45th Infantry History
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They were known as "The Thunderbirds" and "The Fighting Forty Fifth." Ernie Pyle wrote about them
as "Brave Men." General George Patton, Jr., said they were "...one of the best if not the best
division in the history of American arms." Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, commander of German
forces in Italy, said they were one of the two finest divisions his forces had faced.
He called them the "Falcon" division and desired to see their automatic artillery. These are but a few of the many tributes heaped upon the 45th Infantry Division, a unit that distinguished itself with glory in peace and two major wars, and is a part of Oklahoma that Sooners can point to with great pride. The Militia of the Territory of Oklahoma, later called the National Guard, preceded the 45th Infantry Division as citizen soldiers of Oklahoma. With a meager start in 1890 due to lack of equipment and funds, the citizen soldiers of the Territory of Oklahoma progressed until they were combat ready and saw service in the Spanish-American War in 1898, with five companies of infantry and three troops of cavalry. The cavalry troops became a part of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, better known as the "Rough Riders." These cavalry troops were engaged in two major battles in Cuba, one of which was the famous storming of San Juan Hill near Santiago, Cuba. In 1916, after statehood, the First Oklahoma Infantry Regiment, two Cavalry Troops, an Engineer Company and a Field Hospital, all from the Oklahoma National Guard, saw nearly a year’s duty in the Mexican Border Conflict when our country declared war on Mexico following Pancho Villa’s invasion of United States territory. After mustering out at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from service on the Mexican border, these soldiers enjoyed civilian life for only about a month until the First Oklahoma Infantry and other National Guard troops in Oklahoma were called in April, 1917, for Federal service in World War I. After training at Fort Sill from April until August, 1917, these forces were moved to Camp Bowie near Fort Worth, Texas, and with the Texas National Guard formed the 36th Infantry Division. After training in Texas and France, this division was in combat in World War I for over a month until the end of the war. Two Oklahoma National Guardsmen in the 36th received the Medal of Honor, our country’s highest decoration for gallantry and bravery at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. The 45th Infantry Division was organized as a National Guard division in 1923 with units stationed in Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The first division shoulder patch was the swastika, considered by Indians as a good luck symbol. In 1933 Adolf Hitler adopted the swastika, with only a slight upward tilt from the one worn by troops of the 45th, as the emblem of the infamous Nazi party. This caused the 45th Infantry Division to change its shoulder patch, and in 1939 it was changed to a bright yellow Thunderbird that resembled another Indian good luck sign on a red background. When war clouds rolled over Europe, the 45th Infantry Division, with three other National Guard divisions on September 16, 1940, were the first national guard divisions called into Federal service. The 45th remained on active duty for over five years, serving with great distinction during combat in Europe during World War II. During World War II, the division made four amphibious assault landing, the first in Sicily, followed by Salerno and Anzio in Italy, and Southern France. The Division engaged in eight campaigns, starting with the Sicilian Campaign and ending with the Central Europe Campaign in which the Division captured Nuremburg and Munich, Germany, Nazi strongholds. The division was in combat for 511 days and suffered 3,650 killed in action and 13,729 wounded in action. The division captured 103,367 enemy prisoners. It had eight Medal of Honor recipients and received high praise, not only from American commanders, but also from friendly nations and the Germans who faced them in combat. It became well known as one of the ourstanding divisions of the U.S. Army for its remarkable combat record. At the end of the war in Europe, the 45th Infantry Division was one of the first divisions returned to the United States from the European Theater. This movement was with the mission for the division to proceed to the Pacific Theater to participate in the invasion of Japan. When two atomic bombs were dropped in August, 1945, this mission changed, and the division was released from Federal service in late November, 1945. In 1946 the 45th Infantry Division was again organized as a national guard division. This time the entire division was located in Oklahoma. The 45th Infantry Division was again called for active Federal service on September 1, 1950, for the Korean Conflict which started on June 25, 1950. Once again the Thunderbirds, after intense training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, and Hokkaido, Japan, entered combat in the Korean War and fought in four campaigns with 429 days of combat until the armistice ended the war in July 1953. The division suffered 834 killed in action and four times that figure in wounded in action. One Thunderbird received the Medal of Honor. In 1954, the 45th Infantry division was deactivated from Federal service in the Korean War, and its colors were returned to the State of Oklahoma. In the meantime, as original members of the 45th Infantry Division rotated home from the Korean War in 1952, a separate 45th Infantry Division was organized, again entirely in Oklahoma. It was known as the 45th Infantry Division (NGUS) to distinguish it from the 45th Infantry Division still on active duty in the Korean War. With the return of the colors of the division, the (NGUS) was eliminated. In the years following this reorganization, the division underwent several restructurings in compliance with Department of the Army concepts. In 1968, the 45th Infantry Division as an organization was disbanded. It was one of several national guard divisions that underwent a structural change without a significant reduction of authorized troop strength. The division structure was replace by several separate organizations, such as the 45th Support Brigade, all wearing the Thunderbird and carrying on the Thunderbird traditions. The division did not receive a call for service in the Vietnam War. Interestingly, no national guard divisions were called for service in the war. The reverse was the situation in the Persian Guld War, when over 2,000 Oklahoma National Guard troops were called for Federal service. The 158th Field Artillery Battalion, with the powerful and new Multiple Launch Rocker System weapons, saw combat in this war and performed with distinction. To a degree unparalleled in the history of the citizen soldier, the 45th Infantry Division stands to this day as one of the finest organizations under professional arms - on either side - in World War II and in the Korean War. The history of the 45th Infantry Division is superb and is filled with honors and glory. The Thunderbirds of Oklahoma were "first in peace and first in war." One day their record as citizen soldiers may be equaled, but never surpassed. Back to top of page Back to the Main Page |