44th Infantry Division (United States)
| 44th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
Divisional shoulder patch.
|
|
| Active | 1920–45 1946–54 |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Motto(s) | Prepared in all things |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation (3) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Maj. Gen. William F. Dean |
The 44th Infantry Division was a division of the United States Army National Guard from October 1920 to November 1945, when it was inactivated after Federal Service during World War II. A second 44th Infantry Division existed in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1946 until October 1954, when that division was disbanded after federal service during the Korean War.
Originally named the 44th Division, it was constituted on 19 October 1920 as a National Guard Division, as a result of the National Defense Act of 1920's major expansion of the National Guard. As originally conceived, the division was to consist of National Guard units from the States of Delaware, New Jersey and New York. However, units from the State of Delaware were never assigned to the division. The 57th Infantry Brigade from the New Jersey Army National Guard (NJARNG) and the 87th Infantry Brigade of the New York Army National Guard (NYARNG) were incorporated almost immediately and growth continued piecemeal, as subordinate units were organized, until 1940. The shoulder sleeve insignia (unit patch) of the 44th Division was approved by the Secretary of War on 5 October 1921. The division was formally organized and federally recognized on 26 March 1924.
The 44th Division participated in the First Army Maneuvers in Upstate New York from 7–24 August 1940, prior to being inducted into federal service for twelve months of training on 16 September 1940. Posted at Fort Dix, New Jersey during 1940–1941, the division's training culminated in the Carolina Maneuvers, September–December 1941.
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