About this Unit
The 26th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Yankee Division," was formed primarily from National Guard units in the New England states in 1917. It served with distinction during World War I, participating in major campaigns such as the Aisne-Marne, Saint-Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne offensives. Reactivated for World War II, the division landed in France in 1944, fighting through the Lorraine Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, the 26th Infantry Division continued to serve as part of the Army National Guard until its inactivation in 1993.
Historical Facts
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Nickname – "Yankee Division":
The 26th Infantry Division is famously known as the "Yankee Division" because its original members were drawn from New England states, symbolizing its regional heritage.
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World War I Service:
The division was activated in 1917 and was one of the first U.S. divisions to arrive in France, participating in major battles such as Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne.
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First Complete National Guard Division in France:
The 26th was the first full National Guard division to reach the Western Front in World War I, reflecting the importance of the National Guard in U.S. military mobilization.
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Distinguished Unit Insignia:
The division’s shoulder sleeve insignia features a blue "YD" monogram on a field of khaki, with "Y" representing "Yankee" and "D" for "Division."
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World War II Campaigns:
In World War II, the 26th Infantry Division landed in France in September 1944 and fought in campaigns including Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace (Battle of the Bulge), and Central Europe.
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Liberation of Gusen Concentration Camp:
Elements of the division helped liberate the Gusen concentration camp, a subcamp of Mauthausen in Austria, in May 1945.
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Postwar Service:
After World War II, the division was reorganized as part of the Massachusetts National Guard and has participated in various domestic missions and overseas deployments.
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Famous Members:
Notable soldiers who served in the 26th include future U.S. Army Chief of Staff General Maxwell D. Taylor and Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant John F. Shea.
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Cold War Role:
During the Cold War, the 26th Infantry Division was designated as part of the Strategic Reserve, ready to be deployed in the event of a Soviet invasion of Western Europe.
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Inactivation and Legacy:
The division was inactivated in 1993, but its lineage and honors are carried on by the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
