9th Div. 50th Anniversary Fort Jackson Return

The 9th Infantry Division   The Octofoil The OCTOFOIL is a device that dates back to the 15th Century when it was customary for each son to have an individual mark of distinction. Under the rules of heraldry there are eight foils or positions. Heraldic rules gave the OCTOFOIL to the ninth son, a device symbolic of his being surrounded by eight brothers. The 9th Infantry Division insignia is a red and blue octofoil;  a design of eight petals with a white center.  Red and blue designate colors of an infantry division headquarters flag;  white is for the numbers used in divisional flags. The circular background is olive drab. The subdued variant consists of olive drab and black for less visibility to be worn on field uniforms.     The Division's Distinctive Unit Insignia The red crescent is for the Tunisian campaign; the nine rays of the sun denote the unit's numerical designation and also refers to the campaign in Sicily; the gold disk in center is for Central Europe, and the fleur-de-lis thereon represents service in Northern France. The insignia is enamel on metal and 1 1/8" in height. This insignia would be worn by those division elements that did not have their own "colors" or insignia. To increase pride and esprit de corps, The Institute of Heraldry began, in 1929, to design Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI or DI) to be worn by the officers and men of selected units. The metallic and enameled DUI was designed based on the unit's nature, missions, accomplishments, and lineage. Prior to 1929, many Regular Army units had already designed coats of arms to represent their history and accomplishments. The Institute of Heraldry usually incorporated these designs into the new DUI. DUIs are often called "crests" although a crest is technically a part of a heraldic coat of arms. Unit commanders must request to have Distinctive Unit Insignias authorized and designed  by The Institute of Heraldry.   The Lineage Constituted 8 July 1918 in the Regular Army as Headquarters 9th Division. Organized 18 July 1918 at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. Disbanded 15 February 1919 at Camp Sheridan, Alabama. Reconstituted 24 March 1923 in the Regular Army as Headquarters, 9th Division. Activated 1 August 1940 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Reorganized and re-designated 1 August 1942 as Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division. Inactivated 15 January 1947 in Germany. Activated 15 July 1947 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Inactivated 31 January 1962 at Fort Carson, Colorado. Re-designated 1 February 1966 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 9th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Riley, Kansas. Inactivated 25 September 1969 in Hawaii. Activated 21 April 1972 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Inactivated 15 December 1991 at Fort Lewis, Washington.   The Campaigns   WORLD WAR II VIETNAM Algeria-French Morocco Tunisia Sicily Normandy Northern France Ardennes-Alsace Rhineland Central Europe Defense Counteroffensive Phase II Counteroffensive Phase III Tet Counteroffensive Counteroffensive Phase IV Counteroffensive Phase V Counteroffensive Phase VI Tet 1969 Counteroffensive Summer-Fall 1969   The Honors Belgian Fourragere   Cited in the Order of the day of the Belgian Army for action at the  MEUSE RIVER   Cited in the Order of the day of the Belgian Army for action in the ARDENNES   Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966-1968   Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969   Republic of Vietnam Civic Action Award with Palm VIETNAM 1969        9thinfantrydivision.org http://9thinfantrydivision.bravepages.com/ webmaster@9thinfantrydivision.org Copywrite 2002-2003 Curtis Hatterman