Photo By Lt. Col. Matthew Devivo | The 30th Infantry Division sets sail for home on the Queen Mary and other ships,...... read more read more
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RALEIGH, N.C. – World War II veterans of the 30th Infantry Division, nicknamed “Old Hickory” from WWI, and current soldiers of its lineage unit, the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team of the North Carolina Army National Guard, are having their annual reunion here, July 29-30, 2016.
The WWII veterans, well into their 80’s and 90’s, have been passing the torch of military experience, knowledge and comradery to the junior members of “Old Hickory” for decades. In attendance at this year’s reunion are veterans of WWII and 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s 2004 and 2009 deployments to Iraq.
“Today there are roughly 500 veterans still alive who were members of one of World War II’s greatest infantry divisions, the 30th Infantry Division,” said Charles Morrison, 30th Infantry Division Association president. “With the exception of some senior officers and non-commissioned officers, the 30th was an all National Guard force with soldiers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.”
The 30th Infantry Division landed at Omaha Beach on June 10, 1944 and entered combat five days later. The division took part in every major campaign in the European Theater of Operation’s western front: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes – Alsace and Central Europe.
The 30th spent 282 days in almost constant combat. The division suffered 3,435 killed in action and 12,960 wounded. Six Medal of Honors were awarded to Old Hickory soldiers, 65 Distinguished Service Crosses, 1,718 Silver Stars, 6,319 Bronze Stars and 20,000 Purple Hearts.
Notably, the 30th Infantry Division twice decisively engaged and defeated the German Army’s elite tank divisions of the 1st and 2nd SS Panzer at Mortain, France, and the 1st SS Panzer Division, specifically Kampfgruppe Piper Battlegroup's spearhead for the 6th SS Panzer Army, at the Battle of the Bulge. The 30th was a key element in the spearhead to break through the Siegfried Line.
There were 60 divisions that fought in Europe during WWII. After months of research following the end of WWII in Europe, the Army review board picked eight divisions, deeming them worthy of unit citations. The 30th Infantry Division was on that very short list of eight divisions recommended for citations.
Colonel S.L.A. Marshall, Gen. Eisenhower’s chief historian in the European Theater of Operations deemed “Old Hickory” the outstanding infantry division in the WWII European Theater of Operation. However, due to a paperwork logjam and the subsequent retirement of those in command, the 30th never received the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).
Many subordinate units of the 30th earned the PUC, but none for the division level.
Today, the 30th Infantry Division Association, the North Carolina National Guard Association, former 30th veterans from WWII and others have reinvigorated efforts to request the Army re-examine award submission documents requesting the 30th Infantry Division receive the PUC for its exemplary performance and extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action against the enemy in Europe.
“While the 30th was vital in several actions, we are seeking the PUC for the 30th's breach and penetration of the Siegfried Line that provided a clear avenue of march for Allied forces into Germany,” said Morrison. “The 30th captured more than 6200 prisoners, destroyed at least 191 pillbox positions, destroyed numerous German tanks and set the conditions for the capture of the town of Aachen.”
Like all WWII era units, the 30th Infantry Division's ranks are growing smaller and smaller. What a fitting and overdue honor it would be if the surviving members of one of America’s greatest WWII divisions get the recognition they deserve before there are no more “Old Hickory” veterans left.
To learn more about the Presidential Unit Citation for “Old Hickory” WWII heroes and to support the White House petition for a PUC, visit the 30th Infantry Division Association webpage at www.30thinfantry.wordpress.com.
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2016 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 205130 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 811 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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