5TH ARMY

• The 5th Army was activated on January 5, 1943, and played a crucial role in the Italian Campaign during World War II. • Under the command of General Mark Clark, the 5th Army fought in major battles including the Battle of Salerno and the Battle of Monte Cassino. • The 5th Army was made up of troops from several different countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Canada. • One of the most famous units within the 5th Army was the 442nd Infantry Regiment, a predominantly Japanese-American unit that became one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history. • During the Battle of Anzio, the 5th Army successfully executed a daring amphibious landing behind enemy lines, catching the German forces by surprise. • General Clark famously declared Rome an open city to prevent its destruction during the Allied advance in Italy. • After the capture of Rome, the 5th Army continued to push northward, eventually reaching the Gothic Line in northern Italy. • Several famous personalities served in the 5th Army during World War II, including author J.D. Salinger and former U.S. President Richard Nixon. • The 5th Army played a key role in the liberation of Italy and the defeat of Axis forces in the Mediterranean theater of operations. • Following the end of World War II, the 5th Army was deactivated in 1946, but its legacy lives on in the annals of military history.