About this Unit
The 47th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Viking Division," was a unit of the United States Army National Guard. Activated in 1946, it was originally composed mainly of soldiers from Minnesota and North Dakota. Although the division was never deployed overseas as a whole, its personnel participated in major training exercises and contributed troops to the Korean and Vietnam Wars through individual replacements. In 1991, the 47th Infantry Division was inactivated, and its lineage was carried on by the 34th Infantry Division.
Historical Facts
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World War II Activation: The 47th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Viking Division," was activated on February 10, 1941, as part of the Army National Guard, primarily including units from Minnesota and North Dakota.
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Cold War Service: After World War II, the division was not deployed overseas but became an important part of the U.S. Army’s reserve forces during the early years of the Cold War.
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Korean War Federalization: The 47th Infantry Division was federalized in 1951 during the Korean War, serving as a training and replacement unit at Camp Rucker, Alabama, rather than deploying to Korea.
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Viking Heritage: The division was given the nickname "Viking Division" due to the large Scandinavian-American population in Minnesota and North Dakota, reflected in the unit's insignia featuring a Viking ship.
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Annual Reforger Exercises: The division participated in NATO’s REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) exercises in the 1970s and 1980s, simulating rapid deployment to Europe in the event of a Soviet attack.
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Disaster Response: In addition to its military missions, the 47th Infantry Division was often called up for state emergencies, such as flood relief and riot control in Minnesota and North Dakota.
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Distinctive Insignia: The division’s shoulder sleeve insignia, a red shield with a gold Viking ship, is one of the most recognizable among U.S. Army divisions.
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Deactivation and Legacy: The division was inactivated in 1991, with its lineage carried on by the 34th Infantry Division. Many of its units were reorganized into other National Guard formations.
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Training Innovations: The 47th Infantry Division helped pioneer new training methods for National Guard units, including large-scale maneuvers and combined-arms exercises.
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Commemorative Monuments: Memorials and markers dedicated to the 47th Infantry Division can be found in Minnesota and North Dakota, honoring the service of its soldiers over five decades.
