The 25th Infantry Division of the United States was established on October 1, 1941 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Territory, the same date as the 24th Infantry Division.
Constitution
These two divisions were formed from elements of the famous and former "Hawaiian Division" and two regiments of the National Guard of Hawaii. The 24th Infantry Division incorporated the 19th and 21st Infantry Regiments, and the 299th Infantry Regiment of the Hawaii National Guard. The 25th Infantry Division incorporated the 27th and 35th Infantry Regiments, and the 298th Infantry Regiment of the Hawaii National Guard. Other combat or support elements joined the 24th Infantry Division and 25th Infantry Division. They were taken from the Hawaiian Division or from other units, sometimes newly created.
The Second World War
The 24th and 25th Infantry Divisions only served ten weeks in peacetime, because on December 7, 1941 came the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.
From there, and for a year, these two units took up their defensive position on the Hawaiian coast. They took the opportunity to train intensely in jungle combat.
On November 25, 1942, the 25th Division began its departure from Hawaii to deploy in the South Pacific. It landed in Guadalcanal between December 17, 1942 and April 1, 1943. The division, barely ashore, received the order to embark on the "Grand Mêlée". It attacked the strong Japanese forces entrenched there for five months already, which the other units of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps had fought fiercely.
From January 10, 1943, and for 1 month, the battle raged. It leads to the capitulation of the Japanese garrison. The 25th Infantry Division, with its aggressiveness and speed, successfully completed its first war mission.
It was quickly directed to the Solomon Islands, held by the Japanese. She cleared the Arundel and Kolombangera Islands, and took part in the capture of Vella-Lavella. After the Solomons campaign, the division continued on to New Zealand. Finally, she reached New Caledonia to enjoy a refreshing rest and continue her training.
On January 11, 1945, the division landed in Luzon on the territory of the Philippines. There, they join forces with the 32nd Infantry Division. She fought intense battles in the mountains of Caraballo, and set an eloquent record with 165 days chained on the front line.
Upon the liberation of the country, and for its services rendered to Luzon, the 25th received the “Philippine Presidential Unit Citation” as well as six other citations. With the Philippines campaign completed, the division begins to actively prepare for the invasion of Japan.
On August 15, 1945, Japan capitulated, and it was as an occupying force that the 25th Infantry Division landed in Osaka.
During World War II, six Medals of Honor were awarded to soldiers of the now "Tropic Lightning".
The Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
Five years of presence in Japan were about to pass when on June 25, 1950, the North Korean People's Army attacked South Korea by surprise, crossing the 38th parallel. Acting under the mandate of the United Nations, the 25th Infantry Division was dispatched to Korea between July 5 and 18, 1950.
The division must block the accesses which lead to the port of the city of Pusan. The mission is successfully completed. For this action, the Division receives its first "Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation". After clearing the Pusan perimeter, U.N. launched in October 1950 a victorious breakthrough to North Korea.
Attached to Task Force Cattle, the division pushes the enemy back behind the Yalu River. But in a sudden reversal, overwhelming numbers of Chinese troops cross the Yalu and push the U.N. forces back across the front.
The 25th withdrew in good order. It took up a defensive position on the south bank of the Chongchon River on November 30, 1950. Its defenses weakened and after a few small retreats, a front line was firmly established south of Osan.
A new offensive was launched on January 15, 1951. It was followed on February 10 by the capture of Inchon and the Kimpo air base. Then the Division participated in Operation "Ripper", resulting in the retreat of the North Koreans behind the Han River. It continued its advantageous momentum with operations "Dauntlus", "Detonate" and "Piledriver" during the spring of 1951. These offensives guaranteed the famous "Iron Triangle" of the U.N.
The North Koreans and the U.N. began negotiations during the summer of 1951. The Division then carried out patrols and defensive actions to maintain the main line of defense. She followed this type of mission until the winter of 1952.
On May 5, 1953, the Division took charge of the defense of the Seoul sector. A powerful assault was launched by the Communists from May 28 to 30, but the 25th D.I pushed them back. In June, the division was placed in reserve at Camp Casey. On July 27, 1953, an armistice was signed which froze hostilities on the Korean peninsula.
For its action in the defense of the Seoul sector between May 5 and July 9, 1953, the 25th Infantry Division received its second "Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation". Fourteen of his soldiers were decorated with the Medal of Honor.
The Division will remain in Korea until 1954. Its departure will begin in September and end in October. After 12 years of absence, the 25th Infantry Division was coming home.
Back in Hawaii, the division is not resting on its laurels. She sets up an intensive training program in jungle fighting techniques. It launches studies on the languages used in Asia. Thanks to this, it becomes the only unit of the U.S Army trained in anti-guerrilla warfare.
Vietnam War
Responding to a request from Military Assistance Command in Vietnam (MACV), the 25th Infantry Division sent in January 1963 a detachment of instructors and helicopter gunners. This mission will last until 1965. At this time, the commitment is more important. The division then landed Company C of the 65th Engineer Battalion at Cam Ray in August. It intervenes there to build a port, proportional to the ever-increasing traffic.
On December 31, the arrival of the 3rd Brigade begins. It settles in Pleiku, in the highlands, after the largest military air transport operations in American history, in a combat zone. Four thousand men are thus hard at work in the 2nd Corps Tactical Zone on January 15, 1966. The rest of the division arrives in Vietnam on March 28, 1966, settling in C? Chi in the 3rd C.T.Z. near Saigon.
The 1st and 2nd Brigades must fight the enemy action on the close Cambodian border, and guarantee the security of the capital.
In January 1967, the 25th D.I. set out to find the Viet Cong Headquarters of Military Region No. 4, located in the dreaded "Iron Triangle". This operation, dubbed "Cedar Falls", includes other large American units.
Then the "Tropic Lightning" is directed in the 4th C.T.Z., Tay Ninh province. From February 22 to May 14, 1967, she participated in the major "Junction City" engagement. The rest of the year will be used in part to clean up the province of Hau Nghia.
On December 8, the division was recalled to the 3rd C.T.Z. It continued its missions there until February 1968. It was also engaged in the southern half of the 3rd Corps west of Saigon, and in the border region of Cambodia.
During the T?t offensive of 1969, the 25th D.I. took part in the defense of Saigon. She also led search and mop-up operations during the counter-offensives.
From May 1969, the 25th D.I. is involved in the new program assigned to the military:Vietnamization. However, she does not neglect her rear, and watches over the surroundings of Cu Chi.
But in April 1970, a major offensive was directed against enemy sanctuaries stationed behind the Cambodian border. The 25th D.I. contributes to the capture of enormous quantities of weapons and supplies. In June, the operation ends, and the division returns to Cu Chi. She resumes her work of Vietnamization.
In December 1970, the unit began its repatriation to Hawaii. The 2nd Brigade was the last element of the 25th Infantry Division to leave Vietnam after 1,716 days of presence.
The "Tropic Lightning" saw 21 of its men decorated with the Medal of Honor during this conflict.
Operation Desert Storm
Few units of the division participated in Operation Desert Storm, the latter being assigned to the various contingencies that may arise in the Pacific, such as a return to hostilities in Korea.
However, during the Gulf War, one platoon each from Companies A, B and C, 4th Battalion, 27th Infantry ("Wolfhounds"), deployed to Saudi Arabia in January 1991. These soldiers were intended to be platoons of reinforcement in the land campaign; however, after observing their outstanding results in desert combat training, the US 3rd Army Auxiliary Commander requested that these platoons be assigned to the Forward Command Posts Security Force in English:Army's Forward Headquarters.
Afghanistan and Iraq
The division did not participate in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2001 to 2003. However, in early 2004, units of the division deployed to Iraq to participate in combat operations.
The 2nd Brigade deployed in February 2004 to Iraq and returned to Schofield Base a year later.
The 25th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade began deploying to Afghanistan in March 2004. The first element to deploy was the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment ("Wolfhounds"). They were accompanied by B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Artillery Regiment. The Wolfhounds maneuvered in the province of Paktika on the border with Pakistan. Elements of the 25th Infantry Division returned to Hawaii in April 2005.
In July 2005, a 4th Brigade was added to the 25th Infantry Division as an airborne brigade stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska. The latter was deployed in October 2006 in Iraq.
In March 2009, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigade were deployed to Iraq while the 4th Brigade was deployed to Afghanistan.
Origin of the badge
It was at the end of 1943 that the shoulder badge as we know it was officially adopted. It consists of a flash affixed to a taro leaf. Taro is a plant native to the Pacific Islands. It naturally suggests the region where the division settled and fought, as well as the place of reception for its creation from elements of the Hawaiian Division.
The taro plant has an arrowhead-shaped leaf, often brightly colored. The lightning symbolizes the speed of action as well as the aggressive character, although it was originally a characteristic symbol of transmissions. The red and gold colors correspond to those of the last Hawaiian monarchy.
It is said that the name "Lightning" assigned to the 25th D.I. was chosen because the Japanese mispronounce the letter L. From then on, the Marines nicknamed the unit "Lightning Division". Thereafter, the term was commonly used to lead to the now famous designation of "Tropic Lightning" since the division was established in the tropics.
However, it was not until August 3, 1953 that the "Department of Army" officially endorsed this nickname, which was a first within the U.S. Army.
The Division Motto is:READY TO STRIKE! ANYWHERE, ANYTIME! (READY TO STRIKE! ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!).
Division Commanders
MG Maxwell Murray 1941-1942
MG J. Lawton Collins 1942-1943
MG Charles L. Mullins 1943-1948
MG William B. Kean 1948-1948
MG Joseph S. Bradley 1948-1951
MG Ira P. Swift 1951-1952
MG Samuel T. Williams 1952-1953
MG Halley G. Maddox 1953-1954
MG Leslie D. Carter 1954-1954
MG Herbert B. Powell 1954-1956
MG Edwin J. Messinger 1956-1957
MG Archibald W. Stuart 1957-1958
MG John E. Theimer 1958-1960
MG J. O. Seaman 1960
MG James L. Richardson 1960-1962
MG Ernest F. Easterbrook 1962- 1963
MG Andrew J. Boyle 1963-1964
MG Frederick C. Weyand 1964-1967
MG John C.F. Tillison, III 1967
MG F.K. Mearns 1967-1968
MG Ellis W. Williamson 1968-1969
MG Harris W. Hollis 1969-1970
MG Edward Bautz , Jr. 1970-1971
MG Ben Sternberg 1971
MG Thomas W. Mellen 1971-1972
MG Robert N. Mackinnon 1972-1974
MG Harry W .Brooks, Jr. 1974-1976
MG Williard W. Scott, Jr. 1976-1978
MG Otis C. Lynn 1978-1980
MG Alexander Weyand 1980-1982
MG William H. Schneider 1982-1984
MG Claude M. Kicklighter 1984-1986
MG James W. Crysel 1986-1988
MG Charles P. Otstott 1988-1990
MG Fred. A. Gorden 1990-1992
MG Robert L. Ord, III 1992-1993
MG George A. Fisher 1993-1995
MG John J. Maher 1995-1997
MG James T. Hill 1997-1999
MG William E. Ward 1999-2000
MG James M. Dubik 2000-2002
MG Eric T. Olson 2002-2005
MG Benjamin R. Mixon 2005-2008
BG Mick Bednarek 2008 (Feb - May)
MG Robert L. Caslen Jr. 2008-2009
MG Bernard S. Champoux 2010–Present
Anecdotes
Oliver Stone served in the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War, as did the characters in his film Platoon.
The Red Line, film by Terrence Malick, second adaptation from the novel by James Jones describing the Battle of Guadalcanal experienced by soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division during World War II.
Rapper Ice-T served in the 25th Infantry Division.
Track Palin, the eldest son of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, served in Iraq for a year with the 25th Infantry Division.