World War I

Saw no combat; was activated 25 August 1917, went overseas in August 1918, returned to United States in November 1918, and was inactivated in January 1919.

Commanders:

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Barry (25 August 1917)
Brig. Gen. Lyman W. V. Kennon (26 November 1917)
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Barry (15 February 1918)
Brig. Gen. Lyman W. V. Kennon (21 March 1918)
Brig. Gen. Charles H. Martin (18 April 1918)
Maj. Gen. Charles H. Martin (30 April 1918)
Brig. Gen. Lincoln C. Andrews (19 October 1918).

World War II

Activated: 15 December 1942.

Overseas: 19 February 1945, for the ETO; 24 August 1945, for the Pacific.

Campaigns: Central Europe.

Days of combat: 34.

Awards: DSC-2 ; DSM-1 ; SS-12 ; LM-1; SM-1 ; BSM282 ; AM-2.

Commanders:

Maj. Gen. Alexander E. Anderson (December 1942)
Maj. Gen. Harris M. McLasky (4 January 1943-December 1945)
Maj. Gen. Paul J. Mueller (January 1946-April 1946)
Maj. Gen. Harry F. Hazlett (June 1946 to inactivation).

Returned to U.S.: 17 June 1945, from the ETO.

Overseas: 24 August 1945.

Inactivated: 30 December 1946 on Leyte, Philippine Islands.

Combat Chronicle

The 86th Infantry Division arrived in France, 4 March 1945, and moved to Koln, Germany, taking over defensive positions near Weiden, 24 March, in relief of the 8th Infantry Division. After a short period of patrolling on both sides of the Rhine, the Division was relieved, and moved across the Rhine to Eibelshausen, Germany, 5 April. In a rapid offensive advance, the 86th moved across the Bigge River, cleared Attendorn, 11 April, and continued on to the Ruhr, taking part in the Ruhr pocket fighting. On 21 April, the Division moved to Ansbach and continued to advance, taking Eichstatt on the 25th, crossing the Danube on the 27th, securing the bridge over the Amper Canal, 29 April, crossing the Isar and reaching Mittel Isar Canal by the end of the month. The Division was ordered to take Wasserburg, 1 May, and leading elements had reached the outskirts of the city when they were ordered to withdraw, 2 May, and to move east to Salzburg. The Division was securing the left flank of the XV Corps, when the war in Europe ended. After processing German prisoners of war, it was redeployed to the United States, arriving in New York 17 June 1945. The Division trained briefly at Camp Gruber, Okla., 21 June-11 August 1945; and then left San Francisco, 24 August 1945, for the Philippines.

Assignments in the ETO

30 January 1945: Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group.
22 March 1945: VII Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group.
30 March 1945: XXII Corps, Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group.
5 April 1945: XVIII (Abn) Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group.
19 April 1945: Third Army, 12th Army Group.
22 April 1945: III Corps.
2 May 1945: XV Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.

General

Nickname: Blackhawk Division. Shoulder patch: Small red shield with initials “B” and “H” in black superimposed upon a design of a blackhawk superimposed, in turn, upon a red shield. Publication: Pictorial Review; by unit members; Albert Love Enterprises, Atlanta 2, Ga.; 1944.