80th Division Veterans Association
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History of the 80th Division
(80th Division History Synopsis)

WORLD WAR I

The 80th Division was first organized August 5, 1917 in the National Army and headquartered at Camp Lee (now known as Fort Lee), Virginia. The Division originally consisted of men mostly from Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and was nicknamed the "Blue Ridge Division." The unit's distinctive insignia was adopted in 1918 and consists of three blue mountain peaks representing the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The Division also adopted the Latin Motto, "Vis Montium" or "Strength of the Mountains."

In World War I, the 80th Division reached full strength with 23,000 soldiers and sailed to France, landing on June 8, 1918. The 80th Division trained with the British Third Army and joined forces on the front lines near the Artois sector with heavy action in the Somme Offensive of 1918 and in the Meuse-Argonne. The 80th returned to the States in May 1919 and was inactivated at Camp Lee on June 26, 1919.

The Division of Unique Distinction - never failed to gain its objective. It was the only A.E.F. Division called upon three times in the great Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The 80th was ranked first of all National Army Divisions by the War Department. It always led and captured two Huns for every man wounded. The 80th accomplished these results of vast importance to the success of the general operations with a far smaller percentage of casualties than any other division engaged.

Major General Aldebert Cronkhite

MG Cronkhite, General Order No. 19, 11 November 1918.
General Order congratulating the soldiers of the 80th Infantry Division at the end of World War I.

80th Division Marching Song (Click for MP3)
Listen to an old recording of the original "The 80th Division Marching Song":

The Blue Ridge is marching again
On the road to victory;
With the same fighting spirit that it had in '17
We're the toughest bunch of soldier men
The world has ever seen
Though the road is hard and long,
We'll always move forward and we're fifteen thousand strong.
We're the Blue Ridge 80th Division
On the roaring road to victory.

The Blue Ridge is marching again,
Shouting, "Hey, we're on our way!"
They will hear our rolling thunder
'Cross the channel to Calais;
Or they'll feel our steel in Burma,
On the road to Mandalay.
Through the foe is hard and tough,
We'll keep moving foward
Till we make him yell "Enough."
We're the Blue Ridge 80th Division,
And we're shouting, "Hey, we're on our way!"

WORLD WAR II

Twenty three years later, on July 15, 1942, the 80th Division was again ordered into active service. Major General Joseph Dorch Patch, the Division Commander, issued General Order No. 1 to reactivate the 80th Division. Initially, soldiers reported to Camp Forrest, Tennessee, named for General Nathan Bedford Forrest, a famous Confederate calvary commander in the Civil War. The Division later moved for training at Camp Phillips, near Salina, Kansas and in the California-Arizona Desert Training Center (known today as Fort Irwin).

The 80th Division set sail aboard the SS Queen Mary on July 4, 1944, landing a few days later on July 7 at Greenock, Firth of Clyde, Scotland. The arrival of the 80th Division in England brought the European Theater of Operations total of U.S. Divisions to 22: 14 infantry, 6 armored, and 2 airborne. By the end of the campaign, there would be a total of 46 Infantry Divisions and 15 Armored Divisions in Europe.

The Division proceeded south to Northwich, England via trains for additional training. Training included learning how to waterproof equipment for the upcoming channel crossing. The Division crossed the English Channel in LSTs and Liberty Ships landing in Normandy on Utah Beach shortly after noon on August 2, 1944, D-Day + 57 and assembled near St. Jores, France. A few days later on August 8, 1944, the 80th was initiated into battle when it took over the LeMans bridgehead in the XX Corps area.

By the end of the war, May 7, 1945, the 80th Division had seen 277 days of combat. It had captured 212,295 enemy soldiers. The 80th Division returned to the United States in January 1946, after spending time in Europe helping to restore and keep peace after the war. The 80th Division had been one of the stalwarts of Patton's Third Army, but it cost them dearly. During their 277 days of combat, the 80th Infantry Division had 17,087 casualties:

Killed in Action: 3,038
Wounded: 12,484
Missing: 488
Captured: 1,077
Total Casualties: 17,087

According to reports, the 80th Division's "bloodiest day" was 8 October 1944, where approximately 115 Men lost their lives. The "bloodiest month" was September, 1944.

Many officers and enlisted men of the 80th Infantry Division received battle honors, including 4 who received the Medal of Honor:

Other honors awarded offices and enlisted men of the 80th Infantry Division include:

Distinguished Unit Citations: 6
Distinguished Service Crosses: 48
Silver Stars: 671
Bronze Stars: 3,357
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION
  • 317th Infantry Regiment
  • 318th Infantry Regiment
  • 319th Infantry Regiment
  • 80th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
  • 305th Engineer Combat Battalion
  • 305th Medical Battalion

  • 80th Division Artillery
  • 313th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
  • 314th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
  • 315th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
  • 905th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)

  • Special Troops
  • 780th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
  • 80th Quartermaster Company
  • 80th Signal Company
  • Military Police Platoon
  • Headquarters Company
  • Band

COMMAND AND STAFF

Commanding General
7 Jul 44 - Maj. Gen. Horace L. McBride

Assistant Division Commander
7 Jul 44 - Brig. Gen. Owen Summers
7 Mar 45 - Col. George W. Smythe
1 May 45 - Brig. Gen. George W. Smythe

Artillery Commander
7 Jul 44 - Brig. Gen. Edmund W. Searby
19 Sep 44 - Brig. Gen. Jay W. MacKelvie

Chief of Staff
7 Jul 44 - Col. Max S. Johnson
10 Jan 45 - Col. Samuel P. Walker

Assistant Chief of Staff G-1
7 Jul 44 - Lt. Col. Leon O. Clayton

Assistant Chief of Staff G-2
7 Jul 44 - Maj. Richard R. Fleisher
15 Sep 44 - Lt. Col. Richard R. Fleisher

Assistant Chief of Staff G-3
7 Jul 44 - Lt. Col. Augustus G. Elegar

Assistant Chief of Staff G-4
7 Jul 44 - Lt. Col. Erland L. Sandberg

Assistant Chief of Staff G-5
7 Jul 44 - Maj. Edmund A. Ball
16 Nov 44 - Lt. Col. Edmund A. Ball

Adjutant General
7 Jul 44 - Lt. Col. John W. Trone

Commanding Officer, 317th Infantry
7 Jul 44 - Col. A. Donald Cameron
3 Oct 44 - Col. Warfield M. Lewis
4 Dec 44 - Lt. Col. Henry G. Fisher

Commanding Officer, 318th Infantry
7 Jul 44 - Col. Harry D. McHugh
13 Sep 44 - Col. Milton C. Shattuck
26 Sep 44 - Col. Lansing McVickar
15 Jan 45 - Col. James S. Luckett

Commanding Officer, 319th Infantry
7 Jul 44 - Col. Orion L. Davidson
22 Nov 44 - Col. William N. Taylor
13 Feb 45 - Col. Normando A. Costello

ATTACHMENTS

Attachments Dates Notes
633d AAA AW Bn (Mbl) 9 AUG 44 - 13 MAY 45 Anti-aircraft Artillery
702d Tk Bn (Co D) 8 AUG 44 - 27 FEB 45 Armored
Co D, 702d Tk Bn 8 AUG 44 - 1 MAR 45 Armored
CC B (4th Armored Div) 29 JAN 45 - 4 FEB 45 Armored
CC B (4th Armored Div) 21 FEB 45 - 24 FEB 45 Armored
702d Tk Bn 11 MAR 45 - 7 JUL 45 Armored
42nd Recon Sq (2d Cav Group) 23 NOV 44 - 6 DEC 44 Cavalry
2d Cavalry Recon Sq (2d Cav Group) 1 DEC 44 - 6 DEC 44 Cavalry
16th Cavalry Group 27 MAR 45 - 31 MAR 45 Cavalry
Co A, 91st Chemical Mort Bn 5 JAN 45 - 12 JAN 45 Chemical
Co B, 91st Chemical Mort Bn 5 JAN 45 - 28 JAN 45 Chemical
Co A, 91st Chemical Mort Bn 28 JAN 45 - 10 MAR 45 Chemical
Co A, 81st Chemical Mort Bn 11 MAR 45 - 18 APR 45 Chemical
Co B, 81st Chemical Mort Bn 27 MAR 45 - 12 APR 45 Chemical
Co A, 94th Chemical Mort Bn 29 APR 45 - 1 MAY 45 Chemical
94th Chemical Mort Bn (Co A) 29 APR 45 - 11 MAY 45 Chemical
328th Infantry (26th Division) 4 OCT 44 - 14 OCT 44 Infantry
53d Armored Infantry Bn (4th Armored Division) 4 FEB 45 - 9 FEB 45 Infantry
51st Armored Infantry Bn (4th Armored Division) 4 FEB 45 - 18 FEB 45 Infantry
53d Armored Infantry Bn (4th Armored Division) 20 FEB 45 - 21 FEB 45 Infantry
610th TD Bn (SP) 9 AUG 44 - 25 SEP 44 Tank Destroyer
691st TD Bn (T) 16 SEP 44 - 18 SEP 44 Tank Destroyer
808th TD Bn (SP) 25 SEP 44 - 21 DEC 44 Tank Destroyer
Co C, 602d TD Bn (SP) 4 OCT 44 - 14 OCT 44 Tank Destroyer
610th TD Bn (SP) 23 NOV 44 - 6 DEC 44 Tank Destroyer
610th TD Bn (SP) 21 DEC 44 - 28 JAN 45 Tank Destroyer
Co A, 631st TD Bn (T) 7 JAN 45 - 20 JAN 45 Tank Destroyer
802d TD Bn (T) 28 JAN 45 - 4 FEB 45 Tank Destroyer
811th TD Bn (SP) 3 FEB 45 - 4 JUL 45 Tank Destroyer
Co B, 603d TD Bn (SP) 4 APR 45 - 9 APR 45 Tank Destroyer

DETACHMENTS

Detachments Dates Notes
319th Infantry 10 AUG 44 - 15 AUG 44 XX Corps
319th Infantry 16 AUG 44 - 21 AUG 44 VIII Corps
319th Infantry 22 AUG 44 - 27 AUG 44 XII Corps
319th Infantry 11 SEP 44 - 15 SEP 44 4th Armored Division
1st Bn, 318th Infantry 12 SEP 44 - 15 SEP 44 4th Armored Division
1st Bn, 2nd Bn, 318th Infantry 24 DEC 44 - 28 DEC 44 4th Armored Division
319th Infantry 26 JAN 45 - 28 JAN 45 4th Division
3d Bn, 317th Infantry 26 JAN 45 - 25 FEB 45 4th Division
2d Bn, 3d Bn, 318th Infantry 26 JAN 45 - 25 FEB 45 4th Division
319th Infantry 29 JAN 45 - 4 FEB 45 4th Armored Division
318th Infantry 1 MAR 45 - 3 MAR 45 76th Division
319th Infantry 8 MAR 45 - 9 MAR 45 46th Division
318th Infantry 16 MAR 45 - 18 MAR 45 10th Armored Division
1st Bn, 3d Bn, 318th Infantry 19 MAR 45 - 22 MAR 45 10th Armored Division
318th Infantry 30 MAR 45 - 1 APR 45 6th Armored Division

WWII COMMAND POSTS

DATE TOWN REGION COUNTRY
13 JUN 44 Liverpool (Adv) Lancashire England
14 JUN 44 Sadiway (H mi SW; Pettypool Hall) (Adv) Cheshire England
7 JUL 44 Sandiway (H mi SW; Pettypool Hall) (Main Body)
(Entire division arrived in ETO 7 JUL 44) 		Cheshire England
31 JUL 44 Salisbury (marshalling area V-1) Wiltshire England
3 AUG 44 St-Jores (3 mi NE) Manche France
9 AUG 44 Montsuer Montsuer France
11 AUG 44 Amne (vc SW) Sarthe France
13 AUG 44 St-Mars Sarthe France
15 AUG 44 Jublains Mayenne France
17 AUG 44 Alencon Orne France
26 AUG 44 Valetien (3 mi NE) Aube France
27 AUG 44 St-Flavy (2 mi E) Aube France
28 AUG 44 Villeseneux (11 mi NE) Meuse France
30 AUG 44 La Veuve (1 mi E) Meuse France
1 SEP 44 Vignot (2 mi E) Meuse France
3 SEP 44 Girauvoisin (1 mi E) Meuse France
4 SEP 44 Limey (1 mi SW) Meurthe-et-Moselle France
12 SEP 44 Mamey (2 mi E) Meurthe-et-Moselle France
18 SEP 44 Dieulouard (1 mi N) Meurthe-et-Moselle France
19 SEP 44 Dieulouard (6 mi S) Meurthe-et-Moselle France
25 SEP 44 Dieulouard (2 mi S) Meurthe-et-Moselle France
27 SEP 44 Dieulouard (2 mi N) Meurthe-et-Moselle France
29 SEP 44 Belleville Meurthe-et-Moselle France
13 OCT 44 Ville-au-Val Meurthe-et-Moselle France
10 NOV 44 Mailly Moselle France
11 NOV 44 Liocourt Moselle France
13 NOV 44 St-Epvre Moselle France
16 NOV 44 Lesse Moselle France
24 NOV 44 Charbonnages Moselle France
28 NOV 44 St-Avold Moselle France
18 DEC 44 Bining Moselle France
20 DEC 44 Luxembourg   Luxembourg
21 DEC 44 Dommeldange   Luxembourg
22 DEC 44 Reckange les Mersch   Luxembourg
6 JAN 45 Oberfeulen   Luxembourg
24 JAN 45 Wiltz   Luxembourg
28 JAN 45 Fels   Luxembourg
18 FEB 45 Bettendorf   Luxembourg
26 FEB 45 Mettendorf Rhineland Germany
6 MAR 45 Rittersdorf Rhineland Germany
11 MAR 45 Mondorf Rhineland Germany
13 MAR 45 Beurig Rhineland Germany
17 MAR 45 Losheim Rhineland Germany
19 MAR 45 St Wendel Rhineland Germany
20 MAR 45 Glen-Munchweiler Pfalz Germany
21 MAR 45 Kaiserslautern Pfalz Germany
21 MAR 45 Bad Durkheim Pfalz Germany
24 MAR 45 Rockenhausen Pfalz Germany
27 MAR 45 Mainz Hessen-Nassau Germany
29 MAR 45 Wiesbaden Hessen Germany
30 MAR 45 Lich Oberhessen Germany
31 MAR 45 Neukirchen Hessen-Nassau Germany
1 APR 45 Homburg Hessen-Nassau Germany
4 APR 45 Oberzwehren Hessen-Nassau Germany
7 APR 45 Gotha Thuringia Germany
12 APR 45 Dietendorf Thuringia Germany
13 APR 45 Weimar Thuringia Germany
14 APR 45 Gera Thuringia Germany
16 APR 45 Limbach Saxony Germany
19 APR 45 Schesslitz Bavaria Germany
22 APR 45 Nurnberg Bavaria Germany
29 APR 45 Ziegelsdorf Bavaria Germany
30 APR 45 Ergoldsbach Bavaria Germany
2 MAY 45 Frontenhausen Bavaria Germany
3 MAY 45 Simbach Bavaria Germany
5 MAY 45 Vocklabruck Ober Oesterreich Austria