I read and researched all about the AEF in World War I, one of the fun topics (for me) was the nicknames of the various divisions of the American forces. Living in Milwaukee, I've always been aware of the Red Arrow division, as we have Red Arrow Park (with skating and Starbucks) in downtown and the Red Arrow Highway that takes drivers along Lake Michigan and then to the north. However, I didn't know that the Red Arrow name came from World War I, when the 32nd division became the first to pierce through the Hindenburg Line. They have been the Red Arrow Division ever since (and how cool is this - the Red Arrow Highway is state highway 32). The nicknames of these divisions says a lot about both of the make up of the troops and their service in the war. Plus, checking out the insignias of each of the divisions is pretty cool as well. It's kind of like figuring out sports mascots, connecting a nickname to a group, location, and history. I saw the divisions represented multiple times in my travels. Here are some of the division nicknames from WWI and the meanings behind them:
The Big Red One - Named for their iconic shoulder patch, the 1st Divison was, in fact, the first divison to enter France. The 16th Infantry marched through Paris (as I attempted) on July 4, 1917, and the division served throughout the war. The Indian Head Divison - Also named for their patch, the 2nd Division served in multiple offensives in 1918, especially at Belleau Wood and Chateau Thierry. The Rock of the Marne - Due to the bravery and vigor of its members at the Aisne-Marne Offensive in 1918, the 3rd Division will always carry their sobriquet for their steadfast defense of the line to Paris. The Lafayette Divison - These National Guard members from Wisconsin and Michigan were originaly the 11th Divison and were named for the great French volunteer in the American Revolution, They later became the 32nd. The Yankee Divison - Hailing from New England (predominately Massachusetts), these doughboys in the 26th fought extensively in multiple locations in France. Their memorial chapel in Belleau Wood was one of my favorite stops on my journey. The New York Divison and the Keystone Division - Hailing from New York and Pennsylvania, the 27th and 28th Divisions were a major force in the AEF in France. Les Terribles - Not only was the 32nd Division know as the Red Arrow, but a French commander gave them the name "Les Terribles" for their ferocity in clearing out German troops on the Western Front. The Rainbow Division - The 42nd earned their name from Douglas MacArthur. Since the division drew members from states across the nation, MacArthur offered that the division would "spread over the whole country like a rainbow".
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