One of a series of nearly 800 negatives from the 222nd that i acquired last year. As allied troops moved across europe in a series of offensives against nazi germany, they found tens of thousands of concentration. In 1917 men were selected from various units of the national guard of 26 states and the district of columbia to form a truly representative division with a view towards bringing the war home to the people. It is the story of his contribution to the safety and security of the people of his country and of the world. It is a history made possible not by individual achievement, but by the combined effort of all. Character sketches and history of the first battalion 166th infantry, 42nd division, american expeditionary force classic reprint by alison reppy feb 10, 2017 3. The regiment distinguished itself in battle against the wehrmacht and earned the presidential unit citation for courageous action.
In 1944, theres a rainbow in the army was published, and remains the 42nd infantry division s official song to this day. The shell is maker marked with a stamping on the underside of the rim that reads zd. In an article published in the tulsa world on november 11, 2008, segrave told manny gamallo about what he witnessed on april 29, 1945 when he took part in the liberation of dachau. First 19 pages cover the combat history of the unit. These words brotherhood, comradeship, dedication, duty, honor, countryhave. As a result of this unified effort, the 42nd infantry division was born in august and. Armys 42nd infantry division stood its ground during world war ii allyn vannoy it was bitter cold with a foot of snow on the ground and no moonlight the night of january 24, 1945, as the green gis of the 42nd rainbow divisions 222nd infantry regiment strained to. The 42nd infantry division the holocaust encyclopedia. This vintage map chart the journey of the 42nd infantry division throughout europe during world war ii. The 42nd infantry rainbow division in wwii by walt cross. The rainbow division amassed one of the finest fighting records of any division regular, volunteer or national guard in the american expeditionary force.
Except for the division headquarters, none of its earlier elements had reformed in the interwar period, so the army ground forces filled its new units with personnel from every state. The 42nd rainbow division reunion and book launch ronni sanlo. We use the traditional book grading system of from best to worst. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history as a unit began with americas entry into world. From its activation in august 1917 through the armistice in november 1918 the 42nd was in combat longer than any other american division and suffered more than 50% casualties. Wwii 42nd infantry division shoulder patch rainbow. Master sergeant vito bertoldo, a company 1st battalion 222 infantry regiment 42d infantry division received the medal of honor for his action in hatten, france 910 january 1945. The first rainbow division was composed of national guard units from 27 states and it was this collection of men which inspired general douglas macarthur, its most famous member, to declare. A member of the 222nd antitank company of the 42nd division snaps a photo while a convoy of trucks rolls through a small bavarian town. A hardcover book in good condition with 543 pages, hinges are broken, some foxing and yellowing, t is a sticker on the inside front cover, see pictures. Nice unit history of the 2nd battalion, 242nd infantry regiment, 42nd rainbow division. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history began with americas entry into world war i. On august 28, 1917 its 3,677 officers and men left alabama by train for new york where they became part of the 42nd rainbow division.
The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york the division headquarters is a unit of the new york army national guard. The 42nd landed in france in december 1944 and as part of the 7th army, advanced through france and entered germany in march of 1945. The 42nd infantry division, a part of the new york national guard since 1947, was born a 100 years ago on august 5, 1917 as a way to get 27,000 troops to france quickly during. Last week kelly and i went to albany, ny, to attend the annual reunion of the 42nd rainbow division, the army unit featured in the soldier, the avatar, and the holocaust. It lays out the steps leading up to the battle of hatten to the liberation of dachau.
Rose, of toledo, ohio, was with the 42nd rainbow division during the liberation of dachau. Roster of the rainbow division fortysecond major general. Monath would go on to become a composer of popular tunes, music for motion pictures including the iconic blackboard jungle, and an author of numerous books on music and chess. Armys 42nd infantry division stood its ground during world war ii allyn vannoy it was bitter cold with a foot of snow on the ground and no moonlight the night of january 24, 1945, as the green gis of the 42nd rainbow divisions 222nd infantry regiment strained to see the enemy. The best feature of all is the original hand painted rainbow for the 42nd infantry. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore armory in troy, new york with the new york national guard.
See more ideas about world war ii, magazine street new orleans and history. The 42nd infantry division has served in world war i, world war ii and the. A book of facts concerning the army of the united states u. The map can be zoomed in and purchased at historyshots.
It was the unit in which my father served as a very young man. The 42nd infantry rainbow divisions history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. The rainbow division organized and trained on long island for little over a month. Insignia of the 42nd rainbow division, 1985, by rainbow division veterans association. Rainbow division veterans association, records unl libraries. Army 2nd bn 242nd inf 42nd division unit history book.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new. This history of the rainbow is a record of the accomplishments of every man who served in the division. In 1944, theres a rainbow in the army was published, and remains the 42nd infantry divisions official song to this day. The 42nd infantry division, a part of the new york national guard since 1947, was born a 100 years ago on august 5, 1917 as a. Rabbi bohnen joined the us army in 1943 and served as assistant chaplain with the 42nd infantry division at the rank of major. The 42nd rainbow division reunion and book launch ronni. Apr 25, 2010 vernon lawrence larry petersen was a technical sergeant in the 42nd rainbow division of the us seventh army during ww ii. The 42nd infantry division has served in world war i, world war ii and the global war on terrorism gwot. He led a passover seder in germany in march 1945 for over 1500 american soldiers of the 42nd rainbow infantry division and printed a haggadah for the seder, known as the rainbow haggadah.
Wwii rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. Stanley illsley 42nd rainbow division wwii update 62112. Vernon lawrence larry petersen was a technical sergeant in the 42nd rainbow division of the us seventh army during ww ii. Hold at all cost 42nd rainbow division prisoners of war. Marion county although mail service between american soldiers in the folks back home is being improved as rapidly as possible, it often happens that the soldiers are situated where, for a few weeks, they do not have access to post office and. Following the end of wwi, the officers of the rainbow division formed the rainbow division veterans association, which eventually. To check the negative implications of this competition and. When formed and activated for world war ii, the 42id was a unique unit, as it was a reconstitution of the rainbow division from world war i. Audiovisual boxes 89107 audio cassette materials are contained within boxes 89102. If anything, we tend to grade lower than we should. Buy the 42nd infantry rainbow division in wwii by walt cross paperback online at lulu.
Internet archive bookreader 42nd rainbow infantry division. On the next day it was announced that the command would become part of the 42nd rainbow division and on august 28, 1917 a force of 3,677 officers and men left montgomery on eight trains for camp mills on long island to join its new division. The 42nd infantry rainbow division s history as a unit began with americas entry into world war i. Amidst the rush by america to mobilize, individual states competed with each other for the honor to be the first to send their national guard units to fight in the trenches of europe. Rainbow division that represented the united states formed. It served in the 42nd infantry division for the duration of the second world war, and was then deactivated. Publications include books about the 42nd rainbow division and. To check the negative implications of this competition and to minimize the impact the mobilization could have upon any. The 222nd infantry regiment was an infantry regiment of the united states army, aus. Angered by the sight of it, we hauled down that nazi flag and burned it. American officers from the 42nd rainbow division browse.
About 25,000 strong the division was made up of national guardsmen from 26 states, said by colonel douglas macarthur to cover the united states like a rainbow. Roster rainbow division 42nd world war i wwi one book. Official story of the 166th infantry, 42nd division, in the world war raymond minshall cheseldine f. It was numerically designated the 42d division, and called the rainbow division by general douglas macarthur, then colonel and newly. The division is currently headquartered at the glenmore road armory in troy, new york. Rainbow reactivation operation nordwind liberation of dachau.
Rainbow division veterans memorial foundation, inc. His son, bruce petersen, wrote in an email to me that as was the case with many ww ii veterans, he would rarely talk about the war, and then only give us very brief glimpses. Army infantry division, 42nd, world war, 19391945, world war, 19391945 regimental histories united states, world war ii, united states. During its time in france the rainbow division participated in six major campaigns and suffered over 50% casualties. The rainbow alludes to the shoulder sleeve insignia of the division and spanning across two fleursdelis symbolize their combat service in france during both world war i and world war ii. Collins, then brigadier general, recalled the words of general macarthur on that. These items document the 42nd rainbow division and the rainbow division veterans association as they relate to individuals who were active in the organization.
This book is a wonderful companion to other books about wwii. Wwii germany, januarymay 1945 launched last week at a very special event. Honoring the heroes of wwii s 42nd infantry rainbow division. The 42nd infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard. This is an wonderful example of a genuine usgi great war helmet from an well known infantry division of the us army. The sun, adapted from the seal of the state of new york, refers to the location and home area of the 42nd infantry division. Thank you, ian martinroster of the rainbow division 42nd compiled and edited by lieut. His son, bruce petersen, wrote in an email to me that as was the case with many ww ii veterans, he would rarely talk about the. A world war ii hero of the rainbow division will be featured in a netflix series about medal of honor recipients. The 42d infantry division 42id rainbow is a division of the united states army national guard. This nice example that has original period textured paint green brown.
The 42 nd rainbow division was activated in august 1917 and arrived in france that november. Government printing office, 1950 reproduced at the united. In april 1945, carl segrave from broken arrow, ok was a 19yearold soldier in the 222nd infantry regiment of the 42nd rainbow division of the u. My book the soldier, the avatar, and the holocaust. Stanley illsley 42nd rainbow division wwii update 62112 dillsley24.