8th Infantry Division (United States) - World War II

World War II

• Activated: 1 July 1940
• Overseas: 5 December 1943
• Campaigns:
  • Normandy
  • North France
  • Rhineland
  • Central Europe
• Days of combat: 266.
• Distinguished Unit Citations: 5
• Awards: Medal of Honor-3 ; Distinguished Service Cross (United States)-33 ; Distinguished Service Medal (United States)-2 ; Silver Star-768; LM-12 ; DFC-2 ; SM24 ; BSM-2,874 ; AM-107.
• Commanders:
  • Maj. Gen. Philip B. Peyton (June 1940 – December 1940)
  • Maj. Gen. James P. Marley (December 1940 – February 1941)
  • Maj. Gen. William E. Shedd (February 1941)
  • Maj. Gen. Henry Terrell, Jr. (March 1941)
  • Maj. Gen. James P. Marley (April 1941 – July 1942)
  • Maj. Gen. Paul E. Peabody (August 1942 – January 1943)
  • Maj. Gen. William C. McMahon (February 1943 – July 1944)
  • Maj. Gen. Donald A. Stroh (July 1944 – December 1944)
  • Maj. Gen. William G. Weaver (December 1944 – February 1945)
  • Maj. Gen. Bryant E. Moore (February 1945 – November 1945)
  • Maj. Gen. William M. Miley (November 1945 to inactivation).
• Returned to U.S.: 10 July 1945.
• Inactivated: 20 November 1945.

• Subordinate Units:
  • 13th Infantry Regiment
  • 28th Infantry Regiment
  • 34th Infantry Regiment
  • 121st Infantry Regiment
  • 43rd Field Artillery Battalion
  • 45th Field Artillery Battalion
  • 56th Field Artillery Battalion
  • 28th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm)
  • 8th Signal Battalion
  • 708th Ordnance Company
  • 8th Quartermaster Company
  • 8th Reconnaissance Troop
  • 12th Engineer Battalion
  • 8th Medical Battalion
  • 8th Military Intelligence Company

Major General William C. McMahon was relieved shortly after the division arrived in Normandy. His replacement, Major General Donald A. Stroh was temporarily relieved during the Hurtgen fighting; the death of his son, a pilot in the U.S.A.A.F. who was shot down over Brittany, had made a deep psychological impact. After a rest, Stroh went on to command another overseas division.