The Begining.
The 2nd Infantry Division was formed on 26 October 1917, at Beaumont France giving it the unique distinction of being the only U.S Military unit formed on foreign soil. It's original formation consisted of one brigade of U.S. Infantry, one brigade of U.S. Marines, an artillery brigade, and various supporting units. Yes you read correctly a brigade of U.S. Marines!
World War I. During "The Great War" the division was commanded twice by Marine Corps generals; Major General C.A. Doyen and Major General John A. Lejune. This was the only time in U.S. military history when Marine Corps officers commanded an Army Division. The 2nd Infantry Division drew its first blood during WWI in the nightmare landscape of Belleau-Wood and contributed to shattering the four-year-old stalemate on the battlefield during the Chateau-Thierry campaign that followed. The Division was also involved in the tough fighting at Soissons and Mont Blanc, for which it was awarded the French Fourragire in the colors of the Croix De Guerre (pictured left). The Indianhead's last battle of WWI was the Meuse-Argome offensive, which ended any hope for German victory. On 11 November 1918 the Armistice was declared, and the 2nd Infantry Division marched into Germany where it performed occupational duties until April of 1919.
Home Coming.
Upon returning to the United States, the Division was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. It remained there for the next 23 years, serving as an experimental unit, testing new concepts and innovations for the Amy. In 1940 the 2nd Infantry Division was the first command reorganized under the new triangular concept, which provided for three separate regiments in each Division. Indianhead soldiers pioneered concepts of air mobility and anti-tank warfare, which served the Army for the next two decades on battlefields in every corner of the globe.
During "The Great War" the division was commanded twice by Marine Corps generals; Major General C.A. Doyen and Major General John A. Lejune. This was the only time in U.S. military history when Marine Corps officers commanded an Army Division. The 2nd Infantry Division drew its first blood during WWI in the nightmare landscape of Belleau-Wood and contributed to shattering the four-year-old stalemate on the battlefield during the Chateau-Thierry campaign that followed. The Division was also involved in the tough fighting at Soissons and Mont Blanc, for which it was awarded the French Fourragire in the colors of the Croix De Guerre (pictured left). The Indianhead's last battle of WWI was the Meuse-Argome offensive, which ended any hope for German victory. On 11 November 1918 the Armistice was declared, and the 2nd Infantry Division marched into Germany where it performed occupational duties until April of 1919. 