 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2012) |
| Americal Division | |
|---|---|
 Americal Division shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 1942–1945 1954–1956 1967–1971 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Regular Army |
| Nickname(s) | Americal |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Engagements | World War II
|
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Valorous Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | MG Alexander M. Patch, Jr. BG Edmund Sebree MG John R. Hodge MG Robert B. McClure MG William H. Arnold MG Samuel W. Koster MG James L. Baldwin MG Frederick J. Kroesen |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive unit insignia |  |
The Americal Division was an infantry division of the United States Army during World War II, briefly in the mid 1950s and the Vietnam War.
The division was activated 27 May 1942 on the island of New Caledonia.[1][2] In the immediate emergency following Pearl Harbor, the United States had hurriedly sent a task force to defend New Caledonia against a feared Japanese attack. This division was the only division formed outside of United States territory during World War II (a distinction it would repeat when reformed during the Vietnam War).[3] At the suggestion of a subordinate, the division's commander, Major General Alexander Patch, requested that the new unit be known as the Americal Division—the name being a contraction of "American, New Caledonian Division". This was unusual, as with the exception of the Philippine Division, all other U.S. divisions were known by a number. After World War II the Americal Division was officially re-designated as the 23rd Infantry Division. However, it was rarely referred to as such, even on official orders.
During the Vietnam War the division had a mixed record. It combined participation in numerous battles and campaigns but was marred by the My Lai massacre, which was committed by a platoon of the division's subordinate 11th Infantry Brigade, led by Lieutenant William Calley.
The division suffered a tactical defeat in the early morning of 28 March 1971, when Vietcong sappers assaulted FSB Mary Ann. The attack destroyed key infrastructure, as well as killing 33 and wounding 83 Americans.[4]
The division was inactivated following its withdrawal from South Vietnam in November 1971.
- ^ Williams 1960, p. 39.
- ^ U.S. Army Center of Military History, Force Structure and Unit History Branch 2008.
- ^ Stanton, Shelby. The Rise and Fall of an American Army. Presidio Press, 1985. page 186.
- ^ Nolan, Keith William (2007) [1995]. Sappers in the wire : the life and death of Firebase Mary Ann. Texas A & M University Press. OCLC 647013278.