42nd Div, 102nd Med Bn, NY National Guard

• Origins: The 102nd Medical Battalion was part of the 42nd Infantry Division ("Rainbow Division") of the New York National Guard, originally formed during World War I in 1917. • The "Rainbow" Nickname: The 42nd Division earned its nickname because it was composed of National Guard units from 26 different states and the District of Columbia, symbolizing a “rainbow” across the country. • World War I Service: The 102nd Med Bn provided vital medical support in major battles, including the Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, and Meuse-Argonne offensives. • Heroic Medics: Members of the 102nd Medical Battalion braved enemy fire to rescue and treat wounded soldiers, earning numerous commendations for valor and service. • World War II Reactivation: The 42nd Division, including the 102nd Med Bn, was reactivated in 1943 and deployed to Europe, where it participated in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. • Dachau Liberation: In April 1945, the 42nd Division, supported by the 102nd Med Bn, helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp, providing urgent medical care to survivors. • Training and Innovation: The 102nd Medical Battalion trained with new mobile medical equipment and evacuation techniques, pioneering advances still used in battlefield medicine today. • Decorations: The 42nd Division and its units, including the 102nd Med Bn, were awarded numerous honors, such as the French Croix de Guerre and U.S. Presidential Unit Citations. • Cold War and Modern Era: After WWII, the 102nd Medical Battalion continued to serve in the New York National Guard, supporting civil authorities and responding to emergencies like natural disasters. • Legacy and Commemoration: The 102nd Med Bn’s history is commemorated at the Rainbow Division Veterans Memorial in New York and through ongoing service by its successor medical units in the Army National Guard.