92nd Division 92nd Infantry Division (Colored) |
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Shoulder sleeve insignia
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Active | 1917–1919 1942–1945 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Nickname(s) | "Buffalo Soldiers" |
Motto(s) | "Deeds, not Words |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
Maj. Gen. Edward M. Almond |
Insignia | |
Distinctive unit insignia |
The 92nd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army that served in both World War I and World War II. Organized in October 1917 at Camp Funston, Kansas, the unit was formed with African American soldiers from all states. Before leaving for France in 1918, the buffalo was selected as the divisional insignia due to the "Buffalo Soldiers" nickname, given to African American cavalrymen by Native Americans in the 19th century. The "Buffalo Soldiers Division" divisional nickname was inherited from the 367th Infantry, one of the first units of the division organized. This segregated unit was the only African American infantry division to see combat in Europe during World War II, as part of the U.S. Fifth Army, fighting in the Italian Campaign. It served in the Italian Campaign from 1944 to the war's end.
The 92nd Division was first constituted on paper 24 October 1917 in the National Army, over six months after the American entry into World War I. The division was commanded throughout most of its existence by Major General Charles C. Ballou and was composed of the 183rd Infantry Brigade with the 365th and 366th Infantry Regiments, and the 184th Infantry Brigade with the 367th and 368th Infantry Regiments, together with supporting artillery, engineer, medical and signal units attached. The division was actually organized on 27 October 1917 at Camp Funston, Kansas.