47th Infantry Division

• World War II Activation: The 47th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "Viking Division," was activated on February 10, 1941, as part of the Army National Guard, primarily including units from Minnesota and North Dakota. • Cold War Service: After World War II, the division was not deployed overseas but became an important part of the U.S. Army’s reserve forces during the early years of the Cold War. • Korean War Federalization: The 47th Infantry Division was federalized in 1951 during the Korean War, serving as a training and replacement unit at Camp Rucker, Alabama, rather than deploying to Korea. • Viking Heritage: The division was given the nickname "Viking Division" due to the large Scandinavian-American population in Minnesota and North Dakota, reflected in the unit's insignia featuring a Viking ship. • Annual Reforger Exercises: The division participated in NATO’s REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) exercises in the 1970s and 1980s, simulating rapid deployment to Europe in the event of a Soviet attack. • Disaster Response: In addition to its military missions, the 47th Infantry Division was often called up for state emergencies, such as flood relief and riot control in Minnesota and North Dakota. • Distinctive Insignia: The division’s shoulder sleeve insignia, a red shield with a gold Viking ship, is one of the most recognizable among U.S. Army divisions. • Deactivation and Legacy: The division was inactivated in 1991, with its lineage carried on by the 34th Infantry Division. Many of its units were reorganized into other National Guard formations. • Training Innovations: The 47th Infantry Division helped pioneer new training methods for National Guard units, including large-scale maneuvers and combined-arms exercises. • Commemorative Monuments: Memorials and markers dedicated to the 47th Infantry Division can be found in Minnesota and North Dakota, honoring the service of its soldiers over five decades.