40th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 40th Infantry Division
Active	1917-
Country	United States
Branch	U.S. Army National Guard
Type	mechanized infantry division
Nickname	Sunburst Division
Battles/wars	World War II
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (3)

The 40th Infantry Division (Mech) is a division of the United States Army. It is mainly composed of units of the California National Guard with one battalion from the Kansas National Guard. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to fifteen thousand soldiers. ... It has been suggested that United States Army values be merged into this article or section. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air National Guard). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air National Guard). ...

History

The 40th was organized at Camp Kearney, near San Diego, California, 16 September 1917, and was originally composed of National Guard organizations of the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. After seeing service in World War I as a depot division, it was redesignated the Guard division for California and Utah, before seeing service in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Later the division served Korea and some of its units were designated for Vietnam. The division was redesignated the Guard unit for California alone, and it continues to serve domestically as such, mostly in homeland security operations. September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... The Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) is the term used in the United States for all military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, in World War II. Pacific War is a more common name, around the world, for the broader conflict between the Allies and Japan... For the NBC TV Movie starring Tom Skeritt, see Homeland Security (TV Movie). ...

• World War II Casualties

1. 614 Killed in Action
2. 2,407 Wounded in Action
3. 134 Died of Wounds

• Korean War Casualties

1. 376 Killed in Action
2. 1,457 Wounded in Action
3. 47 Died of Wounds

Service record

World War I

Activated: 18 July 1917 (National Guard Division from California, Nevada, and Utah). Overseas: 3 August 1918 and redesignated the 6th Depot Division; received, equipped, trained, and forwarded replacements. Commanders: Maj. Gen. F. S. Strong (25 August 1917), Brig. Gen. G. H. Cameron (18 September 1917), Brig. Gen. L. S. Lyon (19 November 1917), Brig. Gen. G. H. Cameron (23 November 1917), Brig. Gen. L. S. Lyon (6 December 1917), Maj. Gen. F. S. Strong (8 December 1917). Returned to U. S.: 30 June 1919. July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... August 3 is the 215th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (216th in leap years), with 150 days remaining. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... November 19 is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... December 6 is the 340th day (341st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ...

World War II

Activated: 3 March 1941 (National Guard Division from California and Utah). Overseas: 23 August 1942. Campaigns: Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon. Distinguished Unit Citations: 3. Awards: MH-1 ; DSC-12 ; DSM-1 ; SS-245; LM-21; SM-30 ; BSM-1,036 ; AM-57. Commanders: Maj. Gen. Walter P. Story (March-September 1941), Maj. Gen. Ernest J. Dawley (September 1941-April 1942), Maj. Gen. Rapp Brush (April 1942-July 1945), Brig. Gen. Donald J. Myers (July 1945 to inactivation). Returned to U. S.: 7 April 1946. Inactivated: 7 April 1946 (See National Guard). March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... August 23 is the 235th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (236th in leap years), with 130 days remaining. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... April 7 is the 97th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (98th in leap years). ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

WWII Combat chronicle

The 40th Infantry Division's first oversea assignment was the defense of outer islands of Hawaii, where it arrived in September 1942. Training continued as defensive positions were improved and maintained. In July 1943 the division was concentrated on Oahu, and relieved the 24th Infantry Division of the defense of the North Sector. Relieved of the North Sector in October 1943, the 40th entered upon a period of intensive amphibious and jungle training. On 20 December 1943, the first units left for Guadalcanal, and by mid-January 1944, movement was completed, and the division prepared for its first combat assignment. On 24 April 1944, it left Guadalcanal for New Britain. The regiments of the division took positions at Talasea on the northern side of the island, at Arawe on the southern side, and at Gape Gloucester near the western end. Neutralization of the enemy was effected by patrols. No major battle was fought. Heavy rain and mud were constant problems. The 40th was relieved of missions on New Britain, 27 November, and began training for the Luzon landing. Sailing from Borgen Bay, 9 December 1944, the division made an assault landing at Lingayen, Luzon, under command of XIV Corps, on 9 January 1945. Seizing Lingayen airfield, the division occupied Bolinao Peninsula and San Miguel, and advanced toward Manila, running into heavy fighting in the Fort Stotsenburg area and the Bambam Hills. Snake Hill and Storm King Mountain were taken in February and the 40th was relieved, 2 March. Leaving Luzon, 15 March 1945, to cut behind the Japanese, the division landed on Panay Island on the 18th and knocked out Japanese resistance within 10 days, seizing airfields at Santa Barbara and Mandurriao. On 29 March, it landed at Pulupandan, Negros, advanced through Bacolod toward Talisay, which it secured by 2 April 1945. After mopping up on Negros Island, the division returned to Panay in June and July 1945. In September 1945, the division moved to Korea for occupation duty. (Redirected from 24th Infantry Division) Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized). ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... April 24 is the 114th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (115th in leap years). ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... December 9 is the 343rd day (344th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... The history of XIV Army Corps in World War II dates from December, 1942. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... March 2 is the 61st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (62nd in leap years). ... March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in Leap years). ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in leap years). ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ...

Korean War

Three members of the division's 223d Infantry Regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Korean War, David B. Bleak, Gilbert G. Collier and Clifton T. Speicher. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ... Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea  Australia  Belgium Canada  Colombia Ethiopia  France Greece  Netherlands  New Zealand  Philippines South Africa  Thailand  Turkey  United Kingdom United States Medical staff:  Denmark  India  Italy  Norway  Sweden Communist states: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea People’s Republic of China  Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee... David B. Bleak (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2006) was an Idaho native who enlisted in the Army in 1950. ...

Symbols

• Nickname: Sunburst Division.
• Shoulder patch: A dark blue diamond on which, in yellow, is the sun with 12 rays; the patch is worn diagonally.
• Association: 40th Infantry Division Association

[Nota Bene: These combat chronicles, current as of October 1948, are reproduced from The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950, pp. 510-592.]

The semi-sunburst was suggested as the unit's shoulder sleeve insignia, and represents the division's home of Southern California. The demi fleur-de-lis symbolizes service in France during World War I. The outer rim of the sun rays refers to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation award. The red arrowhead alludes to firepower of the division and represents their assault landing at Luzon in World War II. The Torri gate, a symbol of the Far East, refers to the award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

Leadership

The Sunburst Division is Commanded by Major General Jeff Gidley and the NCO Corps is led by CSM Stuart Fuller (current as of 2004). Their Chief of Staff is Colonel John Harrell.

External links

• California National Guard, Fortieth Infantry Division (Mechanized)

References

• The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at CMH.