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79th Infantry Division
"Cross of Lorraine Division"
The insignia of the 79th Division is a gray Lorraine cross on a blue shield
with a gray border; it was adopted during World War I. Having distinguished
itself at Montfaucon, in Lorraine, the division selected the Cross of Lorraine,
a symbol of triumph since the 15th Century, as its insignia.
[page 257]
COMMAND AND STAFF
Commanding General
| 17 Apr 44 |
Maj. Gen. I. T. Wyche |
Assistant Division Commander
| 17 Apr 44 |
Brig. Gen. Frank U. Greer |
| 9 Jan 45 |
Brig. Gen. John S. Winn, Jr. |
| 27 Jan 45 |
Brig. Gen. George D. Wahl |
Artillery Commander
| 17 Apr 44 |
Brig. Gen. George D. Wahl |
| 17 Jan 45 |
Brig. Gen. John S. Winn, Jr. |
Chief of Staff
| 17 Apr 44 |
Col. Kramer Thomas |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-1
| 17 Apr 44 |
Lt. Col. Harry L. Sievers |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-2
| 17 Apr 44 |
Lt. Col. A. C. Dohrmann |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-3
| 17 Apr 44 |
Lt. Col. John A. Gloriod |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-4
| 17 Apr 44 |
Lt. Col. Charles F. O'Riordan |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-5
| 14 May 44 |
Maj. Herbert Sponholz |
| 16 Feb 45 |
Lt. Col. Herbert Sponholz |
Adjutant General
| 17 Apr 44 |
Lt. Col. John H. Hansen |
Commanding Officer, 313th Infantry
| 17 Apr 44 |
Col. Sterling A. Wood |
| 4 Nov 44 |
Lt. Col. Clarence M. Sagmden (Acting) |
| 12 Nov 44 |
Lt. Col. Edwin M. Van Bibber (Acting) |
| 20 Nov 44 |
Col. Sterling A. Wood |
| 11 Dec 44 |
Lt. Col. Edwin M. Van Bibber (Acting) |
| 14 Dec 44 |
Col. Sterling A. Wood |
| 15 Dec 44 |
Lt. Col. Edwin M. Van Bibber |
| 21 Feb 45 |
Col. Edwin M. Van Bibber |
| 20 Apr 45 |
Lt. Col. Clarence M. Sagmden (Acting) |
| 8 May 45 |
Col. Edwin M. Van Bibber |
Commanding Officer, 314th Infantry
| 17 Apr 44 |
Col. Warren A. Robinson |
| 6 Apr 45 |
Lt. Col. Ernest R. Purvis (Acting) |
| 14 Apr 45 |
Lt. Col. James P. Davis |
| 16 Apr 45 |
Col. Warren A. Robinson |
Commanding Officer, 315th Infantry
| 17 Apr 44 |
Col. Porter B. Wiggins |
| 23 Jun 44 |
Col. Bernard B. McMahon |
| 29 Jul 44 |
Lt. Col. John A. McAleer |
| 26 Oct 44 |
Col. Andrew J. Schriner |
[page 258]
STATISTICS
Chronology
| Activated |
15 June 1942 |
| Arrived ETO |
17 April 1944 |
| Arrived Continent (D+8) |
14 June 1944 |
| Entered Combat |
19 June 1944 |
| Days in Combat |
248 |
Casualties (Tentative)
| Killed |
2,475 |
| Wounded |
10.701 |
| Missing |
1,699 |
| Captured |
|
| Battle Casualties |
14,875 |
| Non-Battle Casualties |
8,582 |
| Total Casualties |
23,457 |
| Percent of T/O Strength |
166.5 |
Campaigns
- Normandy
- Northern France
- Rhineland
- Central Europe
Individual Awards
| Distinguished Service Cross |
13 |
| Legion of Merit |
1 |
| Silver Star |
904 |
| Soldiers Medal |
19 |
| Bronze Star |
4,012 |
| Air Medal |
68 |
Prisoners of War Taken 35,466
COMPOSITION
- 313th Infantry
- 314th Infantry
- 315th Infantry
- 79th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
- 304th Engineer Combat Battalion
- 304th Medical Battalion
- 79th Division Artillery
- 310th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
- 311th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
- 904th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
- 312th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
- Special Troops
- 779th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
- 79th Quartermaster Company
- 79th Signal Company
- Military Police Platoon
- Headquarters Company
- Band
[page 259]
ATTACHMENTS
Antiaircraft Artillery
| 463d AAA AW Bn (Mbl) |
1 Jul 44-9 Jul 45 |
| 18th AAA Gp |
16 Apr 45-5 Jun 45 |
Armored
| 749th Tk Bn |
1 Jul 44-24 Jul 44 |
| Co B, 749th Tk Bn |
31 Jul 44-1 Aug 44 |
| 191st Tk Bn |
1 Dec 44-22 Dec 44 |
| 2d Plat, Co B, 25th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
6 Dec 44-8 Dec 44 |
| 781st Tk Bn |
22 Dec 44-3 Jan 45 |
| Co B, 47th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
5 Jan 45-14 Jan 45 |
| CC A (14th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| 48th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| 68th Armd Inf Bn (14th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| 500th Armd FA Bn (14th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| Tr C, 94th Cav Rcn Sq (14th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| Co C, 125th Armd Engr Bn (14th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-12 Jan 45 |
| CC B (12th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-15 Jan 45 |
| CC A (14th Armd Div) |
20 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| 48th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
20 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| 68th Armd Inf Bn (14th Armd Div) |
20 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| 500th Armd FA Bn (14th Armd Div) |
20 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| Tr C, 94th Cav Rcn Sq (14th Armd Div) |
20 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| Co C, 125th Armd Engr Bn (14th Armd Div) |
20 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| Co C, 25th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
22 Jan 45-27 Jan 45 |
| CC B (14th Armd Div) |
25 Jan 45-26 Jan 45 |
| 25th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
25 Jan 45-26 Jan 45 |
| 68th Armd Inf Bn (14th Armd Div) |
25 Jan 45-26 Jan 45 |
| Tr B, 94th Cav Rcn Sq (14th Armd Div) |
25 Jan 45-26 Jan 45 |
| Co B, 125th Armd Engr Bn (14th Armd Div) |
25 Jan 45-26 Jan 45 |
| Co A, 47th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
27 Jan 45-6 Feb 45 |
| 1st Plat, Co D, 47th Tk Bn (14th Armd Div) |
27 Jan 45-6 Feb 45 |
| 761st Tk Bn |
20 Feb 45-1 Mar 45 |
| 717th Tk Bn |
8 Mar 45-17 Apr 45 |
| 744th Tk Bn |
17 Apr 45-18 Apr 45 |
| 717th Tk Bn |
18 Apr 45-20 May 45 |
Cavalry
| 94th Cav Rcn Sq (14th Armd Div) |
1 Dec 44-11 Dec 44 |
| Co D, 88th Cav Rcn Sq (8th Armd Div) |
17 Mar 45-26 Mar 45 |
Chemical
| 74th Cml Co (SG) |
20 Mar 45-26 Mar 45 |
| 89th Cml Mort Bn |
20 Mar 45-13 Apr 45 |
Engineer
| 60th Engr C Bn (35th Div) |
25 Mar 45-26 Mar 45 |
Field Artillery
| 44th Div Arty |
17 Oct 44-24 Oct 44 |
| Btry C, 500th Armd FA Bn (14th Armd Div) |
6 Dec 44-8 Dec 44 |
| 493d Armd FA Bn (12th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-14 Jan 45 |
| 495th Armd FA Bn (12th Armd Div) |
7 Jan 45-14 Jan 45 |
| 8th Armd Div Arty |
20 Mar 45-26 Mar 45 |
| 127th FA Bn (35th Div) (155mm How) |
25 Mar 45-26 Mar 45 |
| 161st FA Bn (35th Div) (105mm How) |
25 Mar 45-26 Mar 45 |
| 29th Div Arty |
31 Mar 45-5 Apr 45 |
Infantry
| 114th Inf (44th Div) |
17 Oct 44-24 Oct 44 |
| 71st Inf (44th Div) |
18 Oct 44-24 Oct 44 |
| 324th Inf (44th Div) |
19 Oct 44-24 Oct 44 |
| 19th Armd Inf Bn (14th Armd Div) |
6 Dec 44-8 Dec 44 |
| 274th Inf (70th Div) |
1 Jan 45-13 Jan 45 |
| 2d Bn, 276th Inf (70th Div) |
1 Jan 45-3 Jan 45 |
| Fr Algerienne 3d Inf Div |
5 Jan 45-6 Jan 45 |
| 2d Bn, 276th Inf (70th Div) |
5 Jan 45-9 Jan 45 |
| 1st Bn, 410th Inf (103d Div) |
18 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| 411th Inf (- 2d Bn) (103d Div) |
19 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| 134th CT (35th Div) |
13 Mar 45-14 Mar 45 |
| 134th Inf (35th Div) |
26 Mar 45 |
| 134th Inf (35th Div) |
13-14 Apr 45 |
Tank Destroyer
| 813th TD Bn (SP) |
1 Jul 44-9 Sep 44 |
| 773d TD Bn (SP) |
9 Sep 44-12 Oct 44 |
| 813th TD Bn (SP) |
12 Oct 44-21 Apr 45 |
| 809th TD Bn (SP) |
20 Mar 45-26 Mar 45 |
| 605th TD Bn (T) |
22 Apr 45-30 Apr 45 |
[pages 260-261]
DETACHMENTS
(Attached to)
Field Artillery
| 79th Div Arty |
44th Div |
23 Oct 44-25 Oct 44 |
| 79th Div Arty |
XVI Corps |
22 Feb 45-1 Mar 45 |
Infantry
| 1st Bn, 313th Inf |
Fr 2d Armd Div |
21 Nov 44-29 Nov 44 |
| 3d Bn, 313th Inf |
Fr 2d Armd Div |
23 Nov 44 |
| 313th Inf (1 3d Bn) |
45th Div |
1 Jan 45-14 Jan 45 |
| 314th Inf |
45th Div |
1 Jan 45-14 Jan 45 |
| 1st Bn, 315th Inf |
45th Div |
4 Jan 45-16 Jan 45 |
| 315th Inf (- 1st Bn) |
14th Armd Div |
13 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| 1st Bn, 315th Inf |
14th Armd Div |
17 Jan 45-21 Jan 45 |
| 314th Inf |
XVI Corps |
23 Feb 45-1 Mar 45 |
[pages 261-262]
ASSIGNMENT AND ATTACHMENT TO HIGHER UNITS
| DATE |
CORPS |
ARMY |
ARMY GROUP |
| Assigned |
Attached |
Assigned |
Attached |
| 5 Apr 44 |
|
|
|
ETOUSA |
|
| 18 Apr 44 |
VIII |
Third |
|
|
|
| 29 May 44 |
VII |
Third |
First |
|
|
| 30 Jun 44 |
(-) |
Third |
First |
|
|
| 1 Jul 44 |
VIII |
Third |
First |
|
|
| 1 Aug 44 |
VIII |
Third |
(-) |
12th |
|
| 3 Aug 44 |
XV |
Third |
|
12th |
|
| 24 Aug 44 |
XV |
Third |
First |
12th |
|
| 26 Aug 44 |
XV |
First |
(-) |
12th |
|
| 29 Aug 44 |
XIX |
First |
|
12th |
|
| 7 Sep 44 |
XV |
Third |
|
12th |
|
| 29 Sep 44 |
XV |
Third |
Seventh |
12th |
6th (Sup & Opn) |
| 1 Nov 44 |
XV |
|
Seventh |
12th |
6th (Sup & Opn) |
| 25 Nov 44 |
XV |
Seventh |
(-) |
6th |
(-) |
| 5 Dec 44 |
VI |
Seventh |
|
6th |
|
| 6 Feb 45 |
(-) |
Seventh |
|
6th |
|
| 17 Feb 45 |
XVI |
Seventh |
Ninth |
6th |
12th |
| 1 Mar 45 |
XIII |
Seventh |
Ninth |
6th |
12th |
| 7 Mar 45 |
XVI |
Seventh |
Ninth |
6th |
12th |
| 7 Apr 45 |
XVI |
Ninth |
(-) |
12th |
(-) |
(-) Indicates relieved from assignment
[page 263]
COMMAND POSTS
| DATE |
TOWN |
REGION |
COUNTRY |
| 18 Apr 44 |
Pettypool Hall |
Cheshire |
England |
| 1 Jun 44 |
Tiverton |
Devon |
England |
| 12 Jun 44 |
Audonville-St-Hubert (Adv) |
Manche |
France |
| 14 Jun 44 |
Fauville (1 km S of Ste-Mere-L'Eglise) |
Manche |
France |
| 18 Jun 44 |
Orglandes (1 km E) |
Manche |
France |
| 20 Jun 44 |
Colomby (1 km NW) |
Manche |
France |
| 20 Jun 44 |
Les Magens (vic; 11
km SW of St-Joseph) |
Manche |
France |
| 21 Jun 44 |
Hameau de Haut (vic; 1 km NW of Delasse) |
Manche |
France |
| 28 Jun 44 |
Petite Motte (11
km NE of Fierville) |
Manche |
France |
| 2 Jul 44 |
Le Haut de Gris (vic; 2 km E of Le Mesnil-St-Martin) |
Manche |
France |
| 4 Jul 44 |
Les Fosses (vic; 1 km NE of Denneville) |
Manche |
France |
| 12 Jul 44 |
Bolleville (1
km W) |
Manche |
France |
| 25 Jul 44 |
La Vieville (vic; 21
km S of La-Haye-du-Puits) |
Manche |
France |
| 28 Jul 44 |
Geffosses (3 km E) |
Manche |
France |
| 31 Jul 44 |
La Danerie (vic; 3 km S of Brehal) |
Manche |
France |
| 1 Aug 44 |
St-Leger (1
km E) |
Manche |
France |
| 3 Aug 44 |
Le Chatellier (vic) |
Ille-et-Vilaine |
France |
| 5 Aug 44 |
Le Bourgneuf (2 km SE) |
Mayenne |
France |
| 7 Aug 44 |
Brulon (11
km S) |
Sarthe |
France |
| 8 Aug 44 |
St-George-du-Bois (1 km NE) |
Sarthe |
France |
| 10 Aug 44 |
Chanteloup (vic; 1 km W of Sille-le-Philippe) |
Sarthe |
France |
| 11 Aug 44 |
Marolles-les-Braults (11
km N) |
Sarthe |
France |
| 12 Aug 44 |
St-Julien-sur-Sarthe (1 km E) |
Orne |
France |
| 15 Aug 44 |
Ormoy (vic) |
Eure-et-Loire |
France |
| 18 Aug 44 |
La Tertre-St.Denis (1
km SW) |
Seine-et-Oise |
France |
| 19 Aug 44 |
La Tertre-St.Denis (1
km NE) |
Seine-et-Oise |
France |
| 21 Aug 44 |
Dennemont (11
km NW) |
Seine-et-Oise |
France |
| 28 Aug 44 |
Fontenay-St-Pere (1
km NW) |
Seine-et-Oise |
France |
| 30 Aug 44 |
Le Ruel (vic; 5 km NE of Marinos) |
Seine-et-Oise |
France |
| 31 Aug 44 |
|
Oise |
France |
| 1 Sep 44 |
Fontaine-le-Cappy (1
km S) |
Somme |
France |
| 2 Sep 44 |
Sameon |
Nord |
France |
| 7 Sep 44 |
Reims (11 km E) |
Marne |
France |
| 8 Sep 44 |
Joinville (5 km SW) |
Haute-Marne |
France |
| 9 Sep 44 |
Joinville |
Haute-Marne |
France |
| 11 Sep 44 |
Diarville (2 km S) |
Vosges |
France |
| 16 Sep 44 |
Xaronval (1
km E) |
Vosges |
France |
| 19 Sep 44 |
Landecourt (11
km E) |
Meurthe-et-Moselle |
France |
| 27 Sep 44 |
Luneville |
Meurthe-et-Moselle |
France |
| 14-24 Oct 44 |
Croismare (Adv) |
Meurthe-et-Moselle |
France |
| 12 Nov 44 |
Mesnil-Flin |
Meurthe-et-Moselle |
France |
| 15 Nov 44 |
Wigneville |
Meurthe-et-Moselle |
France |
| 20 Nov 44 |
Barbas |
Meurthe-et-Moselle |
France |
| 20 Nov 44 |
Fraquelfing |
Moselle |
France |
| 21 Nov 44 |
Hesse |
Moselle |
France |
| 23 Nov 44 |
Phalsbourg |
Moselle |
France |
| 24 Nov 44 |
Brumath |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 26 Nov 44 |
Mittelschaeffolsheim |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 8 Dec 44 |
Gaudertheim |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 11 Dec 44 |
Bischwiller |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 13 Dec 44 |
Soufflentheim |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 14 Dec 44 |
Niederroedern |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 24 Dec 44 |
Niederbetschdorf |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 4 Jan 45 |
Hagenau |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 20 Jan 45 |
Schwindratheim |
Bas-Rhin |
France |
| 6 Feb 45 |
Pont-a-Mousson |
Meurthe-et-Moselle |
France |
| 17 Feb 45 |
Heeren-Elderen |
Limbourg |
Belgium |
| 21 Feb 45 |
Simpelveld |
Limburg |
Netherlands |
| 2 Mar 45 |
Orath |
Rhineland |
Germany |
| 8 Mar 45 |
Hoensbroek |
Limburg |
Netherlands |
| 22 Mar 45 |
Rheim (3 km E of Lintfort) |
Rhineland |
Germany |
| 26 Mar 45 |
Dinslaken |
Rhineland |
Germany |
| 31 Mar 45 |
Marxloh (2 km N of Hamborn) |
Rhineland |
Germany |
| 6 Apr 45 |
Butendorf (2 km S of Gladbeck) |
Westphalia |
Germany |
| 10 Apr 45 |
Katenberg |
Westphalia |
Germany |
| 13 Apr 45 |
Gerthe (6 km NE of Bochum) |
Westphalia |
Germany |
| 29 Apr 45 |
Recklinghausen |
Westphalia |
Germany |
[pages 264-267]
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