Insignia

[Excerpt from Wyllie, Col. Robert E. "The Romance of Military Insignia."
 The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 6. December, 1919. ]

This division was the first in France, its headquarters arriving there June 27, 1917, and it was the last complete division to return, in September, 1919. It was the first at the front, the first to fire at the enemy, the first to attack, the first to make a raid, the first to suffer casualties and the first to inflict casualties, and, finally, the first to be cited in general orders.

[Excerpt from division history]

It was a fitting coincidence that at this time [mid-November] the Division insignia was adopted and first worn, as though these veterans had qualified for this token of honor. The red one was the natural designation of the Division, significant of its blood and its prestige, and the khaki shield was symbolic of the part that had been cast for it in the American Expeditionary Forces. The laurel wreath about the shield was the emblem of its triumphs.

Nickname

None.  The Division was referred to as the First Division (Regular), and was not known as the "Big Red One" until World War Two.

Background

Organized 24 May 1917 out of already existing Regular Army units.  Assembled in France from 5 July 1917 to 17 February 1918.

Primary Units

1st Infantry Brigade:
16th Infantry Regiment
18th Infantry Regiment
2d Machine Gun Battalion

2d Infantry Brigade:
26th Infantry Regiment
28th Infantry Regiment
3d Machine Gun Battalion

1st Field Artillery Brigade:
5th Field Artillery Regiment (155mm)
6th Field Artillery Regiment (75mm)
7th Field Artillery Regiment (75mm)
1st Trench Mortar Battery

Divisional Troops:
1st Machine Gun Battalion
1st Engineer Regiment
2d Field Signal Battalion
1st Train Headquarters and MP
1st Ammunition Train
1st Supply Train
1st Engineer Train
1st Sanitary Train (Ambulance Companies & Field Hospitals 2, 3, 12, 13)

Product Flyers

Copyright © 2001-2007
The Digital Bookshelf