95th Infantry Division Training Monroe LA

• Formation and Nickname: The 95th Infantry Division, known as the "Iron Men of Metz," was activated for World War II on July 15, 1942, at Camp Swift, Texas, and later trained extensively at Camp (later Fort) Polk and Camp Claiborne, but also utilized Camp (later Fort) Monroe in Louisiana for various training activities. • Camp Monroe Training: While Camp Monroe (now Fort Johnson) in Louisiana was not the division’s primary base, elements of the division rotated through for field maneuvers, jungle training, and river crossing exercises in the challenging Louisiana terrain. • Louisiana Maneuvers: The division participated in the famous "Louisiana Maneuvers," massive war games conducted before WWII, which honed the unit's tactical skills in realistic combat conditions. • Diverse Composition: The 95th Infantry Division included soldiers from across the United States, with many men hailing from Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, reflecting the division’s regional roots. • Iron Men of Metz: The division earned its famous nickname during the Siege of Metz in France, where its relentless assault and defense against fierce German resistance became legendary. • First Combat in France: After training in the U.S., the division landed at Utah Beach, Normandy, in September 1944 and saw its first combat action in the Lorraine region of France. • Decorations and Honors: The 95th Infantry Division received multiple unit citations, including the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions at Metz, and individual soldiers earned numerous Silver Stars and Bronze Stars. • Liberation of Civilians: The division played a key role in liberating French and German towns, freeing many civilians from Nazi occupation as it advanced across Europe. • Postwar Role: After WWII, the division was inactivated but later reactivated as a training division, continuing its legacy by training new generations of soldiers, including at Fort Monroe and other Louisiana sites. • Veterans’ Legacy: The 95th Infantry Division Association remains active today, preserving the stories, artifacts, and legacy of the "Iron Men of Metz," with many veterans tracing their roots to their training days in Louisiana.