Americal Division
| 23rd Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
23rd Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
|
|
| Active | 1942–45 1954–56 1967–71 |
| Country |
 United States |
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Regular Army |
| Nickname(s) | Americal |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Engagements |
World War II
|
| Decorations |
Presidential Unit Citation Valorous Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
MG Alexander M. Patch, Jr. BG Edmund Sebree MG John R. Hodge MG Robert B. McClure MG William H. Arnold MG Samuel W. Koster MG James L. Baldwin MG Frederick J. Kroesen |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia |  |
World War II
The 23rd Infantry Division, more commonly known as the Americal Division, of the United States Army was activated 27 May 1942 on the island of New Caledonia. In the immediate emergency following Pearl Harbor, the United States had hurriedly sent three individual regiments to defend New Caledonia against a feared Japanese attack. This division was the only division formed outside of United States territory during World War II (a distinction it would repeat when reformed during the Vietnam War). At the suggestion of a subordinate, the division's commander, Major General Alexander Patch, requested that the new unit be known as the Americal Division—the name being a contraction of "American, New Caledonian Division". This was unusual, as most U.S. divisions are known by a number. After World War II the Americal Division was officially re-designated as the 23rd Infantry Division. However, it was rarely referred to as such, even on official orders.
During the Vietnam War the division had a mixed record. It combined solid service in numerous battles and campaigns with the My Lai massacre, which was committed by a platoon of the division's subordinate 11th Infantry Brigade, led by Lieutenant William Calley. The division was inactivated following its withdrawal from Vietnam in November 1971.
The 164th Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division went into action on Guadalcanal on 13 October 1942 alongside the 1st Marine Division as the first United States Army unit to conduct an offensive operation against the enemy in either the Pacific or European Theater of Operations during World War II. Eight other U.S. Army divisions began offensive combat operations in late 1942: the 32nd and the 41st Infantry Divisions in the Pacific on New Guinea; and in North Africa, the 1st, 3rd, 9th, and 34th Infantry Divisions, and the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions.)
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