25Th Division US

The 25Th Division of Infantry was setting-up on October 1, 1941 at SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, territory of Hawaii, that is to say at the same date as the 24Th Division of Infantry. These two divisions were made up starting from element of famous and old "Hawaiian Division" and of two regiments of the National Guard of Hawaii. 24Th D.I. integrated the 19èm and 21st Regiments of Infantry, and the 299ème Régiment of Infantry of the National Guard of Hawaii. 25th D.I. integrated the 27th one and 35ème Régiments of Infantry, and the 298ème Régiment of Infantry of the National Guard of Hawaii.

Other elements fights or of support joined the 24Th and 25Th D.I. They were taken on Hawaiian Division or other units, sometimes lately created.

WW2

The 24Th and 25Th D.I. were used only ten weeks in times as peace, because on December 7, 1941 occurred the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.

From there, and during one year, these two units took their defensive position on the littoral hawaiien. They benefitted from it to be involved intensely with the combat of jungle. 25 Novembre 1942, 25Th D.I. starts its departure of Hawaii to spread itself in the southern Pacific.

It unloads in Guadalcanal between December 17, 1942 and April 1, 1943.es 24^Th et 25^Th D.I.

Division, hardly with ground, receives the order to launch out in the "Great Fray". It attacked the solids Japanese forces cut off there since five months already, that the other units of the U.S. Army and of the U.S. Marine Corps had savagely fought

From January 10, and during 1 month, the battle made rage. It leads to the capitulation of the Japanese garrison. 25Th D.I., of share its aggressiveness and its speed, fulfills successfully its first mission of war.

It was quickly directed on the Solomon Islands, held by Japanese. It cleaned the islands Arundel and Kolombangera, and took part in the catch of Vella-Lavella. After the countryside of Solomon, Division carried on his road as far as New Zealand. Lastly, it gained New Caledonia to taste with a repairing rest and to continue its drive.

January 11, 1945, Division unloads in Luzon on the territory of the Philippines. There, they joint with the forces of 32Th Division of Infantry. She delivered intense combat in the mountains of Caraballo, and establishes an eloquent record with 165 days connected in first line. With the release of the country, and for its rendered services with Luzon, 25Th D.I. receives "Philippine Présidential Unit Quotation" like 6 other quotations. The countryside of the Philippines completed, Division starts to prepare actively for the invasion of Japan. August 15, 1945, Japan capitulates, and it is as a troop of occupation that 25Th D.I. unloads in Osa

During the second world war, six "Médals of Honor" were decreed with soldiers of from now on "Tropic Lightning".

KOREA

Five years of presence in Japan were going to be passed when 25 Juin 1950, the North-Korean Popular Army attacked South Korea by surprise, by crossing the parallel 38ème. Acting under the mandate of the United Nations, 25Th D.I is dispatched in Korea between July the 5, and 18 1950.

Division must block the accesses which lead to the port of the town of Pusan. The mission is fulfilled successfully. For this action, Division receives its first "Républic of Koréa Présidential Unit Quotation". After the release of the perimeter of Pusan, the forces of the O.N.U launched in October 1950 a victorious opening as far as North Korea.

Attached to the "Bovine Task force", Division pushes back the enemy behind the Yalu river. But in a sudden reversal, a crushing number of Chinese troops cross Yalu and rejects the forces of the O.N.U on the whole of the face. 25Th D.I is folded up in good order. It takes a defensive position on the southern bank of the Chongchon river on November 30, 1950. Its defenses weakened and after some small backings, a line of face is established in a stable way in the south of Osan.

A new offensive is launched on January 15, 1951. It is followed on February 10 of the catch of Inchon and the air base of Kimpo. Then Division took part in the operation "Ripper", showing the retirement of the North-Koreans behind the river Han. It continues on its advantageous impetus with the operations "Dauntlus"," Détonate "and" Piledriver "lasting spring 1951. These offensives guaranteed celebrates it "Iron Triangle" of the O.N.U.

The North-Koreans and the O.N.U start negotiations during the summer 1951.La Division ensures then of the patrols and the defensive actions to maintain the line principal of defense. It followed this type of mission until the winters 1952.

May 5, 1953, Division deals with the defense of the sector of Seoul. A powerful attack is launched by the Communists from the 28 to May 30. 25Th D.I pushes back them. In June, Division is placed in reserve with the Casey camp. 27 Juillet 1953 is signed an armistice which solidifies the hostilities in the Korean peninsula.

For its action in the defense of the sector of Seoul between May 5 and July 9, 1953, the 25Th Division of Infantry receives her second "Républic of Koréa Présidencial Unit Quotation". 14 of its soldiers were decorated with the "Médal of Honor".

Division will remain in Korea until 1954. Its departure will start in September to be completed in October. After 12 years of absence, 25Th D.I "Tropic lightning"rentrait at the house.

Of return to Hawaii, Division does not fall asleep on its bay-trees. It sets up a program of intensive drive at the techniques of combat of jungle. It launches studies on the languages employed in Asia. Thanks to that it becomes the only unit of the U.S Army formed with the counter insurgency fight.

Answering a request of Military Assistance Command in Vietnam (MACV), 25Th D.I sent in January 1963 a detachment of instructors and machine gunners of helicopters. This mission will last until 1965. At this time, engagement is done more significant. Division then unloads the Company C of the 65ème Bataillon of Genius has Cam Ray, in August. It intervenes there to always build a port, proportional to the traffic growin

31 Décembre starts the arrival of the 3rd Brigade. It is installed in Pleiku, on the high plateaus, under the terms of largest the operations of aérotransport military of the American history, in a zone of combat.

Four miles men are thus on-site in the 2nd Body Tactical Zone 15 Janvier1966. The remainder of Division is in Vietnam 28 Mars 1966, settling with Cu Chi in the 3rd C.T.Z. close to Saigon.

1st and 2nd Brigades must fight the enemy action on the close Kampuchean border, and guarantee the safety of the capital.

In January 1967, 25Th D.I launches out to the research of the Headquarters Vietnamese soldier-cong of the Military Area n°4, located in frightening "the Iron Triangle". This baptized operation "Cedar Falls" includes other great American units.

Then "Tropic Lightning" is directed in the 4th C.T.Z., province of Tay Ninh. From February 22 at May 14, 1967, it takes part in the large engagement "Junction City". The remainder of the year will be useful partly, to clean the province of Hau Ng

December 8, Division is recalled in the 3rd C.T.Z. There it continues its missions until February 1968. It was also committed in southern half of the 3rd western Body of Saigon, and in the frontier area of Kampuchea.

During the offensives of the Small fireclay cup of 1968 and 1969, 25Th D.I. took part in the defense of Saigon. It carried out also the operations of raking and cleaning during the counter-offensives.

From May 1969, 25Th D.I. is invested in the new program assigned with the soldiers: Vietnamisation. However, it does not neglect its backs, and takes care on the Cu Chi surroundings.

But in April 1970, a great offensive is directed against the enemy sanctuaries, stationed behind the Kampuchean border. 25Th D.I. contributes to the capture of enormous quantity of weapons and provisioning. In June, the operation is completed, and Division turns over to Cu Chi. It resumes its work of Vietnamisation

In December 1970, the unit starts its repatriation on Hawaii. The 2nd Brigade was the last element of 25Th D.I. to leave Vietnam after 1716 days of presence.

"Tropic Lightning" saw 21 of its men decorated with the "Médal of Honor" during this conflict.

It is at the end of the year 1943 that the badge of shoulder such as one knows it is officially adopted. It consists of a flash affixed on a sheet of taro. Taro is a plant originating in the Pacific Islands. It suggests the area naturally where Division is established and fought, as well as the place of reception for its creation starting from elements of Hawaiian Division.

The plant of taro has a sheet in the shape of arrowhead, often brillamment coloured. The flash symbolizes the speed of action as well as the aggressive character, although being at the origin initials characteristic of the transmissions. The colors red and gold correspond to those of the last monarchy hawaiienne.

It is told that name "Lightning" allotted to 25Th D.I. was selected because Japonnais pronounce the letter L badly Consequently, the Navy called the unit "Lightning Division". Thereafter, the term was usually used to lead to the famous designation from now on of "Tropic Lightning" since Division was established in the Tropics.

However, it was necessary to wait until on August 3, 1953 so that the "Department of Army" ratifies officially this nickname, which was a first within the U.S. Army

The Currency of Division is:


5 Inf Rgt	9 Inf Rgt	12 Inf Rgt	14 Inf Rgt	22 Inf Rgt	23 Inf Rgt	27 Inf Rgt	35 Inf Rgt

34 Arm Rgt	69 Arm Rgt	8 Arty Rgt	9 Arty Rgt	11 Arty Rgt	13 Arty Rgt	77 Arty Rg	4 Cav Rgt

50 Inf Rgt	75 Inf Rgt	25 Avia Bn	25 Médic Bn	25 S&T Bn	65 Eng Bn	125 Signal Bn	725 Maint Bn

25 Admi Co	25 MP Co	25 MI Co	372 SA Co	9 Chemical Det	15 Public Infor Det	20 Public Infor Det	18 Mil Hist Det

38 Scout Dog Plt	40 Scout Dog Plt	44 Scout Dog Plt	46 Scout Dog Plt	60 Scout Dog Plt	66 Combat tracker Plt

Création of Division	Units of Division

History of Division	Commanders during the war

Creation of the badge	Boys décorated with the "Médal Of Honor"

January 1966	Major Général Frédérick C.WEYAND	March 1967	Major Général John C.F. TILLSON III
August 1967	Major Général Fillmore F K. MEARNS	August 1968	Major Général Ellis W.WILLIAMSON
September 1969	Major Général Harris W. HOLLIS	April 1970	Major Général Edward BAUTZ Jr

19 Juin 1966	A CO, 2TH BN, 35TH INF RGT	First Lieutenant	Ronald E. RAY
5 Novembre 1966	A CO, 2TH BN, 27TH INF RGT	Private First Class	John F. BAKER Jr
5 Novembre 1966	A CO, 2TH BN, 27TH INF RGT	Captain	Robert F. FOLEY
25 Avril 1967	C CO, 1TH BN, 35TH INF RGT	Spécialist 4	Kenneth E. STUMPF
20 Août 1968	A CO, 2TH BN, 27TH INF RGT	Sergeant	Paul R. LAMBERS

	Création of Division

	Historiy of 25Th Infantry Division

	Creation of the badge

	Units of Division