| SECOND DIVISION. |
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| TIME AND PLACE OF ORGANIZATION: |
| Division organized at Bourmont, France, in October 1917. |
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| SUB-DIVISIONS: |
| Infantry |
3rd Infantry Brigade:
9th Infantry Regiment
23rd Infantry Regiment
5th Machine Gun Battalion |
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4th Infantry Brigade:
5th Marine Regiment
6th Marine Regiment
6th Machine Gun Battalion |
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Machine Gun Battalion (Divisional)
4th Machine Gun Battalion |
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| Artillery |
2nd Field Artillery Brigade:
12th Field Artillery
15th Field Artillery
17th Field Artillery
2nd Trench Motor Battery |
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| Engineers |
| 2nd Engineer Regiment |
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| Signal Corps |
| Field Signal Battalion |
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| Trains |
2nd Train Hqrs. and Military Police
2nd Ammunition Train
2nd Supply Train
2nd Engneer Train
2nd Sanitary Train |
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| Miscellaneous |
Headquarters. Troop
2nd Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop
Mobile Veterinary Section No. 2
Motor Transport Corps
Service Park Units 303 and 363
Salvage Squad No. 2
Sales Commissary Unit No. 1
P. E. S. det. A. P. 0. 710
Railhead Detachment
Clothing and Bath Unit No. 320*
Mobile Laundry Unit No. 326*
Bakery Unit No 319*
Delousing and Bath Unit No. 17* |
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| Commanding Generals |
| Name |
Assumed Command |
| Brig. Gen. C. A. Doyen, U. S. M. C. |
Oct. 26, 1917. |
| Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy, N. A. |
Nov. 8, 1917. |
| Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, N. A. |
July 15. 1918. |
| Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, U. S. M. C. |
July 29, 1918. |
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| Chiefs of Staff. |
| Colonel Preston Brown, G. S. April 6, 1918—Sept. 18, 1918 |
| Colonel James C. Rhea, G. S. Sept. 19, 1918 — Nov. 1, 1918 |
| Colonel Hu B. Myers, G. S. Nov. 2, 1918 to date. |
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| Dates of Arrival in France |
3rd Brigade Infantry: — Sept. — Oct. 1917
4th Brigade Marines: — June, 1917 — Jan. 1918
2nd Brigade Field Artillery: — Dec. 1917 — Jan. 1918
Trains and other troops: — Oct. 1917 to Jan. 1918.
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| *These units joined Division after its arrival in Germany. |
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| Training Periods |
| Subordinate units assembled in Bourmont area for intensive training in January, 1918, continued to March 14, 1918. Robert Espagne area May 14th to May 20th, 1918. Gisors, Chaumont-en-Vexin area May 21st to 31st, 1918. Colombey-les-Belles area August 18th to September 1st, 1918. |
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| Verdun Sector March 15th — May 13th, 1918. |
| Division occupied Toulon and Troyon Sectors in conjunction with French. A German raid in force was made against the 9th Infantry on April 13th, 1918. This was the largest demonstration made against American troops up to this time. The 9th Infantry took many prisoners and inflicted heavy casualties on the Germans. |
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| Aisne - Marne Defensive (west of Chateau-Thierry) May 31 —June 5, 1918. |
| The Division moved by camion to area northeast of Meaux and took up a position across the Paris-Metz highway west of Chateau Thierry May 31st, 1918. The German advance on Paris was stopped and the enemy thrown back during this operation, which lasted until June 6th, 1918. |
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| Chateau Thierry Sector June 6th — July 9th, 1918. |
| Almost continuous fighting marked the 2nd Division's stay in this sector. During this time the Belleau Woods, and the villages of Bouresches and Vaux were captured. Casualties were heavy, but the American Army demonstrated its ability to successfully meet in battle the best of German troops. |
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| Aisne-Marne Offensive (Soissons) July 18th — 19th, 1918. |
| Attacked as part of the 20th Army Corps (French) near Soissons on the western side of the salient the Germans had pushed down to the Marne. Captured Beaurepaire Farm, Vaucastille, Vierzy and advanced to Tigny. |
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| Marbache Sector August. 12th — 16th, 1918. |
| Quiet sector on Moselle River. No action except for numerous patrols. |
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| St. Mihiel Offensive September, 12th — 16th 1918. |
| Went into the line near Limey, night of September 9th—10th, 1918; attacked with 1st American Army September 12th, 1918, captured Thiaucourt; Xammes and Jaulny were taken, advanced to the vicinity of Rambercourt. Relieved September 16th, 1918. Took many prisoners, losses slight. Attack made in accordance with plans perfected in training area. |
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| Meuse-Argonne Offensive (Champagne) Oct. 1st — 10th, 1918. |
| Moved from Mairy-sur-Marne to Suippes Souain Area. Went into front line under 21st Corps (French) October 1st, 1918 near Somme-Py. Cleaned up Essen Trench. Jumped off October 3rd, 1918, and advanced to Medeah Fme, Blanc Mont Ridge Road. Captured the strong enemy position of Blanc Mont and town of St. Etienne. Our losses were severe. Relieved by 36th Division, U. S., October 10th, 1918, and moved to rest area near Somme Suippes. |
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| Meuse-Argonne Offensive November 1st — 11th, 1918. |
Marched to 1st American Army area October 22nd-25th, 1918. Relieved 42nd Division in line near Landres-et-St. Georges, night of October 30th-31st. Attacked November 1st, 1918, advanced to Corps Objective. Captured Landres et-St. Georges, St. George, Landreville and Bayonville; continued the advance for several days, captured Fosse, Nouart, Letanne and Beaumont. Crossed the Meuse the night of November 10th-11th, 1918, and were fighting east of river when the Armistice went into effect.
319 Officers and 9972 men, who were present with the Division on March 15th, 1918, were present for duty on this date.
Remained in the Beaumont-Pouilly Area refitting until November 17th, 1918. |
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| March to the Rhine. |
| Marched at 5.00 A. M., on November 17th, 1918; crossed the American front line, advanced through Belgium and Luxembourg and entered Germany December 1st, 1918. Reached the Rhine in the vicinity of Remagen and crossed this river December 13th, 1918. Occupied area No. 2 of the American Sector of the Coblenz Bridgehead and established Headquarters at Heddesdorf. |
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| Accomplishments in the field. |
Kilometers advanced against opposition — 62. |
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Prisoners Captured |
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| Officers |
Men |
Total |
| 288 |
11 738 |
12 026 |
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| Materiel Captured |
Heavy
Artillery |
Light
Artillery |
Trench
Mortars |
Machine
Guns1) |
Anti
Tank Guns |
Rifles2) |
| 74 |
269 |
58 |
1350 |
8 |
1000 |
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1) Many machine guns captured at St. Mihiel were not counted and are not
figured in this total.
2) Not counted except in the St. Mihiel Offensive. |
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| Decorations Awarded. |
Medal of Honor
Total . . . . . . . . . 7 |
Distinguished Service Crosses
Total . . . . . . . . . 675 |
Distinguished Service Medals
Officers . . . . . . . . . 10 |
Belgian Crosses
Officers . . . . . . . . . 6 |
Legion of Honor (French)
Officers . . . . . . . . . 17 |
Medaille Militaire (French)
Men . . . . . . . . . 42 |
Croix de Guerre (French)
Total . . . . . . . . . 2740 |
Croce di Guera (Italian)
Total . . . . . . . . . 15 |
Knight of Order of Crown of Italy
Officer . . . . . . . . . 1 |
Citations for Distinguished Gallantry
Total . . . . . . . . . 795 |
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| American Citations |
| 2nd Division — G. O. 112, G H Q., A. E. F., July 9th, 1918 |
| 2nd Division — G. O. 9, Hq 111, A. C., July 25th, 1918 |
| 2nd Division — G. O. 26, Hq. V, A. C., Nov. 20th, 1918. |
| 2nd Division — G. O. 232, G. H. Q. A. E. F., Dec. 19, 1918 |
| 2nd Division — G. O. 233, G. H. Q. A. E. F., Dec. 26, 1918. |
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| French Army Citations |
| Co. I, 9th Regiment Infantry |
April 14, 1918 |
| Co. L, 9th Regiment Infantry |
April 14, 1918 |
| 4th Platoon Co. K, 9th Regt. Inf. |
April 14, 1918 |
| 4th Baigade Mlarine) |
June 2-13, 1918 |
5th Regiment Marines
6th Regiment Marines
6th M, G. Bn. Marines
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| Co. F, 9th Regiment Infantry |
June 6 - 7, 1918 |
| Co. G, 9th Regiment Infantry |
June 6 - 7, 1918 |
| 9th Regiment Infantry |
July 18, 1918 |
| 23rd Regiment Infantry |
" 18, 1918 |
| 5th M. G. Bn. |
" 18, 1918 |
| 5th Regiment Marines |
" 18, 1918 |
| 6th Regiment Marines |
" 18, 1918 |
| 6th M. G. Bn. Marines |
" 18, 1918 |
| 12th F. A. Regiment |
" 18, 1918 |
| 15th F. A. Regiment |
" 18, 1918 |
| 17th F. A. Regiment |
" 18, 1918 |
| Battery D, 17th F. A. |
" 18, 1918 |
| 4th M. G. Bn. |
" 18, 1918 |
| 2nd Regiment Engineers |
" 18, 1918 |
| 9th Regiment Infantry |
Oct. 3, 1918 |
| 23rd Regiment Infantry |
" 3, 1918 |
| 5th Regiment Marines |
" 3, 1918 |
| 6th Regiment Marines |
" 3, 1918 |
| 2nd Regiment Engineers |
" 3, 1918 |
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| Casualties |
Killed
& Died |
Severely
Wounded |
Slightly
Wounded |
Gassed |
Missing |
Total |
| Officers |
189 |
113 |
393 |
70 |
0 |
765 |
| Men |
4888 |
3565 |
13181 |
2662 |
328 |
25224 |
| Total |
5077 |
3678 |
14174 |
2732 |
328 |
25989 |
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