History of the 86th Infantry Division

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While some of those divisions which fought during Word Wars I and II have stayed in the public eye by remaining active army units, other divisions which also served in those wars were subsequently deactivated and their stories lost to all but those who helped write them. The 86^th Infantry Division, whose shoulder sleeve insignia was adopted by the 86^th USARCOM, is one of those deactivated units.

The 86^th Infantry Division, which played a vital role during WW I and actively took part in combat during WW II established a heritage which we can be proud to continue.

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WAR I}

The United States' declaration of war on Germany on April 6, 1917, was followed by a military expansion which was unprecedented in American history. As part of this rapid expansion was the construction of Camp Grant. It consisted of 1,400 building; 25 miles of sewer and 12 miles of hard road in the wheat fields south of Rockford, Illinois. Camp Grant was named for President Ulysses S Grant.

Thomas H Barry

1st Commander of World War I 86^th Blackhawk Infantry Division

The 86^th Infantry Division was activated on August 3, 1917, at Camp Grant, Illinois, under the command of Major General Thomas H. Barry.

Most of its original personnel were drawn from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Because Sac and Fox Indians, who also came from Illinois and Wisconsin, had followed the Sac and Fox Indians, who also came from Illinois and Wisconsin, had followed the Sac Leader MA-KA-TAI-ME-SHE-KIA-KIAK (Black Hawk) in resisting settlers along the upper Mississippi in the Black Hawk War of 1832, the 86^th was called the Black Hawk Division.

Initially the 86^th Infantry Division remained in the United States to perform a training mission and sent over 100,000 men to France as replacements.

Charles H Martin

2ndCommander of World War I 86^th Blackhawk Infantry Division

On September 8, 1918, the division, under the command of Major General Charles H. Martin, left for Liverpool, England. After a brief stop in England, the Blackhawks sailed to the French ports of LeHavre and Cherbourg.

Shortly after arriving in France, the 86^th was once again given the mission of providing replacements for the divisions which were already on line. By the middle of October it had become completely skeletonized. Although plans were made to bring the 86^th up to strength for later use, the Germans surrendered on November 11, 1918. The division was then reduced to a cadre. General Martin was sent to take command of the 92^nd Infantry Division.

The 86^th Infantry Division cadre, composed of only 17 Officers and 124 enlisted men, arrived back in the United States in January, 1919. The division was deactivated soon thereafter, at the place of activation - Camp Grant, Illinois.

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WAR II}

Although World War I had ended before the Blackhawks could take part in combat; such would not be the case in World War II. The 86^th Infantry Division was reactivated at Camp Howze, Texas, on December 15, 1942.

Alexander E Anderson

1st Commander of World War II 86^th Blackhawk Infantry Division

Alexander E. Anderson was born 23 November 1889 in New York City and enlisted in the National Guard in 1910. Promoted through the ranks, he rose in 1934 to command the regiment in which he had fought on the Western Front during World War I. In 1938 he was promoted to Brigadier General in the National Guard and commanded the 93d Brigade. At the outbreak of World War II he was appointed Major General and for a time commanded a division overseas. He became commander of the 86^th Infantry Division upon its activation 15 December 1942 and died 24 December 1942 at Gainesville, Tex.

Troop Ship named in his honor - General A. E. Anderson (AP-111)

History of AP - 111 - General A E Anderson

Harris M. Melasky

2nd Commander of World War II 86^th Blackhawk Infantry Division

On 10 January 1943, Brigadier General Harris M. Melasky, became the Division Commander. He was promoted to Major General on 6 February 1944. General Melasky was a native of Austin, Texas. He had graduated from West Point, as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry, in 1917. He served in France in 1918, participated in the American intervention in Russia in 1919. He also saw service in the Philippine Islands, China, the Panama Canal Zone, and numerous posts in the United States. He was also a graduate of the Command and General Staff School and the Army War College.

After Louisiana maneuvers in 1943, the 86^th trained at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, (near Alexandria) before transfer in September, 1944, to 3 camps in California - Camp Cooke (Near Lompoc - now Vandenberg Air Force Base), Camp San Luis Obispo and Camp Callen (near La Jolla) - to prepare for combat in the Pacific. During this period, in December 1944, the War Department decided that the 86^thDivision would be sent to Europe due to the serious situation which the Allied Forces found themselves in the Ardennes front in France. Consequently, in January, 1945, the 86^th Infantry Division made preparation for movement to the east coast for embarkation to Europe planned for February, 1945.

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