About this Unit
The 104th Infantry Division, known as the "Timberwolf Division," was activated on September 15, 1942, at Camp Adair, Oregon. During World War II, the division became renowned for its night-fighting capabilities and played a significant role in the European Theater, particularly in the campaigns across northern France, the Rhineland, and central Germany. Under the command of Major General Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr., the 104th liberated several towns and concentration camps, including Nordhausen. After World War II, the division was inactivated but later reactivated as a training division within the U.S. Army Reserve, where it continues its legacy of preparing soldiers for service.
Historical Facts
•
Nickname – "Timberwolf Division": The 104th Infantry Division is famously known as the "Timberwolf Division," inspired by the fierce and cunning predator native to the division’s home region in the Pacific Northwest.
•
World War II Activation: The division was activated on 15 September 1942 at Camp Adair, Oregon, and was originally composed mainly of draftees from the western United States.
•
Night-fighting Specialists: The 104th Division became renowned for pioneering and excelling in night combat operations during World War II, training extensively to fight under the cover of darkness.
•
First Combat in France: The 104th Division entered combat in September 1944, landing in France and quickly moving into Belgium and the Netherlands as part of the Allied advance.
•
Liberation of Concentration Camps: In April 1945, elements of the 104th Division helped liberate the Nordhausen concentration camp in Germany, freeing thousands of prisoners.
•
Rhine River Crossing: The division took part in the crossing of the Rhine River in March 1945, a pivotal moment in the push into the heart of Nazi Germany.
•
Casualties and Honors: During World War II, the 104th suffered over 4,900 casualties. The division earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and its soldiers received numerous decorations, including one Medal of Honor.
•
Postwar Service: After World War II, the 104th Division was reactivated as a training division in the U.S. Army Reserve, focusing on training new soldiers rather than combat deployments.
•
Unique Shoulder Patch: The division's distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia features a timberwolf’s head in profile, symbolizing the unit’s spirit and roots.
•
Historical Legacy: The Timberwolf Division’s World War II exploits are remembered in annual reunions, memorials, and even in European towns liberated by its soldiers, where monuments and ceremonies honor their legacy.
