NAME:
One Hundred Third Infantry Division / 103rd Division
NICKNAME:
"Cactus Division"
NICKNAME HISTORY:
The 103rd Infantry Division, the "Cactus" division, is so called after the 103rd's shoulder patch, a cactus in a gold circle. The cactus is representative of the states whose troops formed the unit in the early 1920s: Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
From: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=...duleId=10006154
PATCH HISTORY:
The division insignia consists of a yellow disc with a green Saguaro cactus superimposed upon a patch of blue, and was adopted in 1922 when this reserve division had its headquarters in Denver, Colorado. The yellow disc represents a golden sky, while the green cactus growing out of the blue sage-covered earth characterizes the southwest.
From: http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/eto-ob/103ID-ETO.htm
BATTLE HONORS:
World War II
Rhineland
Central Europe
ACTIVATED:
1921
Nov 15, 1942
DEACTIVATED:
Nov 14, 1942
Sept 22, 1945
HISTORY:
Pre-World War II
The 103rd Infantry Division was activated in Denver, Colorado as an organized reserve division in 1921. It was not until 1922 that the division adopted its insignia showing a yellow disc with a green Saguaro cactus superimposed upon a patch of blue.
World War II
Activated: 15 November 1942
Overseas: 6 October 1944
Campaigns: Rhineland, Central Europe
Awards: DSC-12; DSM-1; SS-299; LM-3; SM-14; BSM-2,669; AM-92
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Charles C. Hoffner, Jr. (November 1942-January 1945), Maj. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe (January-July 1945), Brig. Gen. John N. Robinson (August 1945 to inactivation).
Returned to U. S.: 10 September 1945
Inactivated: 22 September 1945
Combat Chronicle
The 103d Infantry Division arrived at Marseilles, France, 20 October 1944. It relieved the 3d Division at Chevry, 8 November, and attacked west of St. Dié, 16 November, in its drive through the Vosges Mountains. Meeting heavy resistance all the way, it crossed the Meurthe River, took St. Dié, 23 November and captured Diefenbach on 29 November and Selestat on 4 December.
The Division crossed the Zintzel River at Griesbach, 10 December. Pushing through Glimbach, the 103d crossed the Lauter River into Germany, 15 December, and assaulted the outer defenses of the Siegfried Line. On the 22d, the Division moved west to the Sarreguemines area where an active defense was maintained. The enemy offensive did not develop in its sector and the 103d moved to Reichshofen, 14 January 1945, to take up positions along the Sauer River. Defensive patrols were active and a limited attack on Soufflenheim on the 19th was repulsed by the enemy. On the 20th, the Division withdrew to the Moder and repulsed German advances near Muehlhausen, 23-25 January. The 103d's offensive began, 15 March 1945. Crossing the Moder and Zintzel Rivers and taking Muehlhausen against sharp opposition, the Division moved over the Lauter River and penetrated the defenses of the Siegfried Line. As German resistance disintegrated, the 103d reached the Rhine Valley, 23 March, and engaged in mopping up operations in the plain west of the Rhine River. In April it received occupational duties until 20 April when it resumed the offensive, pursuing a fleeing enemy through Stuttgart and taking Münsingen on the 24th. Crossing the Danube near Ulm on the 26th, it took Innsbruck on 3 May and reached the Brenner Pass on the 4th. After Victory in Europe Day the Division received occupational duties until it left for home and inactivation.
Assignments in the European Theater of Operations
1 November 1944: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
6 November 1944: VI Corps.
22 December 1944: XV Corps.
9 January 1945: XXI Corps.
16 January 1945: VI Corps.
29 March 1945: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
19 April 1945: VI Corps.
Divisional history from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_103rd_Infantry_Division
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/eto-ob/103ID-ETO.htm