76th Infantry

• Origins in World War I: The 76th Infantry Division was constituted in the National Army of the United States on August 5, 1917, and organized at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. • "Liberty Bell Division": The division earned the nickname "Liberty Bell Division" due to its shoulder patch, which features a representation of the Liberty Bell, symbolizing American freedom. • Limited Combat in WWI: During World War I, the 76th Division primarily served as a depot division in France, supplying replacements for other American units rather than engaging in major combat operations. • Reactivation for WWII: The division was reactivated in 1942 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and underwent extensive training before being deployed to Europe in late 1944. • Combat in the Ardennes: The 76th Infantry Division entered combat in January 1945, participating in the final stages of the Battle of the Bulge and advancing through the Siegfried Line into Germany. • Crossing the Rhine: The division was among the first to cross the Moselle River and later the Rhine River, playing a key role in the central European campaign that hastened the end of the war in Europe. • Capture of Key Cities: The 76th captured several German towns and cities, including Eisenach and Zwickau, and liberated thousands of prisoners from Nazi labor camps. • Postwar Deactivation: The division was inactivated in December 1945, following the end of World War II, but its lineage continues in modern Army Reserve units. • Notable Commanders: Major General William R. Schmidt led the division during its critical World War II operations, earning high praise for his leadership and tactics. • Memorable Motto: The division’s motto was “Onaway!”—a rallying cry derived from a Native American term meaning “Alert” or “Watch out!”