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History of 9th Infantry Division

The 9th Infantry Division of the United States Army was activated in 1918 during World War I but did not see combat before the war ended. Reactivated for World War II, the division participated in the North African Campaign, the invasion of Sicily, and the Normandy landings, later advancing across France and into Germany. During the Vietnam War, the 9th Infantry Division was deployed to the Mekong Delta, where it conducted riverine and counterinsurgency operations from 1967 to 1969. The division was inactivated in 1991 after serving as a testbed for new organizational concepts during the late Cold War.

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ABOUT 9th Infantry Division

  • World War II Activation: The 9th Infantry Division ("Old Reliables") was activated on August 1, 1940, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and played a pivotal role in World War II.
  • North Africa Campaign: The division first saw combat in Operation Torch (1942), landing in French North Africa and fighting in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.
  • Sicily and European Theater: The 9th Infantry Division participated in the invasion of Sicily and later landed in Normandy, fighting across France, Belgium, and Germany.
  • Crossing the Rhine: The division was among the first Allied units to cross the Rhine River at Remagen in March 1945, hastening the collapse of Nazi Germany.
  • Vietnam War Service: Reactivated for Vietnam, the division arrived in 1966 and fought in the Mekong Delta, pioneering "Mobile Riverine Force" tactics with the U.S. Navy.
  • Decorations and Honors: The 9th Infantry Division earned numerous distinctions, including 19 Medals of Honor, 16 Distinguished Service Crosses, and multiple unit citations.
  • Nickname "Old Reliables": The division's nickname reflects its consistent dependability and performance in combat throughout its history.
  • Cold War Era: During the Cold War, the division was based at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was a key component of the U.S. Army’s rapid deployment capability.
  • Deactivation: The 9th Infantry Division was inactivated in 1991 after the end of the Cold War, but its legacy is maintained through various subordinate units and veterans' associations.
  • Famous Members: The division’s ranks included future notable figures such as General Colin Powell, who served as a battalion executive officer during the Vietnam War.

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