U.S. 9th Armored Division

9th Armored Division
9th Armored Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	15 July 1942 – 13 October 1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Armor
Role	Armored warfare
Size	Division
Nickname(s)	"Phantom"
Engagements	World War II Rhineland Ardennes-Alsace Central Europe
Commanders
Notable commanders	Geoffrey Keyes, John W. Leonard, Thomas L. Harrold

World War II

The 9th Armored Division (the "Phantom Division") was an armored division of the United States Army during World War II. In honor of their World War II service, the 9th was officially nicknamed the "Phantom Division."

The 9th Armored Division was cited for extraordinary heroism and gallantry in combat in the vicinity of Waldbillig and Savelborn, Luxembourg from 16–22 December 1944 during which they repulsed constant and determined attacks by an entire German division. Outnumbered five to one, with its infantry rifle companies surrounded for most of the time, clerks, cooks, mechanics, drivers and others manned the 10,000 yards (9,100 m) final defensive line. Supported by the outstandingly responsive and accurate fire of its artillery battalion, this widely dispersed force stopped every attack for six days until its surrounded infantry were ordered to fight their way back to them. This staunch defense disrupted the precise German attack schedule and thus gave time for the United States III and XII Corps to assemble unhindered and then launch the coordinated attack which raised the siege of Bastogne and contributed to saving much of Luxembourg and its capital from another German invasion. They were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their heroism.

The division was activated on 15 July 1942 at Fort Riley, Kansas, under the command of Major General Geoffrey Keyes, seven months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, which was followed just four days later by the German declaration of war on the United States, thus bringing the United States into World War II. After over two years of training throughout the country the 9th Armored Division, now commanded by Major General John W. Leonard, reached the United Kingdom in September 1944.