 |
 |
The 4th ID arrived in Vietnam on 25 Sep 66 from Ft Lewis, WA and departed 7 Dec 70 to Ft Carson, CO. In Aug 67, 3rd Bde, 4ID was transferred to 25ID. In return, 4ID received 3rd Bde, 25th ID. The latter Bde was inactivated at Ft Lewis when it pulled out of Vietnam. The original 3rd Bde rejoined the Division at Ft Carson.
"Steadfast and Loyal"
The 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) has a long and distinguished history. It has seen combat in three wars, 16 of its soldiers have been awarded the Medal of Honor, and 21 campaign streamers adorn its colors.
The Division was formed in December of 1917 and Major General George H. Cameron assumed command. Four months later the Fourth embarked for Europe and what was to become the "War to End All Wars," World War I.
When the Aisne-Marne campaign began July 18, 1918, units of the Fourth were task organized out to several French Infantry Divisions. Almost a month later, the Fourth was reunited for the final days of the campaign.
[Image] During the next four months, the Fourth saw action in the front lines and as reserves. Before the armistice was declared, the Fourth suffered 11,500 soldiers killed and wounded and was the only division to serve in both the French and British sectors of the Western Front.
Almost two decades followed before the Fourth was reactivated and prepared to fight in Europe once again. From staging areas in England, the Fourth trained for its major role in Operation Overlord (D-Day), the amphibious invasion of Europe, June 6, 1944.
The Fourth, specifically the 8th Infantry Regiment, was the first Allied unit to assault German forces on the Normandy beaches. It went ashore on Utah Beach and for 26 days pushed forward until reaching its objective and was then relieved by the 101st Airborne Division. More than 5,000 Fourth Infantry Division (Mechanized) soldiers lost their lives during this month long operation.
As a result of his heroic courage during the assault, and actions above and beyond the call of duty on June 6, 1944, the Assistant Division Commanding General, Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Breaking out of the beachhead and expanding operations well into France, the Fourth was given the honor of being the first American unit to participate in the liberation of Paris. Quickly they moved into the Hurtgen Forest and fought what was to be their fiercest battle. Holding ground during the Battle of the Bulge, crossing the Rhine, then the Danube, and finally ceasing its advance at the Isar River in Southern Germany.
After World War II the Fourth was moved several times to better serve the Army. First as a training division at Fort Ord, California, then four years later, Fort Benning, Georgia, and then to Western Europe to become part of U.S. forces in NATO. The Fourth remained in Germany until 1956, when it returned to Fort Lewis, Washington.
Two decades passed before the Fourth would again see combat; this time the battlefields were in Southeast Asia.
When the Fourth arrived in Vietnam, September 25, 1966, its brigades were deployed to different locations and they fought like this until returning to America in early December 1970. Its overall focus was on combat operations but the division participated in numerous, pacification, humanitarian, and civic action programs throughout South Vietnam.
With the First Brigade near the South China Sea, Second Brigade in the central highlands, and Third Brigade in the Mekong Delta, the Fourth took part in 11 major campaigns during its five years in Vietnam and 12 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor.
The Division returned from overseas and moved to Fort Carson, Colorado, where it was reorganized as a mechanized unit, and remained there for the next 23 years.
When the Fourth Infantry Division (Mechanized) uncased its colors at Fort Hood in December 1995, history was further rewritten as it became the Army's Experimental Force.
As the Army transforms into Force XXI, the Fourth will take the lead in developing and implementing new tactics, techniques and procedures for operations in the 21st Century. Task Force XXI, the 1st Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), will be the first unit to fully equip itself with "Information Age" equipment and technology, train as an information-based force, and conduct an Advanced Warfighting Experiment at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, in March 1997. The Division will follow Task Force XXI and conduct a Division AWE in November 1997.
With the redesignation complete, in accordance with the Army's 10-Division Restructuring Plan, the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) has three active duty maneuver Brigades along with its Aviation and Engineer Brigades, Division Artillery (DIVARTY), Division Support Command (DISCOM), and three separate battalions. The Division's 1st and 2nd Brigades remain here while the 3rd Brigade will remain at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Major General Arthur S. Collins, Jr. Sept. 66
Major General William R. Peers Jan. 67
Major General Charles P. Stone Jan. 68
Major General Donn R. Pepke Dec. 68
Major General Glenn D. Walker Nov. 69
Major General William A. Burke July 70
Brigadier General Maurice K. Kendall (acting) Dec. 70
1st Brigade HQ and HQ Company 10/04/66 - 12/07/70
2nd Brigade HQ and HQ Company 08/10/66 - 12/07/70
3rd Brigade HQ and HQ Company 10/09/66 - 04/15/70
Division Artillery HQ and HQ Battery 10/04/66 - 12/07/70
Division Support Command and HQ & HQ Co. 10/04/66 - 12/07/70
Dak To March 68
Pleiku April 68 - Feb 70
An Khe / Pleiku March 70
An Khe April 70 - Dec 70
ASSIGNED AND ATTACHED UNITS
INFANTRY BATTALIONS NICKNAME
2nd Battalion 8th Infantry - Mechanized Panthers
3rd Battalion 8th Infantry Dragoons
1st Battalion 12th Infantry Red Warriors
2nd Battalion 12th Infantry + White Warriors
3rd Battalion 12th Infantry Braves
1st Battalion 14th Infantry * Golden Dragons
1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Regulars
2nd Battalion 22nd Infantry + Triple Deuces
3rd Battalion 22nd Infantry + Regulars
1st Battalion 35th Infantry * Cati Green
2nd Battalion 35th Infantry * Cati Blue
4th Medical Battalion
4th Supply & Transport Battalion
124th Signal Battalion
704th Maintenance Battalion
4th Administration Company
4th Military Police Company
374th Army Security Agency Company
5th Battalion 16th Artillery (155mm)
6th Battalion 29th Artillery (105mm) Can Do
4th Battalion 42nd Artillery (105mm)
2nd Battalion 77th Artillery (105mm) +
1st Battalion 69th Armor * Black Panthers
Company E,20th Inf. (Long Range Patrol)
Company E,58th Inf. (Long Range Patrol)
Company K,75th Inf. (Ranger)
2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry (Armored) Blackhawks
3rd Battalion 506th Inf. (Airmobile)
1st Battalion 50th Inf. (Mechanized)
* Arrived from the 25th Infantry Division in August 1967
+ Transferred to the 25th Infantry Division in A