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45th Infantry Division
The 45th Infantry Division traces its roots to the 1800s. The current division insignia is a golden thunderbird on a red square. The thunderbird is a symbol of the Southwestern Indians. The Spanish colors, red and gold, indicate that the four States of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma represented by National Guard units in the division were settled by the Spaniards.
World War II
In World War II, following stateside training at Camp Barkley, Fort Sill, Camp Devens, the 45th Infantry Division landed in Sicily on 10 July 1943. They worked their way up the East coast in their quest to reach Messina.
Following Sicily the division landed at Salerno and Anzio, taking place in the retaking of Italy.
In August of 1944, the 45th Division, again involved in an assault landing, crashed the beaches in southern France. By the end of September they crossed the Moselle River and entered the western slopes of the Vosges Mountains. Pushing on they broke through the Maginot Line and came to the Moder River.
In March of 1945 they penetrated the Siegfried Line and captured Homburg. The 45th then crossed the Rhine. They captured Nuremburg in late April. In the last days of April and early May they crossed the Danube River, capturing Munich where they remained when World War II Europe ended in May of 1945.

 | Nickname(s): Thunderbird
Motto: "Semper Anticus" which is
Latin for "Always Forward". |

45th Infantry Division in Western Europe
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45th Infantry Division DVDs
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45th Infantry Division Liberation of Western Europe
$19.99
DVD Details |
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45th Division WWII Campaigns
Sicily (with arrowhead)
Anzio (with arrowhead)
Rome-Arno
Southern France
Rhineland
Central Europe
45th Division WWII Units
157th Infantry
179th Infantry
180th Infantry
45th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
120th Engineer Combat Battalion
120th Medical Battalion
158th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
160th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
171st Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
189th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
700th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
45th Quartermaster Company
45th Signal Company
Military Police Platoon
Headquarters Company
Band
Commanders
Maj. Gen. William W. Eagles
Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederick
Combat Reels salutes the veterans of the 45th Infantry Division of World War II and their valuable contribution to U.S. military history.
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