The 69th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "fighting 69th," was a Division of the United States Army formed during World War II. It is distinct from the 69th Infantry Regiment (New York) (the "Fighting 69th").
The shoulder sleeve insignia of the division was designed by its then commander Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte with the red, white, and blue being the colors of the United States forming a "6" and a "9".
Activated: 15 May 1943. Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Overseas: December 1944.
Campaigns: Rhineland, Central Europe
Days of combat: 86.
Awards:
Distinguished Service Cross-5
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)-1
Silver Star Medal-105
Legion of Merit Medal-3
Soldier's Medal-12
Bronze Star Medal-2,253
Air Medal-33.
Commanders:
Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte (May 1943 – September 1944),
Maj. Gen. Emil F. Reinhardt (September 1944 – August 1945),
Brig. Gen. Robert V. Maraist (August 1945 to inactivation).
Returned to U.S.: 13 September 1945.
Inactivated: 16 September 1945. Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
Headquarters, 69th Infantry Division
271st Infantry Regiment
272nd Infantry Regiment
273rd Infantry Regiment
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 69th Infantry Division Artillery
724th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
879th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
880th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
881st Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm)
269th Engineer Combat Battalion
369th Medical Battalion
69th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
Headquarters, Special Troops, 69th Infantry Division
Headquarters Company, 69th Infantry Division
769th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
69th Quartermaster Company
569th Signal Company
Military Police Platoon
Band
69th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment
The 69th Infantry Division arrived in England, on 12 December 1944, where it continued its training.
It landed in Le Havre, France, on 24 January 1945, and moved to Belgium to relieve the 99th Division, on 12 February, and hold defensive positions in the Siegfried Line.