96th Infantry Division Heritage Fund

Preserving and honoring the history of our veterans and those who currently serve.
Men of the 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division advance with a M4 Sherman tank of the 763rd Tank Battalion through the initial Japanese outpost line on Okinawa, 4 April 1945.

about us

Welcome to the official website of the 96th Infantry Division. This site is sponsored by the 96th Infantry Division Heritage Fund (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization). We have developed this website to provide information about and for veterans of the United States Army 96th Infantry Division (Deadeyes), 96th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM), 96th Regional Support Command, 96th Regional Readiness Command, members and veterans of the 96th Sustainment Brigade (currently on duty at Fort Douglas, Utah, USA), and relatives and friends.

history and lineage of the 96th

The division was first organized on October 20, 1918, during the U.S. mobilization for World War I. Based at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, the 96th was commanded by Guy Carleton; it was one of the last divisions activated, and the war ended before it could be sent overseas, so it was demobilized on January 7, 1919.
The 96th Division was reconstituted in the U.S. Army Reserve, then called the Organized Reserve, on June 24, 1921. It was allotted to the states of Oregon and Washington.
The 96th Division was put back into the active U.S. Army on August 15, 1942, just eight months after the attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II.
As part of the reorganization of the U.S. Army divisions from "square" to "triangular," the two infantry brigade headquarters were converted to provide personnel for other units and the 380th Infantry Regiment was disbanded. The 192nd Infantry Brigade headquarters company was converted into the division's 96th Reconnaissance Troop, while the 191st Infantry Brigade headquarters formed the core of the division's headquarters company. After initial training at Camp White in southern Oregon, the 96th Infantry Division participated in the Oregon Maneuver combat exercise in the fall of 1943.
The 96th Infantry Division trained in the Hawaiian Islands, July to September, 1944, before entering combat in an assault landing in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, between Tanauan and Dulag, October 20, 1944. Enemy resistance in the beachhead area was quickly broken and the Division had advanced to and secured the Tanauan-Dagami-Tabontabon sector by November 9 after heavy fighting. The Division continued to wipe out resistance on the island, engaging in small unit actions, patrolling, probing, and wiping out pockets of Japanese. Chalk Ridge was taken, December 12, 1944, and major organized resistance was at an end by Christmas Day. The next 3 months were spent in mopping up, security duty, training, and loading for the coming invasion of Okinawa.
The Division left the Philippines, March 27, 1945, for Okinawa, making an assault landing on the island, April 1, 1945. The landing was unopposed and a beachhead was established near Sunabe, April 1–3. Resistance stiffened considerably as the Division advanced to Kakazu Ridge, where fighting was fierce, April 7–16. The 96th assaulted and cracked the fanatically defended enemy defense line, Tanabaru Nishibaru, April 17–23, and after advancing slightly against extremely determined resistance, was relieved, April 30, by the 77th Infantry Division. The Division trained and rested, May 1–9, while elements mopped up bypassed enemy pockets and then returned to the offensive, May 10, attacking and capturing Conical-Sugar Hill Ridge, May 21, thus breaking the right flank of the Shuri defenses. Heavy rains the following week slowed down the advance. The offensive was resumed, May 30, against weakening enemy resistance; Japanese north of Yonabaru-Shuri-Naha Road area were cleared out. Resistance stiffened again, June 3, and Laura Hill was taken, June 14, 1945, only after a bloody fight; the last important Japanese defense position, the Yuza-Dake, Yaeju-Dake Hill mass, was secured by June 17, and on June 22 all resistance was declared at an end. The Division patrolled an area from Chan to Ogusuku until June 30. After resting in July, the Division left Okinawa for Mindoro, in the Philippines, and engaged in a training program. The Division left the Philippines, January 17, 1946, for the United States.
The division commenced its Army Reserve role in December 1946, commanded by Colonel Ross J. Wilson of Kalispell, Montana. The division headquarters was Fort Missoula, Montana. Major units were located at Great Falls, Montana, Phoenix, Arizona, and Salt Lake City. The division appears to have kept the 381st, 382nd, and 383rd Infantry Regiments. In August 1948, Colonel LeRoy H. Anderson of Conrad, Montana was appointed as the Commander. The headquarters moved to Helena, Montana, and then transferred to Fort Douglas, Utah, in 1962. Major General Michael B. Kauffman was named commander, followed by Brigadier General Ray D. Free. The division was inactivated in December 1965, although some elements of the division remained active within the newly activated 191st Infantry Brigade.
On December 22, 1967, the Department of the Army announced that Salt Lake City, Utah, had been chosen as the site for one of the eighteen new nationwide Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) headquarters. The ARCOM would command all Army Reserve units in Utah, Idaho, and Montana. In March 1968, the numericals "96" were assigned to the command. Also in March the 259th Quartermaster Battalion, an ARCOM unit in Pleasant Grove, Utah was ordered to active duty. In September, the 259th transferred overseas for duty in Vietnam and served with distinction, being awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. It was released from active duty on September 18, 1969. Sterling R. Ryser succeeded Major General Free as ARCOM commander in early 1969. In 1971 with the consolidation of Fourth and Fifth Army areas, the 96th ARCOM's span of command was increased to include North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. In 1973 the command was again reorganized, gaining the state of New Mexico and losing North and South Dakota.
Since 1974, 96th ARCOM units have trained with their regular Army counterparts throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Franklin McKean was appointed Commanding General in 1975, followed by Larry Morris in 1979. In 1984, the ARCOM was again reorganized, losing New Mexico and regaining North and South Dakota. Richard O. Christiansen was appointed as Commanding General. In 1985, the 96th ARCOM was geographically the largest Army Reserve Command in the United States. The ARCOM consisted of 94 units and 9,320 reservists, augmented by 243 full-time soldiers and 288 civilian employees. On April 9, 1989 Donald M. Bagley was appointed Commanding General.
In 1991, 3rd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, located in Colorado, was mobilized for security duties in Germany during the Gulf War. In 1993, Major General Richard F. Reeder assumed command of the 96th ARCOM. In 1996, as part of the U.S. Army Reserve Command restructuring, the 96th ARCOM became the 96th Regional Support Command. After the end of the Cold War, the command was finally redesignated the 96th Regional Readiness Command. Subordinate units of the 96th RRC have been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Djibouti in support of the Global War on Terror from 2001. Units have also been deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of peacekeeping operations in the Balkans.
Effective September 17, 2008, the unit became the 96th Sustainment Brigade, with its headquarters located at Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City, Utah. The 96th Sustainment Brigade deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. The brigade returned to the U.S. in May, 2010.
In 2015, members of the headquarters element mobilized in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, providing support to Special Operations Command Central, and returned to the U.S. in April, 2016.

News and announcements

march 2, 2020
Memorial at the National Museum of the US Army
The 96th Infantry Division Heritage Fund is looking to raise $2,500 for a memorial at the new US Army museum at Ft. Belvoir Virginia. This financial undertaking falls within the vision of the Heritage Fund in placing significant memorials in the memory of our Deadeyes who earned that recognition. This project has matching funds from the Heritage Fund. The total for the project is $5,000. The Heritage Fund has pledged $2,500 to the project. The target to get the funds raised is Memorial Day (May 25), 2020 so we can get it ordered and placed at the Museum in late June/ Early July 2020. Donations can be done by check and can be mailed to Treasurer, PO Box 34, Trempealeau, WI 54661-0034. For families that donate $250 or more dollars, a gift of a framed photo of the plaque will be provided after the Association has a formal dedication ceremony either in the Fall of 2020 or the Spring of 2021.
A post on our Facebook page displays a rendition of what the memorial plaque would look like, Click here or on the F icon below to visit our Facebook page.
MAY 24, 2020
Museum Memorial Update
The Heritage Fund wishes to extend a sincere thank you to those who were able to donate for the memorial at the US Army Museum at Ft. Belvoir Virginia. As of our target date, we surpassed our $2,500 goal and received over $3,000 for the campaign.
Additionally, we have received notice that the Museum is delaying their opening from June 14, 2020 until sometime later in the summer or early fall. Although unfortunate, this delay will provide assurance that our monument will be set in place prior to the Museum opening.
Thank you again for your generosity, and stay tuned for some new opportunities to get involved in preserving our Deadeye history.
JUNE 26, 2020
Adair Village Founder's Day 2020
The Adair Village Founder's Day celebration for 2020 has been cancelled due to health concerns and restrictions necessitated by COVID-19. This annual event, which is sponsored by Adair Living History and the City of Adair Village, Oregon, honors the history and events that occurred in and around Camp Adair, Oregon and Corvallis, Oregon during World War II. This year's event would have marked the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II. Plans are in place for Founder's Day to return in 2021. Future dates and schedules will be posted on our website when they are announced.