Legacy
Several people who served in the division gained notability during and after their time in the division. In World War I, PFC Joseph William Guyton (1889–1918), became the first American killed on German-held territory, earning him the French Croix de guerre. During World War II, notable members of the division included Captain Herman Bottcher, winner of two Distinguished Service Cross Medals, Captain William "Bill" Walter Kouts and Private John Rawls winner of a Bronze Star who later became a political philosopher.
Additionally, eleven men were awarded the Medal of Honor while serving with the division, all for action during World War II. They include PFC Thomas E. Atkins, Private Donald R. Lobaugh, PFC David M. Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas, PFC Dirk J. Vlug, Staff Sergeant Gerald L. Endl, Sergeant Kenneth E. Gruennert, First Sergeant Elmer J. Burr, Sergeant Leroy Johnson, PFC William A. McWhorter, and PFC William R. Shockley.
For its efforts in World War II, the division has been honored and memorialized by communities throughout the United States and Philippines for its actions. Some of these memorials include:
- The 32nd Division March song, written by Theodore Steinmetz, is still played by marching bands to this day.
- Wisconsin Highway 32, as well as a portion of former U.S. Route 12 in Michigan, are named in honor of the 32nd Infantry Division, and all Highway 32 shields carry the Red Arrow insignia. A memorial plaque describing the division is located at southern end of WI-32 on Sheridan Road in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Ceremonies were held along the route and included veterans of the Grand Rapids Guard, which had been part of the Thirty-second Division during both world wars.
- The Lowell High School in Lowell, Michigan, was nicknamed the Red Arrows in honor of the 32nd Infantry Division shortly after their return.
- A memorial to the Red Arrow Division was built in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, Philippines. It is inscribed, "Erected by the officers and men of the 32d Infantry Division United States Army in memory of their gallant comrades who were killed along the Villa Verde Trail 30 January 1945 – 28 May 1945".
- The Red Arrow Elementary School in Hartford, Michigan is named for the Division
- The Red Arrow High School in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, Philippines was named in honor of the division
- Milwaukee built the Red Arrow Park dedicated to the men of the 32nd Red Arrow Division who came from Wisconsin following World War I. When Interstate 43 was built over the site, the park was relocated to a site just north of Milwaukee City Hall at E. State Street and N. Water Street. On 11 November 1984, the city dedicated a red granite at the park. The base of the monument is inscribed 32nd Red Arrow Division "Les Terribles".
- The Red Arrow Park in Menominee, Michigan was built in memory of the 32nd Division.
- The Red Arrow Park in Kenosha, Wisconsin was dedicated to the division.
- A memorial to the Division was built in Arcadia, Wisconsin. It bears the inscription:
| “ | The 32nd Red Arrow Division was first formed in July 1917 at Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas of National Guard units from both Wisconsin and Michigan. Its 27,000 men arrived in Europe in January and February 1918. It was the first division to pierce the famed German Hindenburg line of defense. From a French general, then all French troops, it was given the fearsome name "Les Terribles." This is the division whose shoulder patch is the Red Arrow, shot through a line denoting that it pierced every battle line it ever faced. The 32nd division was inactivated and retired in 1967." | ” |
Read more about this topic: 32nd Infantry Division (United States)
Famous quotes containing the word legacy:
“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)