39th Infantry Division

• Nickname: The 39th Infantry Division was known as the "Delta Division," reflecting its roots in the Mississippi Delta region. • World War I Service: Organized in August 1917, the division shipped to France in 1918 but was used primarily as a replacement division, supplying soldiers to other American Expeditionary Forces units. • World War II Reactivation: The division was reactivated for service during World War II but was redesignated as the 39th Infantry Regiment, becoming part of the 9th Infantry Division and serving in North Africa, Sicily, and Europe. • Postwar National Guard: After World War II, the division was reorganized as a National Guard unit, drawing soldiers from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. • Cold War Era: The 39th Infantry Division was part of the National Guard’s strategic reserve during the Cold War, prepared for rapid mobilization in the event of conflict. • Hurricane Katrina Response: Descendant units, notably the 39th Infantry Brigade, played a significant role in disaster relief operations following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. • Vietnam War Service: While the division itself was not mobilized for Vietnam, many of its soldiers served as replacements or volunteers in Southeast Asia. • Reorganization: In 1967, the 39th Infantry Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), which continues as part of the Arkansas Army National Guard. • Delta Division Patch: The division’s shoulder patch featured a blue and white delta symbol, reflecting the region it represented and symbolizing change and adaptability. • Legacy: The 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the division’s modern descendant, has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, upholding the legacy of service started by the original 39th Infantry Division.