In an article published in the tulsa world on november 11, 2008, segrave told manny gamallo about what he witnessed on april 29, 1945 when he took part in the liberation of dachau. As a result of this unified effort, the 42nd infantry division was born in august and. Armys 42nd infantry division stood its ground during world war ii allyn vannoy it was bitter cold with a foot of snow on the ground and no moonlight the night of january 24, 1945, as the green gis of the 42nd rainbow divisions 222nd infantry regiment strained to see the enemy. The 42nd infantry division, a part of the new york national guard since 1947, was born a 100 years ago on august 5, 1917 as a way to get 27,000 troops to france quickly during. The rainbow alludes to the shoulder sleeve insignia of the division and spanning across two fleursdelis symbolize their combat service in france during both world war i and world war ii. In 1917 men were selected from various units of the national guard of 26 states and the district of columbia to form a truly representative division with a view towards bringing the war home to the people. Stanley illsley 42nd rainbow division wwii update 62112. In 1944, theres a rainbow in the army was published, and remains the 42nd infantry divisions official song to this day.
We use the traditional book grading system of from best to worst. Wwii 42nd infantry division shoulder patch rainbow. Rainbow division veterans association, records unl libraries. As allied troops moved across europe in a series of offensives against nazi germany, they found tens of thousands of concentration. It was numerically designated the 42d division, and called the rainbow division by general douglas macarthur, then colonel and newly. Except for the division headquarters, none of its earlier elements had reformed in the interwar period, so the army ground forces filled its new units with personnel from every state. On the next day it was announced that the command would become part of the 42nd rainbow division and on august 28, 1917 a force of 3,677 officers and men left montgomery on eight trains for camp mills on long island to join its new division. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. Rainbow division that represented the united states formed.
It was the unit in which my father served as a very young man. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore armory in troy, new york with the new york national guard. The map can be zoomed in and purchased at historyshots. The shell is maker marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads zd. Buy the 42nd infantry rainbow division in wwii by walt cross paperback online at lulu. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york the division headquarters is a unit of the new york army national guard. Army infantry division, 42nd, world war, 19391945, world war, 19391945 regimental histories united states, world war ii, united states. The 42nd infantry rainbow division s history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. From its activation in august 1917 through the armistice in november 1918 the 42nd was in combat longer than any other american division and suffered more than 50% casualties. Last week kelly and i went to albany, ny, to attend the annual reunion of the 42nd rainbow division, the army unit featured in the soldier, the avatar, and the holocaust. The 42 nd rainbow division was activated in august 1917 and arrived in france that november. About 25,000 strong the division was made up of national guardsmen from 26 states, said by colonel douglas macarthur to cover the united states like a rainbow. Nice unit history of the 2nd battalion, 242nd infantry regiment, 42nd rainbow division. A world war ii hero of the rainbow division will be featured in a netflix series about medal of honor recipients.
See more ideas about world war ii, magazine street new orleans and history. Army 2nd bn 242nd inf 42nd division unit history book. Insignia of the 42nd rainbow division, 1985, by rainbow division veterans association. A book of facts concerning the army of the united states u. American officers from the 42nd rainbow division browse. One of a series of nearly 800 negatives from the 222nd that i acquired last year. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history began with americas entry into world war i. Collins, then brigadier general, recalled the words of general macarthur on that. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave.
Monath would go on to become a composer of popular tunes, music for motion pictures including the iconic blackboard jungle, and an author of numerous books on music and chess. Following the end of wwi, the officers of the rainbow division formed the rainbow division veterans association, which eventually. Rabbi bohnen joined the us army in 1943 and served as assistant chaplain with the 42nd infantry division at the rank of major. The 42nd rainbow division reunion and book launch ronni sanlo. During its time in france the rainbow division participated in six major campaigns and suffered over 50% casualties. Rose, of toledo, ohio, was with the 42nd rainbow division during the liberation of dachau. In april 1945, carl segrave from broken arrow, ok was a 19yearold soldier in the 222nd infantry regiment of the 42nd rainbow division of the u. Official story of the 166th infantry, 42nd division, in the world war raymond minshall cheseldine f. It is a history made possible not by individual achievement, but by the combined effort of all. The 42nd infantry division, a part of the new york national guard since 1947, was born a 100 years ago on august 5, 1917 as a. Audiovisual boxes 89107 audio cassette materials are contained within boxes 89102. Roster rainbow division 42nd world war i wwi one book. To check the negative implications of this competition and.
In 1944, theres a rainbow in the army was published, and remains the 42nd infantry division s official song to this day. It served in the 42nd infantry division for the duration of the second world war, and was then deactivated. It lays out the steps leading up to the battle of hatten to the liberation of dachau. The 42nd landed in france in december 1944 and as part of the 7th army, advanced through france and entered germany in march of 1945. These items document the 42nd rainbow division and the rainbow division veterans association as they relate to individuals who were active in the organization. Character sketches and history of the first battalion 166th infantry, 42nd division, american expeditionary force classic reprint by alison reppy feb 10, 2017 3. This vintage map chart the journey of the 42nd infantry division throughout europe during world war ii. Rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. It is the story of his contribution to the safety and security of the people of his country and of the world. Marion county although mail service between american soldiers in the folks back home is being improved as rapidly as possible, it often happens that the soldiers are situated where, for a few weeks, they do not have access to post office and. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave echoed through the decades, through the. Honoring the heroes of wwii s 42nd infantry rainbow division. Amidst the rush by america to mobilize, individual states competed with each other for the honor to be the first to send their national guard units to fight in the trenches of europe. The 42nd infantry division the holocaust encyclopedia.
Wwii rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. This book is a wonderful companion to other books about wwii. Master sergeant vito bertoldo, a company 1st battalion 222 infantry regiment 42d infantry division received the medal of honor for his action in hatten, france 910 january 1945. The rainbow division organized and trained on long island for little over a month. Thank you, ian martinroster of the rainbow division 42nd compiled and edited by lieut. The 42nd rainbow division reunion and book launch ronni. Wwii germany, januarymay 1945 launched last week at a very special event.
Internet archive bookreader 42nd rainbow infantry division. The sun, adapted from the seal of the state of new york, refers to the location and home area of the 42nd infantry division. The rainbow division amassed one of the finest fighting records of any division regular, volunteer or national guard in the american expeditionary force. Vernon lawrence larry petersen was a technical sergeant in the 42nd rainbow division of the us seventh army during ww ii. The 42nd infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. Government printing office, 1950 reproduced at the united. A member of the 222nd antitank company of the 42nd division snaps a photo while a convoy of trucks rolls through a small bavarian town. First 19 pages cover the combat history of the unit. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history as a unit began with americas entry into world. When formed and activated for world war ii, the 42id was a unique unit, as it was a reconstitution of the rainbow division from world war i.
Roster of the rainbow division fortysecond major general. Angered by the sight of it, we hauled down that nazi flag and burned it. Apr 25, 2010 vernon lawrence larry petersen was a technical sergeant in the 42nd rainbow division of the us seventh army during ww ii. The 42nd infantry division has served in world war i, world war ii and the. My book the soldier, the avatar, and the holocaust. Rainbow reactivation operation nordwind liberation of dachau. His son, bruce petersen, wrote in an email to me that as was the case with many ww ii veterans, he would rarely talk about the. He led a passover seder in germany in march 1945 for over 1500 american soldiers of the 42nd rainbow infantry division and printed a haggadah for the seder, known as the rainbow haggadah. The regiment distinguished itself in battle against the wehrmacht and earned the presidential unit citation for courageous action. Hold at all cost 42nd rainbow division prisoners of war. To check the negative implications of this competition and to minimize the impact the mobilization could have upon any. The 222nd infantry regiment was an infantry regiment of the united states army, aus. Publications include books about the 42nd rainbow division and. The 42nd infantry division stretches like a rainbow from one end of america to the other.
The 42d infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard. The 42nd infantry rainbow division in wwii by walt cross. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york. This history of the rainbow is a record of the accomplishments of every man who served in the division. Stanley illsley 42nd rainbow division wwii update 62112 dillsley24. A hardcover book in good condition with 543 pages, hinges are broken, some foxing and yellowing, t is a sticker on the inside front cover, see pictures.