By Samira Hedayat
Did you know that the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, also known as the Bayonet Division, turns 104 on December 6?
This division is known best for its crucial work in the Pacific theater of World War II, but its members continue to be a force for good in the world in today’s modern age. Learn more about the 7th Infantry Division with these six-need-to-know facts:
1. Originally created during World War I, the 7th Infantry Division, was activated on December 6, 1917 at Camp Wheeler, Georgia.
Its current headquarters are at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
7th Infantry Division troops negotiate snow and ice during the battle on Attu in May 1943. | Photo credit Australian War Memorial
2. Over the years, the 7th Infantry Division has participated in a variety of U.S. conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Panama and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Arguably, the unit is best known for its participation in the Pacific theater during WWII, when it took heavy casualties during combat in the Aleutian Islands, Leyte and Okinawa.
3. The 7th Infantry Division boasts 17 Medal of Honor recipients and 15 campaign participation credits.
4. The 7th Infantry Division has authority over five active brigades and one associated brigade from the Washington Army National Guard.
It’s also the only active-duty multi-component division headquarters in the Army.
The 7th Infantry Division patch. | Photo credit The 7th Infantry Division patch.
5. The 7th Infantry Division’s official patch features an hourglass.
The patch was first adopted in October 1918 and originated from the use of two inverted and upright sevens to create an hourglass. As a result, the division was also known as the “Hourglass Division.” A bayonet, hence the name “Bayonet Division,” was added as a result of the division’s participation in the Korean War.
6. “Trust in Me” is the 7th Infantry Division’s motto.
The division’s motto, “Trust in Me” shows the nation’s confidence and trust in the 7th Infantry Division. The division is always ready to provide units that are trained and ready to fight at any given time and for any given mission.
-This article was originally published in 2019. It has been edited for 2021.
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