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76th Infantry

U.S. Army•19 members

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About this Unit

76th Infantry

U.S. Army

The 76th Infantry Division, known as the "Onaway Division," was first activated in August 1917 during World War I but did not see overseas combat before the Armistice. Reactivated for World War II, the division trained at Fort George G. Meade and landed in Europe in January 1945. The 76th participated in the final offensives across Germany, advancing through the Siegfried Line and capturing numerous towns until V-E Day. After the war, the division served occupation duties before being inactivated in late 1945.

About 76th Infantry

About this Unit

Historical Facts

Origins in World War I: The 76th Infantry Division was constituted in the National Army of the United States on August 5, 1917, and organized at Camp Devens, Massachusetts.
"Liberty Bell Division": The division earned the nickname "Liberty Bell Division" due to its shoulder patch, which features a representation of the Liberty Bell, symbolizing American freedom.
Limited Combat in WWI: During World War I, the 76th Division primarily served as a depot division in France, supplying replacements for other American units rather than engaging in major combat operations.
Reactivation for WWII: The division was reactivated in 1942 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and underwent extensive training before being deployed to Europe in late 1944.
Combat in the Ardennes: The 76th Infantry Division entered combat in January 1945, participating in the final stages of the Battle of the Bulge and advancing through the Siegfried Line into Germany.
Crossing the Rhine: The division was among the first to cross the Moselle River and later the Rhine River, playing a key role in the central European campaign that hastened the end of the war in Europe.
Capture of Key Cities: The 76th captured several German towns and cities, including Eisenach and Zwickau, and liberated thousands of prisoners from Nazi labor camps.
Postwar Deactivation: The division was inactivated in December 1945, following the end of World War II, but its lineage continues in modern Army Reserve units.
Notable Commanders: Major General William R. Schmidt led the division during its critical World War II operations, earning high praise for his leadership and tactics.
Memorable Motto: The division’s motto was “Onaway!”—a rallying cry derived from a Native American term meaning “Alert” or “Watch out!”

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76th Infantry

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About this Unit

76th Infantry

U.S. Army

Unit members

Colin Moreton

U.S. Army · 1963 - 1969

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Michael Scott

U.S. Army Veteran · 1982 - 1984

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Michael Pettit

U.S. Army · 1985 - 1989

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Craig Cole

U.S. Army · 1984 - 2007

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About 76th Infantry

About this Unit

Historical Facts

Origins in World War I: The 76th Infantry Division was constituted in the National Army of the United States on August 5, 1917, and organized at Camp Devens, Massachusetts.
"Liberty Bell Division": The division earned the nickname "Liberty Bell Division" due to its shoulder patch, which features a representation of the Liberty Bell, symbolizing American freedom.
Limited Combat in WWI: During World War I, the 76th Division primarily served as a depot division in France, supplying replacements for other American units rather than engaging in major combat operations.
Reactivation for WWII: The division was reactivated in 1942 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and underwent extensive training before being deployed to Europe in late 1944.
Combat in the Ardennes: The 76th Infantry Division entered combat in January 1945, participating in the final stages of the Battle of the Bulge and advancing through the Siegfried Line into Germany.
Crossing the Rhine: The division was among the first to cross the Moselle River and later the Rhine River, playing a key role in the central European campaign that hastened the end of the war in Europe.
Capture of Key Cities: The 76th captured several German towns and cities, including Eisenach and Zwickau, and liberated thousands of prisoners from Nazi labor camps.
Postwar Deactivation: The division was inactivated in December 1945, following the end of World War II, but its lineage continues in modern Army Reserve units.
Notable Commanders: Major General William R. Schmidt led the division during its critical World War II operations, earning high praise for his leadership and tactics.
Memorable Motto: The division’s motto was “Onaway!”—a rallying cry derived from a Native American term meaning “Alert” or “Watch out!”