November 1943. Two battalions of the 106th Regiment participated in the attack on Eniwetok Atoll
Battle of Eniwetok
-External links:* *...
, 19–26 February 1944, returning to Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
in March. During this mission, one battalion landed unopposed on Majuro
Majuro
Majuro , is a large coral atoll of 64 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. The atoll itself has a land area of and encloses a lagoon of...
Island, 1 February, and completed its seizure, 3 February. The division began preparations for the Marianas operations
Mariana and Palau Islands campaign
The Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, also known as Operation Forager, was an offensive launched by United States forces against Imperial Japanese forces in the Mariana Islands and Palau in the Pacific Ocean between June and November, 1944 during the Pacific War...
, 15 March. On D-day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
plus 1, 16 June 1944, elements landed at night on Saipan
Battle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...
to support the Second and Fourth Marine Divisions. A beachhead was established and Aslito Airfield captured, 18 June. Fighting continued throughout June. During a pitched battle, 7 July, Japanese overran elements of the division in a banzai attack, but organized resistance was crushed the next day. During the months of July and August, the 27th cleaned out isolated pockets in the mountains and cliffs of Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
.
Beginning in the middle of August, the division moved to the New Hebrides
New Hebrides
New Hebrides was the colonial name for an island group in the South Pacific that now forms the nation of Vanuatu. The New Hebrides were colonized by both the British and French in the 18th century shortly after Captain James Cook visited the islands...
for rest and rehabilitation. On
25 March 1945, the 27th sailed from Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, with an area of . It belongs to the archipelago of the New Hebrides in the Pacific region of Melanesia. It is in the Sanma Province of Vanuatu....
, arriving at Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
, 9 April 1945. The Division participated in the XXIV Corps general attack, 19 April 1945, securing a dominating ridge line south of Machinato and Kakazu. Machinato Airfield was captured, 28 April, after a severe struggle. On 1 May, the division was relieved by the 1st Marine Division and attached to the Island Command for garrison duty. Tori Shima
Torishima (Izu Islands)
, literally meaning "Bird Island", is an uninhabited volcanic island at the south end of the Izu Islands in the Pacific Ocean, administered by Japan.-Geography:...
was seized, 12 May, without opposition. The 27th attacked from the south end of Ishikawa Isthmus to sweep the northern sector of Okinawa. The enemy fought bitterly on Onnatake Hill from 23 May until 2 June, before losing the strong point. After a mopping-up period, the division left Okinawa, 7 September 1945, moved to Japan and occupied Niigata
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
and Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Fukushima.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Fukushima prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....
s.
Postwar
The Division was reformed as a National Guard formation after the war, and from 1954 to 1967 was designated the 27th Armored Division. The division was reorganized as a brigade of the 50th Armored Division50th Armored Division (United States)
The 50th Armored Division was a division of the Army National Guard from July 1946 until 1993.-History:On 13 October 1945 the War Department published a postwar policy statement for the entire Army, calling for a 27-division Army National Guard structure with 25 infantry divisions and 2 armored...
in 1967–68. The 27th Brigade of the New York ARNG carries on the lineage and history of the Division. In 1986, the SSI of the unit was amended for use by the 27th Infantry Brigade (later, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team).