The 70th Infantry Division ("Trailblazers") was a unit of the United States Army in World War II, spearheading the Seventh United States Army's drive into Germany, south of Saarbrücken.
Activated at Camp Adair, Oregon, in 1943, the 70th Division served throughout World War II in the European Theater of Operations, the division was inactivated in October 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey following its return to the United States.
The name "Trailblazers" originated from the pioneers moving west into Oregon and "blazing" trails through the thick evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest. The 70th Infantry Division adopted the "Trailblazer" title when they were activated in 1943. They became known as the Trailblazer Division.
Activated: 15 June 1943.
July 1944 moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Overseas: Task Force Herren-December 1944; Support Troops-8 January 1945.
Campaigns: Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland, Central Europe.
Days of combat: 86.
Distinguished Unit Citations: 1.
Awards: DSC-12; SS-228 (4 clusters); LM-7; SM-16; BS-430 (14 clusters); Military Cross (UK)-1; AM-20; Meritorious Unit Citation-3.
Commanders: Major General John E. Dahlquist (June 1943 – July 1944), Major General. Allison J. Barnett (July 1944 – July 1945), Brigadier General Thomas W. Herren (July 1945 – October 1945).
Returned to U.S.: 10 October 1945.
Inactivated: 11 October 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jeresy
Headquarters, 70th Infantry Division
274th Infantry Regiment
275th Infantry Regiment
276th Infantry Regiment
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 70th Infantry Division Artillery
725th Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm)
882nd Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
883rd Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
884th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
270th Engineer Combat Battalion
370th Medical Battalion
379th AG Battalion
70th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
Headquarters, Special Troops, 70th Infantry Division
Headquarters Company, 70th Infantry Division
770th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
70th Quartermaster Company
570th Signal Company
Military Police Platoon
Band
70th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment
The three infantry regiments of the 70th Infantry Division, the 274th, 275th and 276th, landed at Marseille, France, 10–15 December 1944, and were formed into Task Force Herren under command of deputy division commander, Thomas W.