26th Infantry Division, United States Army, World War I

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: World_War_I

See a grouping of profiles of members of the 26th Division in the Category:26th Infantry Division, United States Army, World War I

The division received the popular name of "Yankee Division." Its shoulder insignia is a blue monogram YD superimposed on a diamond of khaki. Organized August 22, 1917, in Boston, Mass. Units of this division were made up from the National Guard troops of the New England States (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Mass., Rhode Island, and Connecticut), together with a contingent of National Army troops from Camp Devens. The first units sailed for France, Sept. 7, 1917, and during Sept. And Oct., 1917, the division was transported to France, through both English and French ports. Division headquarters was established at Neufchateau, France, Oct. 31st. The division went into the line in the Chemin des Dames sector Feb. 6, 1918, was relieved from that sector March 18th, and moved to the La Reine sector northwest of Toul, entering the sector March 31st. The division left this sector June 28th and moved by rail to area east of Meaux. From July 5th to 18th, the division marched to support position behind line Torcy-Bois de Belleau-Vaux, northwest of Chateau-Thierry and took over the Pas Fini sector.

From July 18th to 25th it attacked, as a unit of the 1st Corps in the Aisne-Marne offensive (second Battle of the Marne), penetrating to a depth of seventeen kilometers. Was relieved July 25th and marched to an area in vicinity of La Ferte. It then moved by rail on Aug. 1st to 3d, to Chatillon training area. On Aug. 25th the division moved to area north of Bar-le-Duc and from there by marching to the Troyon sector where it entered the line. On Sept. 12th the division attacked in the St. Mihiel salient, penetrating as far as Vigneulles. On Oct. 8th, the division moved to consolidated vicinity of Vedun as army reserve. The division was engaged in operations north of Verdun from Oct. 18th to Nov. 11th. The division was relieved and proceeded to the eighth training area where headquarters was established at Montigny-le-Roi, Nov. 23d.

This division captured from the enemy the following: 61 officers; 3,087 men; 16 pieces of artillery; 132 machine guns and numerous supplies. The division made a total advance against resistance of thirty-seven kilometers; 14,411 replacements were furnished this division. Battle deaths, 2,168, wounded 13,000; Prisoners of war, 451. Distinguished Service Cross awards, 229.^[1]

The following National Guard units were absorbed in forming division: Maine: 2d Inf., 1st Regt. Heavy F.A., 1-13 Co., C.D.C. New Hampshire: 1st Inf. M.G. Troop Cav. Btry. A, F.A., Co. B, S.C.; Fld Hosp. Co. No. 1 to 4th Cos. C.A.C. Vermont: 1st Inf. Massachusetts: 2nd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th Inf.; Hqs. 2d Brig; 1st Sq. Cav.; 1st and 2nd Regts. F.A.; 1st Regt. Engrs.; Amb. Cos. 1 and 2; 1st F.S. Bn.; 1st to 12th Cos. C.A.C. Rhode Island: 1st Sept. Sq. Cav.; 1st Bn. F.A., Amb. Co. No.1 Connecticut: 1st and 2nd Inf.; 1st Sq. Cav.; Btrys. E and F, F.A.; Amb. Co., No. 1, Fld. Hosp. No. 1

Commanders:

• Brig. Gen. Peter E. Traub, Oct. 31 to Nov. 11, 1917
• Maj. Gen. Clarence R. Edwards, Nov. 11, 1917 to Oct. 24, 1918
• Brig. Gen. Frank E. Bamford, Oct. 24, 1918, and in command Nov. 11th

The 26th Infantry Division was assigned to:

• I Corps Feb 1918

For now, we are not anticipating creating categories for units smaller than the regiment, i.e. battalions, companies, platoons, so while you should note that in the biography section of the profile, add the profile to the regiment, which should be listed below.

Primary subordinate units were:

• Headquarters, 26th Division
• 51st Infantry Brigade
• 52nd Infantry Brigade
• 101st Infantry
• 51st Field Artillery Brigade
• 101st Machine Gun Battalion
• 101st Engineer Regiment
• 101st Field Signal Battalion
• Headquarters Troop, 26th Division
• 101st Train Headquarters and Military Police
  • 101st Ammunition Train
  • 101st Supply Train
  • 101st Engineer Train
  • 101st Sanitary Train
    • 101st Field Hospital and Ambulance Company
    • 102nd Field Hospital and Ambulance Company
    • 103rd Field Hospital and Ambulance Company
    • 104th Field Hospital and Ambulance Company

The following units composed the division: 51st and 52d Inf. Brigs.; 101st, 102d, 103d, 104th Regts. Inf.; 102d, 103d Machine Gun Bns.; 51st Arty. Brig., 101st, 102nd, 103d Arty. Regts.; 101st Trench Mortar Btry; 101st Div. Machine Gun Bn.; 101st Engr. Regt. And Train; 101st Fld. Sig. Bn., 101st Train Hqs., and M.P.; 101st Supply Train; 101st Amm. Train; 101st Sanitary Train.