90th Infantry Division | |
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90th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
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Active | 1917–19 1921–45 1995–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Garrison/HQ | Moffett Field |
Nickname(s) | "Tough 'Ombres" (special designation) Texas-Oklahoma Division |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (Died before taking command) James A. Van Fleet Raymond S. McLain |
The 90th Infantry Division ("Tough 'Ombres") was a unit of the United States Army that served in World War I and World War II. Its lineage is carried on by the 90th Sustainment Brigade.
The 90th Infantry Division landed in England, 5 April 1944, and trained from 10 April to 4 June.
First elements of the division saw action on D-Day, 6 June, on Utah Beach, Normandy, the remainder entering combat 10 June, cutting across the Merderet River to take Pont l'Abbe in heavy fighting. After defensive action along the river Douve, the division attacked to clear the Foret de Mont-Castre (Hill 122), clearing it by 11 July, in spite of fierce resistance. In this action the Division suffered 5000 killed, wounded, or captured, one of the highest casualty rates suffered in WW II. An attack on the island of Saint-Germain-sur-Sèves on 23 July failed so the 90th bypassed it and took Périers on 27 July.
On 12 August, the division drove across the Sarthe River, north and east of Le Mans, and took part in the closing of the Falaise Gap, by reaching 1st Polish Armored Division in Chambois, 19 August.
It then raced across France, through Verdun, 6 September, to participate in the siege of Metz, 14 September-19 November, capturing Maizières-lès-Metz, 30 October, and crossing the Moselle River at Kœnigsmacker, 9 November. Elements of the 90th Infantry assaulted and captured the German-held Fort de Koenigsmacker 9–12 November.