Division Stats

8th INFANTRY DIVISION

"Pathfinder Division"
"Arrow Division"

Its nickname is represented by the golden arrow piercing the white "8" on a blue shield.
In mid August 1944 the 8th Division engaged German troops in the port city of Brest, France.
On the 17th the Division motto was established when surrendering Lt. Gen. Hermann Ramcke asked
to see the credentials of Brig. Gen. Charles D. W. Canham, Asst. Commander 8th I.D., who was brought
forward to accept the surrender.  Gen. Canham pointed to riflemen of the 13th Infantry Regiment and replied
"these are my credentials."
Motto: "These are my credentials"

COMMAND AND STAFF

Commanding General

15 Dec 1943

Maj Gen William C McMahon

12 Jul 1944

Brig Gen Donald A Stroh

30 Aug 1944

Maj Gen Donald A Stroh

28 Nov 1944

Brig Gen WG Weaver

8 Jan 1945

Brig Gen James A Pickering (Actg)

14 Jan 1945

Brig Gen WG Weaver

6 Feb 1945

Maj Gen WG Weaver

25 Feb 1945

Brig Gen Bryant E Moore

Assistant Div Commdr

15 Feb 1944

Brig Gen Nelson M Walker

12 Jul 1944

Col Cyrus H Searcy

26 Jul 1944

Col Charles DW Canham

1 Sep 1944

Brig Gen Charles DW Canham

Arty Comdr

15 Dec 1943

Brig Gen James A Pickering

CofS

15 Feb 1944

Col Thomas J Cross

27 Nov 1944

Lt Col Thomas B Whitted Jr

9 Feb 1945

Col Thomas B Whitted Jr

22 Mar 1945

Lt Col Joseph K Gibson

ACofS G-1

1 Feb 1944

Maj Edwin W Grenelle

31 Mar 1944

Lt Col Edwin W Grenelle

ACofS G-2

15 Dec 1943

Lt Col Joseph K Gibson

22 Mar 1945

Maj Laban G Lively

1 May 1945

Lt Col Laban G Lively

ACofS G-3

16 Feb 1944

Lt Col Thomas H Beck

1 Apr 1945

Lt Col Fielder P Greer

ACofS G-4

15 Feb 1944

Lt Col Thomas B Whitted Jr

27 Nov 1944

Maj Jacob Shacter

20 Dec 1944

Lt Col Jacob Shacter

ACofS G-5

31 May 1944

Maj Richard G Croft

6 Nov 1944

Lt Col Richard G Croft

16 Apr 1944

Maj Lester A Ahroon

Adj Gen

15 Feb 1944

Lt Col James D C Breckinridge

3 Feb 1945

Maj Cromartie

CO 13th Inf

8 Jul 1944

Col Robert A Griffin

25 Nov 1944

Lt Col Earle L Lerette

1 Dec 1944

Col Numa A Watson

CO 28th Inf

8 Jul 1944

Col Lester A Webb

9 Jul 1944

Lt Col Henry B Kunzig (Actg)

14 Jul 1944

Col Kenneth E Anderson

31 Aug 1944

Col Merrith E Olmstead

4 Mar 1945

Col Thomas H Beck

CO 121st Inf

8 Jul 1944

Col Albert H Peyton

9 Jul 1944

Col John R Jeter

25 Nov 1944

Col T J Cross

22 Mar 1945

Lt Col Earl L Lerette

STATISTICS

Chronology

Activated

1 Jul 40

Arrived ETO

15 Dec 43

Arrived Continent (D/28)

4 Jul 44

Entered Combat:

First Elements

6 Jul 44

Entire Division

8 Jul 44

Days in Combat

266

Casualties (Tentative)

Killed

2,239

Wounded

10,370

Missing

514

Captured

335

Battle Casualties

13,458

Non-Battle Casualties

7,598

Total Casualties

21,056

Percent of T/O Strength

149.4

Campaigns

Normandy

Northern France

Rhineland

Central Europe

Individual Awards

DSC

32

Legion of Merit

11

Silver Star

709

Soldiers Medal

30

Bronze Star

2,287

Air Medal

106

PWs Taken 316,187

COMPOSITION

ORGANIC UNITS

13th Infantry

28th Infantry

121st Infantry

8th Reconnaissance Troop (Mecz)

12th Engineer Combat Battalion

8th Medical Battalion

8th Division Artillery

43d Field Artillery Battalion (105 Howitzer)

45th Field Artillery Battalion (105 Howitzer)

56th Field Artillery Battalion (105 Howitzer)

28th Field Artillery Battalion (155 Howitzer)

Special Troops

708th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company

8th Quartermaster Company

8th Signal Company

Military Police Platoon

Headquarters Company

Band

ATTACHMENTS

Antiaircraft Artillery

445th AAA AW Bn (Mbl)

11 Jul 44-12 May 45

Armored

709th Tk Bn

13 Jul 44-26 Jan 45

CC R (5th Armd Div)

20 Nov 44-16 Dec 44

740th Tk Bn

6 Feb 45-13 Mar 45

740th Tk Bn

6 Apr 45-12 May 45

CC R (13th Armd Div)

14 Apr 45-17 Apr 45

Cavalry

89th Cav Rcn Sq (-Trs C & D) (9th Armd Div)

23 Oct 44-1 Nov 44

89th Cav Rcn Sq (-Trs A & D) (9th Armd Div)

1 Nov 44-10 Nov 44

13th Cav Gp

25 Dec 44-5 Feb 45

Chemical

86th Cml Mort Bn

7 Jul 44-20 Sep 44

86th Cml Mort Bn

19 Nov 44-24 Dec 44

Cos C&D 87th Cml Bn

9 Feb 45-10 Mar 45

Cos C&D 95th Cml Mort Bn

4 Apr 45-18 Apr 45

Cos B&C 89th Cml Mort Bn

29 Apr 45-12 May 45

Field Artillery

174th FA Gp

16 Aug 44-20 Sep 44

196th FA Gp

20 Aug 44-20 Sep 44

402d FA Gp

13 Sep 44-20 Sep 44

969th FA Gp

2 Oct 44-10 Nov 44

687th FA Gp

2 Oct 44-10 Nov 44

76th FA Bn (105 How)

19 Nov 44-21 Dec 44

18th FA Bn (105 How)

20 Nov 44-6 Dec 44

188th FA Bn (155 How)

26 Nov 44-11 Dec 44

987th FA Bn (155 Gun)

26 Nov 44-11 Dec 44

188th FA Bn (155 How)

8 Feb 45-28 Feb 45

210th FA Gp

2 May 45-12 May 45

548th FA Gp

2 May 45-12 May 45

965th FA Gp

2 May 45-12 May 45

Infantry

2d Ranger Inf Bn

17 Sep 44-20 Dec 44

52d Armd Inf Bn (9th Armd Div)

23 Oct 44-30 Oct 44

60th Armd Inf Bn (9th Armd Div)

2 Nov 44-9 Nov 44

112th CT (28th Div)

4 Feb 45-11 Feb 45

2d Ranger Inf Bn

19 Nov 44-16 Dec 44

311th Inf (78th Div )

9 Dec 44-23 Dec 44

Infantry (Contd)

16th CT (1st Div)

6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45

7th FA Bn (1st Div)(105 How)

6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45

Co A 1st Engr C Bn (1st Div)

6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45

Co A 745th Tk Bn

6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45

Co C 634th TD Bn (SP)

6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45

1st Bn 343d Inf (86th Div)

6 Apr 45-7 Apr 45

Tank Destroyer

644th TD Bn (SP)

15 Jul 44-28 Apr 45

893d TD Bn (SP)

19 Nov 44-10 Dec 44

817th TD Bn (T)

9 Dec 44-8 Feb 45

DETACHMENTS

(Attached to)

Engineer

Co C 12th Engr C Bn

82d Abn Div

1 May 45-1 May 45

Field Artillery

28th FA Bn

4th Armd Div

27 Jul 44-3 Aug 44

45th Fa Bn

6th Armd Div

18 Aug 44-21 Aug 44

28th FA Bn

6th Armd Div

18 Aug 44-21 Aug 44

43d FA Bn

82d Abn Div

29 Apr 45-1 May 45

56th FA Bn

82d Abn Div

30 Apr 45-1 May 45

Infantry

13th Inf

4th Armd Div

27 Jul 44-3 Aug 44

121st CT

83d Div

6 Aug 44-15 Aug 44

56th FA Bn

83d Div

6 Aug 44-15 Aug 44

1st Bn 28th Inf

6th Armd Div

8 Aug 44-18 Aug 44

28th Inf

6th Armd Div

18 Aug 44-21 Aug 44

3d Bn 121st Inf

Com Z

26 Sep 44-19 Nov 44

3d Bn 121st Inf

5th Armd Div

17 Dec 44-21 Dec 44

13th Inf

3d Armd Div

26 Feb 45-17 Mar 45

3d Bn 13th Inf

3d Armd Div

17 Mar 45-19 Mar 45

13th Inf

82d Abn Div

28 Apr 45-30 Apr 45

121st Inf

82d Abn Div

29 Apr 45-30 Apr 45

ASSIGNMENT AND ATTACHMENT TO HIGHER UNITS

DATE

CORPS

ARMY

ARMY GROUP

Assigned

Attached

Assigned

Attached

30 Nov 43

First

ETOUSA

24 Dec 43

XV

First

11 Jan 44

XV

-

1 Jul 44

VIII

First

1 Aug 44

VIII

Third

-

12th

5 Sep 44

VIII

Ninth

12th

22 Oct 44

VIII

First

12th

19 Nov 44

V

First

12th

18 Dec 44

VII

First

12th

20 Dec 44

XIX

Ninth

12th

Br 21st

22 Dec 44

XIX

Ninth

12th

Br 21st

3 Feb 45

VII

First

12th

-

2 Apr 45

XVIII Abn

First

12th

26 Apr 45

XVIII Abn

Ninth

Br (Opns) Second

12th

Br 21st

COMMAND POSTS

DATE

TOWN

REGION

COUNTRY

1943

15 Dec

Belfast

N Ire

1944

26 Jan
1 Mar

Knockmore

N Ire

15 Mar

Omagh

Tyrone

N Ire

30 Jun

Afloat

4 Jul

Utah Beach (landed)

Manche

France

9 Jul

La Fosseraie

Manche

France

25 Jul

La-Haye-du-Puits

Manche

France

27 Jul

St-Patrice-de-Claids

Manche

France

28 Jul

La-Haye-du-Puits (vic SE)

Manche

France

5 Aug

Betton (vic E)

Ille-et-Vilaine

France

18 Aug

Lesneven

Finistere

France

30 Aug

Plouvien

Finistere

France

14 Sep

La Fontaine Blanche

Ille-et-Vilaine

France

20 Sep

La Bosere

Ille-et-Vilaine

France

22 Sep

Lanviguer

Ille-et-Vilaine

France

30 Sep

Grosbous

--

Luxembg

3 Oct

Wiltz

--

Luxembg

19 Nov

Rott

Rhineland

Germany

17 Dec

Germeter

Rhineland

Germany

27 Dec

Zweifall

Rhineland

Germany

1945

16 Jan

Groshau

Rhineland

Germany

10 Feb

Merode

Rhineland

Germany

25 Feb

Duren

Rhineland

Germany

2 Mar

Bergerhausen

Rhineland

Germany

28 Mar

Hachenburg

Hessen-Nassau

Germany

31 Mar

Haiger

Hessen Nassau

Germany

7 Apr

Siegen

Westphalia

Germany

9 Apr

Buschhutten

Westphalia

Germany

11 Apr

Olpe

Westphalia

Germany

12 Apr

Kierspe

Westphalia

Germany

13 Apr

Meinerzhagen

Westphalia

Germany

14 Apr

Filde

Westphalia

Germany

15 Apr

Milspe

Westphalia

Germany

23 Apr

Elberfeld

Westphalia

Germany

27 Apr

Gerdau

Mecklenburg

Germany

2 May

Hagenow

Mecklenburg

Germany

3 May

Schwerin

Mecklenburg

Germany

15 Dec 1943	Maj Gen William C McMahon
12 Jul 1944	Brig Gen Donald A Stroh
30 Aug 1944	Maj Gen Donald A Stroh
28 Nov 1944	Brig Gen WG Weaver
8 Jan 1945	Brig Gen James A Pickering (Actg)
14 Jan 1945	Brig Gen WG Weaver
6 Feb 1945	Maj Gen WG Weaver
25 Feb 1945	Brig Gen Bryant E Moore

15 Feb 1944	Brig Gen Nelson M Walker
12 Jul 1944	Col Cyrus H Searcy
26 Jul 1944	Col Charles DW Canham
1 Sep 1944	Brig Gen Charles DW Canham

15 Feb 1944	Col Thomas J Cross
27 Nov 1944	Lt Col Thomas B Whitted Jr
9 Feb 1945	Col Thomas B Whitted Jr
22 Mar 1945	Lt Col Joseph K Gibson

1 Feb 1944	Maj Edwin W Grenelle
31 Mar 1944	Lt Col Edwin W Grenelle

16 Feb 1944	Lt Col Thomas H Beck
1 Apr 1945	Lt Col Fielder P Greer

31 May 1944	Maj Richard G Croft
6 Nov 1944	Lt Col Richard G Croft
16 Apr 1944	Maj Lester A Ahroon

15 Feb 1944	Lt Col James D C Breckinridge
3 Feb 1945	Maj Cromartie

8 Jul 1944	Col Robert A Griffin
25 Nov 1944	Lt Col Earle L Lerette
1 Dec 1944	Col Numa A Watson

8 Jul 1944	Col Lester A Webb
9 Jul 1944	Lt Col Henry B Kunzig (Actg)
14 Jul 1944	Col Kenneth E Anderson
31 Aug 1944	Col Merrith E Olmstead
4 Mar 1945	Col Thomas H Beck

8 Jul 1944	Col Albert H Peyton
9 Jul 1944	Col John R Jeter
25 Nov 1944	Col T J Cross
22 Mar 1945	Lt Col Earl L Lerette

Activated	1 Jul 40
Arrived ETO	15 Dec 43
Arrived Continent (D/28)	4 Jul 44
Entered Combat:
First Elements	6 Jul 44
Entire Division	8 Jul 44
Days in Combat	266

Killed	2,239
Wounded	10,370
Missing	514
Captured	335
Battle Casualties	13,458
Non-Battle Casualties	7,598
Total Casualties	21,056
Percent of T/O Strength	149.4

DSC	32
Legion of Merit	11
Silver Star	709
Soldiers Medal	30
Bronze Star	2,287
Air Medal	106

709th Tk Bn	13 Jul 44-26 Jan 45
CC R (5th Armd Div)	20 Nov 44-16 Dec 44
740th Tk Bn	6 Feb 45-13 Mar 45
740th Tk Bn	6 Apr 45-12 May 45
CC R (13th Armd Div)	14 Apr 45-17 Apr 45

89th Cav Rcn Sq (-Trs C & D) (9th Armd Div)	23 Oct 44-1 Nov 44
89th Cav Rcn Sq (-Trs A & D) (9th Armd Div)	1 Nov 44-10 Nov 44
13th Cav Gp	25 Dec 44-5 Feb 45

86th Cml Mort Bn	7 Jul 44-20 Sep 44
86th Cml Mort Bn	19 Nov 44-24 Dec 44
Cos C&D 87th Cml Bn	9 Feb 45-10 Mar 45
Cos C&D 95th Cml Mort Bn	4 Apr 45-18 Apr 45
Cos B&C 89th Cml Mort Bn	29 Apr 45-12 May 45

174th FA Gp	16 Aug 44-20 Sep 44
196th FA Gp	20 Aug 44-20 Sep 44
402d FA Gp	13 Sep 44-20 Sep 44
969th FA Gp	2 Oct 44-10 Nov 44
687th FA Gp	2 Oct 44-10 Nov 44
76th FA Bn (105 How)	19 Nov 44-21 Dec 44
18th FA Bn (105 How)	20 Nov 44-6 Dec 44
188th FA Bn (155 How)	26 Nov 44-11 Dec 44
987th FA Bn (155 Gun)	26 Nov 44-11 Dec 44
188th FA Bn (155 How)	8 Feb 45-28 Feb 45
210th FA Gp	2 May 45-12 May 45
548th FA Gp	2 May 45-12 May 45
965th FA Gp	2 May 45-12 May 45

2d Ranger Inf Bn	17 Sep 44-20 Dec 44
52d Armd Inf Bn (9th Armd Div)	23 Oct 44-30 Oct 44
60th Armd Inf Bn (9th Armd Div)	2 Nov 44-9 Nov 44
112th CT (28th Div)	4 Feb 45-11 Feb 45
2d Ranger Inf Bn	19 Nov 44-16 Dec 44
311th Inf (78th Div )	9 Dec 44-23 Dec 44

16th CT (1st Div)	6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45
7th FA Bn (1st Div)(105 How)	6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45
Co A 1st Engr C Bn (1st Div)	6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45
Co A 745th Tk Bn	6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45
Co C 634th TD Bn (SP)	6 Feb 45-7 Feb 45
1st Bn 343d Inf (86th Div)	6 Apr 45-7 Apr 45

644th TD Bn (SP)	15 Jul 44-28 Apr 45
893d TD Bn (SP)	19 Nov 44-10 Dec 44
817th TD Bn (T)	9 Dec 44-8 Feb 45

28th FA Bn	4th Armd Div	27 Jul 44-3 Aug 44
45th Fa Bn	6th Armd Div	18 Aug 44-21 Aug 44
28th FA Bn	6th Armd Div	18 Aug 44-21 Aug 44
43d FA Bn	82d Abn Div	29 Apr 45-1 May 45
56th FA Bn	82d Abn Div	30 Apr 45-1 May 45

13th Inf	4th Armd Div	27 Jul 44-3 Aug 44
121st CT	83d Div	6 Aug 44-15 Aug 44
56th FA Bn	83d Div	6 Aug 44-15 Aug 44
1st Bn 28th Inf	6th Armd Div	8 Aug 44-18 Aug 44
28th Inf	6th Armd Div	18 Aug 44-21 Aug 44
3d Bn 121st Inf	Com Z	26 Sep 44-19 Nov 44
3d Bn 121st Inf	5th Armd Div	17 Dec 44-21 Dec 44
13th Inf	3d Armd Div	26 Feb 45-17 Mar 45
3d Bn 13th Inf	3d Armd Div	17 Mar 45-19 Mar 45
13th Inf	82d Abn Div	28 Apr 45-30 Apr 45
121st Inf	82d Abn Div	29 Apr 45-30 Apr 45

DATE	CORPS	ARMY		ARMY GROUP
DATE	CORPS	Assigned	Attached	Assigned	Attached
30 Nov 43			First	ETOUSA
24 Dec 43	XV		First
11 Jan 44	XV		-
1 Jul 44	VIII		First
1 Aug 44	VIII	Third	-	12th
5 Sep 44	VIII	Ninth		12th
22 Oct 44	VIII	First		12th
19 Nov 44	V	First		12th
18 Dec 44	VII	First		12th
20 Dec 44	XIX	Ninth		12th	Br 21st
22 Dec 44	XIX	Ninth		12th	Br 21st
3 Feb 45	VII	First		12th	-
2 Apr 45	XVIII Abn	First		12th
26 Apr 45	XVIII Abn	Ninth	Br (Opns) Second	12th	Br 21st

DATE	TOWN	REGION	COUNTRY
1943
15 Dec	Belfast		N Ire
1944
26 Jan 1 Mar	Knockmore		N Ire
15 Mar	Omagh	Tyrone	N Ire
30 Jun	Afloat
4 Jul	Utah Beach (landed)	Manche	France
9 Jul	La Fosseraie	Manche	France
25 Jul	La-Haye-du-Puits	Manche	France
27 Jul	St-Patrice-de-Claids	Manche	France
28 Jul	La-Haye-du-Puits (vic SE)	Manche	France
5 Aug	Betton (vic E)	Ille-et-Vilaine	France
18 Aug	Lesneven	Finistere	France
30 Aug	Plouvien	Finistere	France
14 Sep	La Fontaine Blanche	Ille-et-Vilaine	France
20 Sep	La Bosere	Ille-et-Vilaine	France
22 Sep	Lanviguer	Ille-et-Vilaine	France
30 Sep	Grosbous	--	Luxembg
3 Oct	Wiltz	--	Luxembg
19 Nov	Rott	Rhineland	Germany
17 Dec	Germeter	Rhineland	Germany
27 Dec	Zweifall	Rhineland	Germany
1945
16 Jan	Groshau	Rhineland	Germany
10 Feb	Merode	Rhineland	Germany
25 Feb	Duren	Rhineland	Germany
2 Mar	Bergerhausen	Rhineland	Germany
28 Mar	Hachenburg	Hessen-Nassau	Germany
31 Mar	Haiger	Hessen Nassau	Germany
7 Apr	Siegen	Westphalia	Germany
9 Apr	Buschhutten	Westphalia	Germany
11 Apr	Olpe	Westphalia	Germany
12 Apr	Kierspe	Westphalia	Germany
13 Apr	Meinerzhagen	Westphalia	Germany
14 Apr	Filde	Westphalia	Germany
15 Apr	Milspe	Westphalia	Germany
23 Apr	Elberfeld	Westphalia	Germany
27 Apr	Gerdau	Mecklenburg	Germany
2 May	Hagenow	Mecklenburg	Germany
3 May	Schwerin	Mecklenburg	Germany