32nd Infantry Division (United States) - World War II

World War II

History during World War II

  • Activated: 15 October 1940 (National Guard Division from Michigan and Wisconsin).
  • Campaigns:
    • New Guinea campaign
      • Battle of Buna-Gona (20 September 1942 – 22 43 January)
    • Western New Guinea campaign
      • Operation Cartwheel
        • Saidor (2 January 1944 – 29 April 1944)
        • Aitape (22 April 1944 – 25 August 1944)
        • Morotai (15 September 1944 – 10 November 1944)
    • Battle of Leyte
      • Leyte (16 November 1944 – 2 January 1945)
    • Battle of Luzon
      • Villa Verde Trail (30 January 1945 – 28 May 1945)
      • Mopping Up (29 May 1945 – 15 August 1945)
  • Distinguished Unit Citations: 14.
  • Casualties: KIA: 602; Died from wounds: 88: Died from other causes: 17; WIA: 1,680; Sick in action:7,268. Total casualties: 9,956
  • Awards: MH-11; Croix de guerre-1; DSC-157; DSM-1; SS-845; LM-49; SM-78 ; BSM-1,854; AM-98.
  • Commanders:
    • Maj. Gen. Irving A. Fish (October 1940 – March 1942)
    • Maj. Gen. Edwin F. Harding (March 1942–2 December 1942) (relieved of command)
    • Brig. Gen. Albert W. Waldron (3 December 1942 – 5 December 1942) (wounded in action)
    • Brig. Gen. Clovis E. Byers (5 December 1942 – 15 December 1942) (wounded in action)
    • Maj. Gen. Robert Eichelberger (15 December 1942 – February 1943)
    • Maj. Gen. William H. Gill (February 1943 to inactivation)
  • Inactivated: 28 February 1946 in Japan.

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