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===Reorganization of 1963===
===Reorganization of 1963===
By 1963 the army again changed the basic design for a division. The battle groups of the pentomic division had proved to be unwieldy, and it was felt that their span of control was not sufficient to handle all of the various units and troops assigned to their command.<ref>Wilson, John B. Maneuver and Firepower, The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, p.297. {{cite web|url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/Lineage/M-F/chapter11.htm#b4 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-08-18 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907083236/http://www.history.army.mil:80/books/Lineage/m-f/chapter11.htm |archivedate=7 September 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> The army reverted to the infantry battalion as the basic building block and provided for additional command and control by providing a brigade headquarters. The 1st and 2nd Brigade, 39th Division were allocated to the Louisiana National Guard, while the 3rd Brigade was allocated to the Arkansas National Guard.<ref>Smith, Harry (1962). Arkansas Army and Air National Guard: A History and Record of Events, 1820–1962. Arkansas Military Department. p.86.</ref>
By 1963 the army again changed the basic design for a division. The battle groups of the pentomic division had proved to be unwieldy, and it was felt that their span of control was not sufficient to handle all of the various units and troops assigned to their command.<ref>Wilson, John B. Maneuver and Firepower, The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, p.297. {{cite web|url=http://www.history.army.mil/books/Lineage/M-F/chapter11.htm#b4 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-08-18 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907083236/http://www.history.army.mil/books/Lineage/m-f/chapter11.htm |archivedate=7 September 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> The army reverted to the infantry battalion as the basic building block and provided for additional command and control by providing a brigade headquarters. The 1st and 2nd Brigade, 39th Division were allocated to the Louisiana National Guard, while the 3rd Brigade was allocated to the Arkansas National Guard.<ref>Smith, Harry (1962). Arkansas Army and Air National Guard: A History and Record of Events, 1820–1962. Arkansas Military Department. p.86.</ref>


====Infantry====
====Infantry====
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.arguard.org/ AR National Guard]
*[http://www.arguard.org/ AR National Guard]
*[http://www.arguard.org/AirGuard/index.htm/ AR Air National Guard]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100704025244/http://www.arguard.org/AirGuard/index.htm AR Air National Guard]
*[http://www.arguard.org/ArmyGuard/index.asp/ AR Army National Guard]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101025153122/http://www.arguard.org/ArmyGuard/index.asp AR Army National Guard]
*[http://www.arngmuseum.com/ The Arkansas National Guard Museum]
*[http://www.arngmuseum.com/ The Arkansas National Guard Museum]
*[http://www.history.army.mil/ARNG/NG-AR.htm Bibliography of Arkansas Army National Guard History] compiled by the [[United States Army Center of Military History]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120925125808/http://www.history.army.mil/ARNG/NG-AR.htm Bibliography of Arkansas Army National Guard History] compiled by the [[United States Army Center of Military History]]
* [http://www.arguard.org/ The Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas National Guard Home]
* [http://www.arguard.org/ The Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas National Guard Home]
* [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/ The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]
* [http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/ The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture]
* [http://states.ng.mil/sites/RI/army/43mp/103fabn/default.aspx Rhode Island National Guard, 103rd Field Artillery Regiment, headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140222202325/http://states.ng.mil/sites/RI/army/43mp/103fabn/default.aspx Rhode Island National Guard, 103rd Field Artillery Regiment, headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Aleutians.html United States Navy Combat Narrative, The Aleutian Islands Campaign, June 1942 – August 1943, Naval Historical Center]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Aleutians.html United States Navy Combat Narrative, The Aleutian Islands Campaign, June 1942 – August 1943, Naval Historical Center]
* [http://sites.google.com/site/206thfieldartilleryvets/ 206th Field Artillery Vets on Google sites]
* [http://sites.google.com/site/206thfieldartilleryvets/ 206th Field Artillery Vets on Google sites]

Revision as of 19:24, 22 June 2017

39th Infantry Division
39th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1917–19
1946–67
Country United States
Branch United States Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Nickname(s)"Delta Division"
EngagementsWorld War I
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Raymond Fleming

The 39th Infantry Division (Delta Division) was an infantry formation of the Army National Guard, originally formed as the 18th Division in 1917. The division consisted of troops from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. After training at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, the division was deployed to France but did not see combat before the end of World War I. In July 1923 the division was re-designated as the 31st Infantry Division.[1] The 39th Infantry Division was reactivated after World War II with troops from Louisiana and Arkansas and its headquarters in Louisiana. In 1967, the 39th Infantry Division was reorganized to become the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate). Its headquarters was in Little Rock, Arkansas and the unit consisted entirely of troops from the Arkansas Army National Guard.[2]

World War I

In July 1917, it was announced that National Guard units from Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana would be assigned to Alexandria, Louisiana, for training as the 18th Division.[3] Alexandria is the location of Camp Beauregard, named after General P. G. T. Beauregard, C.S.A.[4]

Re-numbering and loss of state designations

Upon transfer to Camp Beauregard, all National Guard units were stripped of their state designations and re-numbered under a new federal system.[5] At this time the division of troops from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi was re-designated the 39th Division. The 39th "Delta" Division was composed of:[6]

Headquarters New unit designation Former state designation State
39th Division HQ and HQ Company 2nd Separate Troop, Louisiana Cavalry[7] Louisiana
77th Infantry Brigade 153rd Infantry Regiment 1st Arkansas Infantry[8] Arkansas
154th Infantry Regiment 3rd Arkansas Infantry (Minus 3rd Battalion), Companies G, I, M, 1st Louisiana Infantry, less one third men; 1st Battalion, 2nd Mississippi Infantry[8] Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana
141st Machine Gun Battalion 3rd Battalion, 3rd Arkansas Infantry plus Machine Gun Company from 2nd Arkansas Infantry[9] Arkansas
78th Infantry Brigade 155th Infantry Regiment 1st Mississippi Infantry, attachments from Companies F and H, 2nd Mississippi Infantry[8] Mississippi
156th Infantry Regiment 1st Louisiana Infantry, less companies G, H, I, K, L, and M[8] Louisiana
142nd Machine Gun Battalion Companies H and L, 1st Louisiana Infantry[10] Louisiana
64th Field Artillery Brigade 140th Field Artillery Regiment (75 mm) 1st Mississippi Field Artillery[11] Mississippi
141st Field Artillery Regiment (75 mm) 1st Louisiana Field Artillery, less 2 officers and 120 men[11] Louisiana
142nd Field Artillery Regiment (155 mm) 2nd Arkansas Infantry, Minus Machine Gun Company[11][12] Arkansas
114th Trench Mortar Battery 2 Officers and 120 Men, 1st Louisiana Field Artillery[13] Louisiana
Divisional Troops 140th Machine Gun Battalion Machine Gun Troop, 2nd Separate Squadron, Mississippi Cavalry, 3rd Battalion and Companies G and Machine Gun Company, 2nd Mississippi Infantry[10] Mississippi
114th Engineer Regiment Company A, Mississippi Engineers, one third enlisted men from Companies G, I, and M, 1st Louisiana Infantry, Band and one half enlisted men from Company E, 2nd Mississippi Infantry[14] Mississippi, Louisiana
114th Field Signal Battalion One half enlisted men from Company K, 1st Louisiana Infantry, one half enlisted men from Company K, 1st Louisiana Infantry[15] Mississippi, Louisiana
114th Train Headquarters and Military Police Headquarters and Headquarters Company (less Band), Supply Company, Part of companies F and H, 2nd Mississippi Infantry, and one half the enlisted men from the 1st Louisiana Infantry[16] Mississippi, Louisiana
114th Ammunition Train 1st Arkansas Ammunition Train, minus 257 men. 1st Mississippi Field Hospital, 1st Louisiana Field Hospital,[9] 1st Separate Squadron (Less Machine Gun Troop), plus 193 men from 2nd Separate Squadron, Mississippi Cavalry. 1st Mississippi Field Hospital, 1st Louisiana Field Hospital[17] Arkansas, Mississippi
114th Supply Train 2nd Squadron, Mississippi Cavalry, Minus 193 Men, Plus 257 men from the 1st Arkansas Ammunition Train[18] Arkansas, Mississippi
114th Engineer Train Transfers from the 114th Engineers and Draftees[19] Mississippi
114th Sanitary Train (Ambulance Companies & Field Hospitals 153, 154, 155, 156) 1st Arkansas Ambulance Company and the 1st Arkansas Field Hospital,[20][21] 1st Mississippi Field Hospital, 1st Louisiana Field Hospital[20] Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana

Sickness was a problem for the National Guard troops while at Camp Beauregard. In the later part of October 1917, measles kept the men from drilling.[22] In January 1918, the National Guard Reserve was transferred to the active list.[23] In the same month, the town of Alexandria was placed off limits, and soldiers could not visit other regiments because of an outbreak of meningitis.[24] The off-limits order lasted until 6 March 1918. The soldiers were instructed in the use of deadly gases and then exposed to tear gas, which complicated the health concerns.[25] The soldiers complained about the bugs and were anxious to go to France. By March 1918, the soldiers had received new Enfield rifles.[26] Camp Beauregard was struck with Spanish influenza in early October 1918, which led to lobar pneumonia in many patients. All available facilities were used when the hospitals became overcrowded.[27] The 39th Division was brought up to strength with the addition of soldiers from Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky.[28]

The entire 39th Division passed in review for the governors of Mississippi and Louisiana in April.[29]

Deployed to France

142nd Field Artillery Regimental Band, in France, 1918

The army units already engaged in theater were suffering from a personnel shortage. The army had no system for providing replacement soldiers for unit losses. In May 1918, the army offered privates the opportunity to volunteer for duty overseas by agreeing to transfer out of the 39th Division. In the rush to help end the war, officers resigned their commissions so they would qualify for duty overseas before the war was over.[30] Shortly thereafter, Private Robert Springer was the first state guardsman to lose his life in France.[31] Approximately 20 percent of the soldiers of the 39th Division were allowed to volunteer to deploy as individual replacements. In June 1918 the individual replacements arrived in France. The officers remained at Camp Beauregard with the other 80 per cent that were still in training.[32] At Camp Beauregard the division was brought to full strength by the arrival of troops from Camp Zachary Taylor (men from the states of Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky).[33]

It took 12 months for the entire 39th Division organization to reach France, where it remained for three months, before the war ended.[34] At the time of its departure from the United States, the 39th Division was composed of 22 percent Arkansas National Guard, 40 per cent National Army draftees, and 10 per cent shortage from authorized strength.[35]

The 39th Division, less its artillery units, left Camp Beauregard on 1 August, and sailed for overseas service on 6 August 1918.[36] The first unit of the 39th Division arrived in France on 12 August, and the last unit arrived on 12 September.

Designation as depot division

The 39th Division was designated as the Fifth Depot Division on 14 August 1918, and moved to Charost and Mehun-sur-Yeure Area southwest of Bourges. The greatest American involvement in World War I, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, began on 26 September. The divisions were so depleted after one week of combat that General John "Blackjack" Pershing, commanding the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) on the Western Front, ordered personnel from the 84th and 86th Divisions, which had just arrived in France, to be used as replacements.[37] The arrangement was supposed to be temporary, and at first only men from infantry and machine gun units served as replacements. Eventually all divisional personnel were taken, except for one enlisted man per company and one officer per regiment who maintained unit records. The manpower shortage persisted. The 31st, 34th, and 38th Divisions were stripped of their personnel and their men used as replacements. The high casualty rate took a toll on all combat units, and Pershing slashed the authorized strength of infantry and machine gun companies from 250 to 175 enlisted men, thereby temporarily reducing each division by 4,000 men.[38]

The units of the 39th Division, for the most part, were training cadres whose duties were to receive, train, equip, and forward replacements of both officers and men for the infantry units and machine gun units, and for ammunition and supply trains. On 29 October 1918, the 39th Division received orders that they were to be attached to the 1st Depot Division at St-Aignan-Noyers and Loir-et-Cher.[39]

While scrambling for personnel, Pershing reorganized the replacement system, and tried to improve its responsiveness to the flexible army corps and army organizations. Pershing ordered the 40th and 85th Divisions to serve as regional replacement depots for the First and Second Armies, respectively, and the 41st and 83rd as depot divisions in the Services of Supply. Eventually, the 39th and 76th Divisions were stripped of their personnel. The replacement system remained unsatisfactory to the end of the war.[40]

Some units remained intact

In November 1918, the 39th Division moved to St. Aignan, where several of the units were transferred to combat divisions.[41]

The 64th Field Artillery Brigade remained intact and was designated as corps artillery.[42]

The 114th Engineers, 39th Division, were transferred to the I Army Corps in France. The 114th Engineers laid railroad tracks and built bridges for the I Army Corps during the Meuse-Argonne drive.[43]

Some of the division's machine gun battalions began training for a new role when they were re-designated as Anti Aircraft Machine Gun Battalions. They were still in training at the time the armistice was signed.[44]

Demobilization

Most former guardsmen began returning to the United States during January and February 1919. The division returned to the United States for demobilization between 30 November 1919, and 1 May 1919. The division demobilized the following month at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.[45] With the war ended, the 153rd Infantry landed in Hoboken, New Jersey, 27 February 1919, making the crossing aboard the USS President Grant.[46]

On 12 April 1919, the transport SS Kaiserin Auguste Victoria brought the 64th Field Artillery Brigade and the 141st Machine Gun Battalion of the 39th Division to New York.[47] The headquarters, ordnance, and medical detachments, and some companies of the 114th Engineers, 39th Division were transported to Newport News, Virginia, on the battleship USS Nebraska.[48]

The 142nd stayed in France to conduct tests and exercises to develop techniques for motorized artillery battalions and won a commendation for efficient performance. In March 1919, the 1st Battalion, 142nd Artillery, 39th Division was acting as a school battalion for the entire artillery forces of the American Expeditionary Forces with their headquarters at Valdahon, France.[49] In May 1919, word reached Little Rock that the 142nd Field Artillery Battalion (old 2nd Arkansas) was doing convoy duty with the Army of Occupation and a segment was still firing for the Artillery School at Camp Valdahon.[50] It was not until early June when the 142nd Field Artillery left France on the transport USS Amphion. They arrived 15 June 1919, at Newport News, Virginia.[51] On the train trip to Little Rock the 142nd Field Artillery marched in a parade in Atlanta. On 21 June 1919, the group arrived at Camp Pike. On the following day the 142nd Field Artillery was featured in a big parade in Little Rock and then treated to a big show and picnic in the park.[52]

The last group of Guardsmen to return to the United States for discharge was the 114th Sanitary Train (formerly the 1st Arkansas Ambulance Company and the 1st Arkansas Field Hospital), Seventh Army Corps. The 114th Sanitary Train had been stationed for six months at Wittlick, Germany, before being transferred back to the United States.[53]

Unauthorized World War I patch

Unauthorized World War 1 39th "Delta" Division shoulder sleeve insignia

The 39th Division had been organized from National Guard units from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and had adopted the name "Delta Division" since they were from the delta region of the Mississippi River. After being assigned as a depot division and eventually skeletonized, nothing had been done to adopt a shoulder patch until January 1919, when the 64th Field Artillery Brigade proposed a design for the division's insignia. The 64th had remained intact and had been reassigned as a Corps Artillery unit. The brigade commander, Brigadier General Ira A. Haynes, was the senior officer of what remained of the 39th Division. Haynes attempted to consult with the former division commander, Brigadier General H.C. Hodges, but Hodges had been reassigned to Scholfield Barracks in Hawaii. Haynes issued General Order #1, 64th Field Artillery Brigade, on 18 January 1819, which described the insignia and authorized its wear by remaining division personnel. The design was submitted to American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) for approval, but was rejected on the grounds than it only applied to the 64th Field Artillery Brigade (brigades were not authorized to have separate patches) and that the design was too similar to the 3rd Army patch. Haynes applied for reconsideration and, this time, was able to gain the support of Hodges. In his request for reconsideration, Haynes wrote, "The States of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi have long been known as the Delta States. The 39th Division was known to ourselves at least as the Delta Division and our baggage was marked in that way. We take pride in Honoring the State of our origin..." The U.S. Army Adjutant General did not approve the patch, and told Hodges that it would be retained on file, and if the 39th Division were ever activated again, it would be reconsidered. When the 39th Division was reorganized following World War II, a different design was adopted. Nevertheless, many soldiers of the old 39th Division returned home wearing the unauthorized patch.[42]

The World War I patch consisted of a dark blue disc bordered red having upon it a steel gray triangle (the Greek Delta symbol). The area within the triangle was divided into four equilateral triangles, with the lower left red, the top white, the lower right blue, and the central triangle the same dark blue as the disk. There are numerous variations of the World War I design, with the colors of the triangles transposed in various combinations. One common variant has three inner triangles instead of the prescribed four.[42]

Between the world wars

After the war, the division was reorganized by Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Louisiana. Because of the change of geographic area, the National Guard requested the division to be re-designated as the 31st Infantry Division. The re-designation was approved on 1 July 1923, and the 39th Division disappeared from the rolls until after World War II.[1]

Cold War

The 39th Infantry Division was reconstituted on 30 September 1946. It was composed of units from Arkansas (headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas) and Louisiana (headquartered at Jackson Barracks, New Orleans).[45] The division artillery commander, a brigadier general, was assigned to command the Arkansas portion of the division, while the division commander remained in Louisiana. During this period the division included the following combat arms units:[1]

153rd Infantry Regiment, Arkansas National Guard
156th Infantry Regiment, Louisiana National Guard
199th Infantry Regiment, Louisiana National Guard
Division Artillery (DIVARTY)
445th Field Artillery Battalion Arkansas National Guard
437th Field Artillery Battalion Arkansas National Guard
935th Field Artillery Battalion Louisiana National Guard[54]
141st Field Artillery Battalion Louisiana National Guard[54]
Armor Unit
206th Tank Battalion

Arkansas element stationing 1946–59

Elements of the 206th Heavy Tank Battalion pass in review during Annual Training 1950.
Elements of the 141st Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Polk Louisiana during Annual Training, 1950.
Elements of the 217th Engineer Battalion, during Annual Training, 1950.
Soldiers of the 39th Division Artillery conduct Survey Training during Annual Training, 1950.
Headquarters Company Station
39th Division Headquarters (Arkansas Part) Little Rock
153 Infantry Regiment HHC, 153rd IN Little Rock
Service Company Searcy
Tank Company Pine Bluff
Heavy Mortar Company DeQueen
Medical Company Little Rock
1st Battalion, 153 Infantry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Company Texarkana
Company A, 1–153 IN Hope
Company B, 1–153 IN Malvern
Company C, 1–153 IN Prescott
Company D, 1–153 IN Arkadelphia
2nd Battalion, 153 Infantry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Company Morrilton
Company E, 2-153 IN Clarksville
Company F, 2-153 IN Dardanelle
Company G, 2-153 IN Conway
Company H, 2-153 IN Russellville
3rd Battalion, 153 Infantry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Company Beebe
Company I, 3-153 IN Jonesboro
Company K, 3-153 IN Walnut Ridge
Company L, 3-153 IN Batesville
Company M, 3-153 IN Command Blytheville
445th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Marianna
Battery A, 445th FA Helena
Battery B, 445th FA Newport
Battery C, 445th FA Brinkley
Service Battery, 445th FA Wynne, Arkansas
437th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Hazen
Battery A, 437th FA Hot Springs
Battery B, 437th FA Newport
Battery C, 437th FA Dumas
Service Battery, 437th FA Brinkley
217th Engineer Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company Russellville
Company A, 217th EN Russellville
Company B, 217th EN Monticello
Company C, 217th EN Magnolia
Company D, 217th EN McGehee
Medical Detachment, 217th EN Russellville
206th Tank Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company El Dorado
Company A, 206th Tank BN Warren
Company B, 206th Tank BN Camden
Company C, 206th Tank BN Fordyce
Company D, 206th Tank BN Crossett
Medical Detachment, 206th Tank BN Fordyce
125th Medical Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company Little Rock
Clearing Company, 125th Med BN Little Rock
Ambulance Company, 125th Med BN Little Rock
739th Ordnance Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company Little Rock
Company A, 739th Ord BN Little Rock
Company B, 739th Ord BN Little Rock
39th Division Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Little Rock
39th Replacement Company Little Rock
39th Military Police Company Little Rock

Pentomic reorganization of 1959

In 1959, the division was reorganized, along with all other National Guard divisions, in accordance with the new Pentomic Division Concept. This concept attempted to provide a new divisional structure to fight on the atomic battlefield.

Regiments no longer tactical units

The reorganization resulted in the end of the regiment as a tactical unit. Traditionally, regiments were the basic branch element, especially for the infantry, and their long histories had produced deep traditions considered essential to unit esprit de corps. The new divisional structure, replacing infantry regiments with anonymous battle groups, threatened to destroy all of these traditions. Secretary of the Army Wilber M. Brucker settled the question on 24 January 1957 when he approved the Combat Arms Regimental System.[55] Although regiments (armored cavalry notwithstanding) would no longer exist as tactical units, certain distinguished regiments were to become "parent" organizations for the combat arms. Under the new concept, the Department of the Army assumed control of regimental headquarters – the repository for a unit's lineage, honors, and traditions – and used elements of the regiments to organize battle groups, battalions, squadrons, companies, batteries, and troops, which shared in the history and honors of their parent units.[56][57]

Re-designation of infantry units

In place of the regiment or brigade, the new pentomic infantry division fielded five battle groups, each containing 1,356 soldiers.[55]

The 156th Infantry and 199th Infantry (less 3d Battalion) consolidated 1 July 1959 and the consolidated unit was reorganized as the 156th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battle Groups, elements of the 39th Infantry Division.[58]
The 153rd Infantry was reorganized 1 June 1959 as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st, and 2nd, Battle Groups, elements of the 39th Infantry Division.[59]

Re-organization and re-designation of artillery units

As a part of the reorganization of 1959 and the shift to the Combat Army Regimental System, the artillery units assigned to the Division were re-designated to their historical artillery regiments:

The 445th Field Artillery Battalion, Arkansas National Guard, was re-designated as the 1st Battalion, 206th Artillery, and was organized as a composite battalion with one battery of 105  mm towed howitzers and one battery of 155 mm towed howitzers.
The 437th Field Artillery Battalion, Arkansas National Guard, was re-designated as the 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery[57] and was organized as a composite battalion with one battery of 105  mm towed howitzers and one battery of 155 mm towed howitzers.
The 935th Field Artillery Battalion, Louisiana National Guard, was consolidated with the 141st Field Artillery Battalion and the consolidated unit was re-designated as the 1st Battalion, 141st Artillery.[60] The new battalion was organized as a composite battalion with one battery of 105  mm towed howitzers and one battery of 155 mm towed howitzers.
A new battalion was created in the Arkansas National Guard from existing units, 3rd Battalion, 206th Artillery was a composite unit with one 8-inch howitzer battery and one MGR-1 Honest John rocket battery.

Reorganization of 1963

By 1963 the army again changed the basic design for a division. The battle groups of the pentomic division had proved to be unwieldy, and it was felt that their span of control was not sufficient to handle all of the various units and troops assigned to their command.[61] The army reverted to the infantry battalion as the basic building block and provided for additional command and control by providing a brigade headquarters. The 1st and 2nd Brigade, 39th Division were allocated to the Louisiana National Guard, while the 3rd Brigade was allocated to the Arkansas National Guard.[62]

Infantry

The 153rd Infantry was reorganized to consist of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions.[59]

The 156th Infantry was reorganized to consist of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions.[59]

Artillery

The 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery was deactivated and the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery was added to the 39th Division Artillery. The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery had previously been under the command and control of the 142nd Field Artillery Group.[63]

The 3rd Battalion, 206th Field Artillery was reduced to one Honest John Rocket Battery, Battery A.

Armor

The 206th Armor was expanded to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor Regiment.[59]

Little Rock Central High School integration crisis

Main article: Arkansas National Guard and the Integration of Central High School

The Arkansas portion of the 39th Infantry Division were ordered into active federal service on 24 September 1957 at home stations, in support of the Little Rock Central High School integration crisis in Little Rock Arkansas. The 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 153rd Infantry Regiment were mobilized at Camp Robinson for duty at Central High School. Task Force 153rd Infantry remained on duty at Central High School for the remainder of the 1957–1958 school year.[64] The task force was constantly mentioned in daily situation report for President Eisenhower.[65] The 39th was released on 24 October 1957 from active federal service and reverted to state control.[66]

Reorganization and re-designation as 39th Infantry Brigade

During the 1960s, the Department of Defense continued to scrutinize the reserve forces. It questioned the number of divisions and brigades, as well as the redundancy of maintaining two reserve components, the National Guard and the Army Reserve. In 1967, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara decided that 15 combat divisions in the Army National Guard were unnecessary. He cut the number to eight divisions (one mechanized infantry, two armored, and five infantry), but increased the number of brigades from seven to 18 (one airborne, one armored, two mechanized infantry, and 14 infantry). The loss of the divisions did not set well with the states. Their objections included the inadequate maneuver element mix for those that remained and the end to the practice of rotating divisional commands among the states that supported them. Under the proposal, the remaining division commanders were to reside in the state of the division base. No reduction, however, in total Army National Guard strength was to take place, which convinced the governors to accept the plan.[67] The states reorganized their forces accordingly between 1 December 1967 and 1 May 1968.[68]

On 1 December 1967, the Arkansas portion of the 39th Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 39th Infantry Brigade.[69] The new 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was composed of elements of the following units:[70]

The division's units from Louisiana were reassigned to the newly created 256th Infantry Brigade.[58] The 256th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was composed of the following units:

Current unit

The 39th Division is currently known as the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States), of the Arkansas Army National Guard, headquartered at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas.[70]

Commanding officers

Major General Henry C. Hodges, Jr. 1917–1919[71]
Brigadier General Ira A. Haynes (temporary ad interim) 1919
Major General Raymond H. Fleming 1946–1951
Major General Joseph A. Redding 1951–1957
BG John B. Webb 1957–1958
MG George W. Trousdale 1958–1963
MG Lincoln M Cummings 1963–1967[70]

References

  1. ^ a b c The 39th Infantry Division 1950 / Louisiana National Guard. Jackson Barracks, New Orleans : Military Dept., State of Louisiana, Office of the Adjutant General, 1950
  2. ^ McGrath, John J. (2004). The Brigade: A History: Its Organization and Employment in the US Army. Combat Studies Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-4404-4915-4. p.170.
  3. ^ "Arkansas Guards Assigned to Alexandria Camp for Training," Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 18 July 1917, p.1.
  4. ^ "Cantonment Here to be Named Camp Pike after Brig. Gen. Pike," Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 16 July 1917, p.4.
  5. ^ "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, World War I". Archived from the original on 6 May 2003. Retrieved 14 December 2015. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ The Digital Bookshelf, American Expeditionary Forces, 39th "Delta" Division, www.thedigitalbookshelf.us/division_39.htm, See Also, Wyllie, Col. Robert E. "The Romance of Military Insignia." The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 6. December 1919.
  7. ^ War Department (1919). Report of the Chief of the Militia Bureau. Annual Report of the Secretary of War. United States Government Printing Office. p. 1176, Table 1. Retrieved 17 September 2012. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  8. ^ a b c d War Department (1919), p. 1178, Table 2.
  9. ^ a b War Department (1919), p. 1184, Table 14.
  10. ^ a b War Department (1919), p. 1180, Table 4.
  11. ^ a b c War Department (1919), p. 1179, Table 3.
  12. ^ "Shakeup Is Being Made in Arkansas Guard Regiments," Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 31 October 1917, p.1.
  13. ^ War Department (1919), p. 1181, Table 5.
  14. ^ War Department (1919), p. 1181, Table 6.
  15. ^ War Department (1919), p. 1182, Table 7.
  16. ^ War Department (1919), p. 1182, Table 8.
  17. ^ War Department (1919), p. 1182, Table 14.
  18. ^ War Department (1919), p. 1183, Table 10.
  19. ^ War Department (1919), p. 1183, Table 11.
  20. ^ a b War Department (1919), p. 1184, Table 12.
  21. ^ "2nd Arkansas to be Artillery," Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 1 October 1917, p. 1; and D. T. Herndon, The High Lights of Arkansas History (Little Rock, Arkansas: The Arkansas History Commission, 1922), p. 170.
  22. ^ "Arkansas Troops Under Quarantine," Arkansas Democrat (Evening Edition), 23 October 1917, p.1.
  23. ^ Arkansas Adjutant-General, "Special Order Number 1: 5 January 1918" (Microfilm reel Number 4 of unpublished Arkansas Military Department Records on file in Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas).
  24. ^ "Soldiers Cannot Visit Alexandria," Arkansas Gazette, 4 January 1918, p.5.
  25. ^ "Camp Beauregard Shy of Colonels," Arkansas Gazette, 6 January 1918, p.2.
  26. ^ "Soldiers Now May Visit Alexandria," Arkansas Gazette, 6 March 1918, p.1.
  27. ^ "Beauregard Has Many 'Flu' Cases," Arkansas Gazette, 8 October 1918, p.2.
  28. ^ "Many Promoted at Camp Beauregard," Arkansas Gazette, 29 June 1918, p. 8.
  29. ^ "39th Division Ready to Fight," Arkansas Gazette, 9 April 1918, p.1.
  30. ^ "Few Arkansas Remain in Camp," Arkansas Gazette, 15 May 1918, p.8.
  31. ^ "Member of 3rd Arkansas Killed," Arkansas Gazette, 29 June 1918, p.8.
  32. ^ "Arkansas Troops Arrive in France," Arkansas Gazette, 25 June 1918, p.1.
  33. ^ "Many Promoted at Camp Beauregard," Arkansas Gazette, 29 June 1918, p.8.
  34. ^ Leonard P. Ayres, The War with Germany: A Statistical Summary (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1917), pp.33 and 102.
  35. ^ Leonard P. Ayres, The War with Germany: A Statistical Summary (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1917), page 27.
  36. ^ "The Arkansas National Guard Museum, World War I". Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2010. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ Coffman, The War To End All Wars, pp.81–84.
  38. ^ "Final Report" and "Report of Assistant Cold, G-1, G.H.Q., A.E.F., printed in Reports of CINC, pp. 55, 147–52; Maurice Matloff, ed., American Military History (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1969), p.401.
  39. ^ Cameron, M.E., Recent American History, White River Valley Historical Quarterly, Volume 5, Number 5, Fall 1974, page 13
  40. ^ "Report of Assistant CofS, G-1, G.H.Q., A.E.F.," printed in Reports of CINC, pp.147–52.
  41. ^ "Military History of the Arkansas National Guard," p.21, (Microfilm reel Number 4 of unpublished Arkansas Military Department Records on file in Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas).
  42. ^ a b c Goodman, W.E., The 39th Division Struggles in Vain for a World War I Patch, Trading Post, October–December 1979
  43. ^ "Arkansas Troops Land from Brest," Arkansas Gazette, 3 May 1919. p.3.
  44. ^ Garrett, Major Charles S., The Arkansas Coast Artillery National Guard, Journal of the United States Field Artillery, 1922, Volume 56, Number 1, p.69.
  45. ^ a b Listman, John. "39th Infantry Division". National Guard Division Histories. National Guard Educational Foundation. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ "Arkansas Guard Officers Return," Arkansas Gazette, 27 February 1919, p.5.
  47. ^ "More Men of the 39th Start Home," Arkansas Gazette, 12 April 1919, p.9.
  48. ^ "Arkansas Men Coming, Arkansas Gazette, 24 April 1919, p.1.
  49. ^ "142 D Artillery Has Been Ordered Home," Arkansas Gazette, 31 March 1919, p.3.
  50. ^ "142 0 F.A. Not to Leave Before June," Arkansas Gazette, 14 May 1919, p.3.
  51. ^ "2nd Arkansas Arrive on Amphion," Arkansas Gazette, 16 June 1919, p.10.
  52. ^ 400 Arkansas Boys Receive Discharge," Arkansas Gazette, 14 January 1919, P. 3.
  53. ^ "114th Sanitary Train Gets Back," Arkansas Gazette, 9 July 1919, p.3.
  54. ^ a b 1/141st Field Artillery, History. Retrieved 16 August 2010, http://www.la.ngb.army.mil/1-141/history.htm
  55. ^ a b Wilson, John B. The Search for Atomic Age Division, Maneuver and Firepower, the Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, Chart 32, page 383. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 April 2008. Retrieved 2016-04-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  56. ^ Memo, Sec of Army for Sec of Defense, 31 January 57, sub: Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS), and Fact Sheet, undated, sub: Combat Arms Regimental System, both CARS files, and News Release, Historic Traditions of Regiments to be Preserved in Pentomic Army, 7 February 57, Division General file, all DAMH-HSO.
  57. ^ a b Lineage and Honor Certificate for the 5th Battalion, 206th Field Artillery
  58. ^ a b Lineage and Honors Certificate, 156th Infantry Regiment
  59. ^ a b c d Lineage and Honors Certificate, 153rd Infantry Regiment
  60. ^ Lineage and Honor Certificate for the 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery
  61. ^ Wilson, John B. Maneuver and Firepower, The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, p.297. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  62. ^ Smith, Harry (1962). Arkansas Army and Air National Guard: A History and Record of Events, 1820–1962. Arkansas Military Department. p.86.
  63. ^ Mckenney, Janice E., Field Artillery, Part 2, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington D.C., 2010, page 1165.
  64. ^ McGlasson, MAJ W.D. The Forgotten Story of Little Rock, The Arkansas Military Journal, Arkansas National Guard Historical Foundation, Vol 6, Number 3, Page 36
  65. ^ Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations (17 December 1957). "Situation Report No. 176" (PDF). Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  66. ^ Lineage and Honors Certificate, 39th Brigade Combat Team
  67. ^ DA, Why Merge (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1965); Ltr, TAG to CinC, USAREUR, and other addresses, 14 June 67, sub: Reserve Component Reorganization, AGAM-P (M) (13 June 67) ORC-OPT-OP, Ltr, TAG to CinC, USAREUR, and other addresses, 20 July 67, same subject, AGAM-P (M) (20 July 67) ORC-OPT-OP, and News Release, 27 November 67, Anny Reserve Components Will Commence Reorganization, all Army Reserve file, DAMHHSO; "The President Reports to the 89th General Conference," National Guardsman, 21 (Oct 1967): inside front cover and pp. 36–39; "Division Command Rotation Plan Set Aside," National Guardsman, 22 (Mar 1968): 16; James F. Cantwell, "A Salute to the Lost' Divisions," National Guardsman, 22 (Feb 1968):
  68. ^ Wilson, John B., Maneuver and Firepower, the Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, Army Lineage Series, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D. C., 1998, CMH Pub 60-14, Chart 30, p.340. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 April 2008. Retrieved 2016-04-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  69. ^ "39th (Separate/Enhanced) Infantry Brigade – Lineage/DateLine". First-team.us. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  70. ^ a b c Historical Annual, The Arkansas Brigade, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard, 1971, page 148
  71. ^ Historical Annual, The Arkansas Brigade, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard, 1971, page 147
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