2ND INFANTRY DIVISION

Unlike most US Army patches, the 2nd Division's emblem has some unique characteristics that set it apart:

• The Size: It is one of the largest patches in the Army.
• WWI Origins: The design was actually created during World War I in France. It was originally used as a vehicle marking.
• The Legend: According to division lore, a truck driver in 1917 painted the Indian head and star on his vehicle to help identify it. The commander liked it so much he made it official.
• The Meaning: The star represents the United States, and the Native American profile represents the "fighting spirit" and heritage of the American frontier.

The "Indianhead" Division: A Tradition of Firepower

The 2nd Infantry Division, famously known by its "Indianhead" shoulder patch, was one of the most decorated and storied formations in the United States Army. Unlike many divisions activated specifically for the Second World War, the 2nd Division had a continuous history dating back to the First World War. By 1944, it was a highly trained, "Regular Army" unit prepared for the most difficult assignments of the coming invasion. Integral to the division's combat power was the 12th Field Artillery Battalion (12th FA Bn). In the "Triangular" division structure of the era, the 12th FA provided the "heavy" weight of metal. While the other artillery battalions in the division used the lighter 105mm howitzers, the 12th FA was equipped with the massive 155mm M1 howitzers. These "heavy hitters" were designed to provide long-range support, capable of smashing enemy fortifications and disrupting German reinforcements far behind the front lines.

The 2nd Infantry Division was made up of 3 Infantry Regiments:

• Division HQ
• 9th Infantry Regiment
• 23rd Infantry Regiment
• 38th Infantry Regiment

Each regiment was made up of a Regiment HQ and 3 Battalions (3 Regiments each with 3 battalions = 9 Battalions in total)

9th Infantry Regiment

• Regimental HQ
• 1st Battalion
• 2nd Battalion
• 3rd Battalion

23rd Infantry Regiment

• Regimental HQ
• 1st Battalion
• 2nd Battalion
• 3rd Battalion

38th Infantry Regiment

• Regimental HQ
• 1st Battalion
• 2nd Battalion
• 3rd Battalion

Each battalion was made up of a battalion HQ company and 4 alphabetic companies:

1st Battalion

• 1st Battalion HHC (Headquarters and Headquarters Company)
• A ("Able" ) Rifle Company
• B ("Baker" ) Rifle Company
• C ("Charlie" ) Rifle Company
• D ("Dog") Heavy Weapons Company (armed with machine guns and 81mm mortars to support the rifle companies)

2nd Battalion

• 2nd Battalion HHC (Headquarters and Headquarters Company)
• E ("Easy" ) Rifle Company
• F ("Fox" ) Rifle Company
• G ("George") Rifle Company
• H ("How") Heavy Weapons Company (armed with machine guns and 81mm mortars to support the rifle companies).

3rd Battalion

• 3rd Battalion HHC (Headquarters and Headquarters Company)
• I ("Item" ) Rifle Company
• K("King") Rifle Company
• L("Love") Rifle Company
• M("Mike") Heavy Weapons Company (armed with machine guns and 81mm mortars to support the rifle companies)

Division Artillery (The Big Guns)

2nd Div Artillery (Division Artillery Headquarters, - The "DIVARTY" command):

12th FA Battalion Details:

• Headquarters Battery (Hq): They handled the "brains" of the operation—radio communication, fire direction, and command.
• Battery A: 4 x 155mm Howitzers.
• Battery B: 4 x 155mm Howitzers.
• Battery C: 4 x 155mm Howitzers.
• Service Battery: The "muscle" and logistics. They ran the M5 Tractors and brought the 95lb shells forward to the guns.
• NOTE: The 12th FA Battalion, because of its larger fire power, supported the entire 2nd Division and so doesnt attach to a regiment like the others

15th FA Battalion (105mm) - Supported the 9th Inf Regiment

• Headquarters Battery (Hq)
• Battery A: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Battery B: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Battery C: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Service Battery: Managed the lorries, ammunition supply, and vehicle maintenance.

37th FA Battalion (105mm) - Supported the 23rd Regiment.

• Headquarters Battery (Hq)
• Battery A: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Battery B: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Battery C: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Service Battery: Managed the lorries, ammunition supply, and vehicle maintenance.

38th FA Battalion (105mm) - Supported the 38th Regiment..

• Headquarters Battery (Hq)
• Battery A: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Battery B: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Battery C: 4 x 105mm Howitzers.
• Service Battery: Managed the lorries, ammunition supply, and vehicle maintenance.

Other Divisional Units:

• HQ & 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion.
• HQ & 2nd Medical Battalion.
• HQ & Special Troops (Overseeing Signal, Quartermaster, and Ordnance HQs).

2nd Infantry Division Combined Summary

9th Infantry Regiment

Regiment HQ
1st Battalion: 1st Battalion HHC, A, B, C, D Companies
2nd Battalion: 2nd Battalion HHC, E, F, G, H Companies
3rd Battalion: 3rd Battalion HHC, I, K, L, M Companies
Supported by: 15th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)

23rd Infantry Regiment

Regiment HQ
1st Battalion: 1st Battalion HHC, A, B, C, D Companies
2nd Battalion: 2nd Battalion HHC, E, F, G, H Companies
3rd Battalion: 3rd Battalion HHC, I, K, L, M Companies
Supported by: 37th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)

38th Infantry Regiment

Regiment HQ
1st Battalion: 1st Battalion HHC, A, B, C, D Companies
2nd Battalion: 2nd Battalion HHC, E, F, G, H Companies
3rd Battalion: 3rd Battalion HHC, I, K, L, M Companies
Supported by: 38th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)

Note: As mentioned above, the 12th Field Artillery Battalion was in general support of the Division as a whole providing reinforcing fire. This battalion was armed with 155 mm howitzers. Therefore, it was not paired with an Infantry Regiment.

12th Field Artillery Battalion Breakdown:

• Headquarters Battalion (Hq)
• Headquarters Battery (Hq)
• Battery A: 4 x 155mm Howitzers.
• Battery B: 4 x 155mm Howitzers.
• Battery C: 4 x 155mm Howitzers.
• Service Battery: The "muscle" and logistics.
• Medical Detachment: The battalion's own doctor and medics

155mm Howitzer Specs:

• Shell Weight: Each high-explosive shell weighed about 43 kg (95 lbs which is 6.8 Stone ! ).
• Range: It could hit targets over 14 kilometres (approx. 9 miles) away.
• Transport: Towed by massive M5 or M4 high-speed tractors.