They were involved in some brief but intense fighting at Monterosi, battling German tanks and hoping to buy time for the main body of troops who were blasting Nazi soldiers fleeing north by Highway 2. The division was so fierce in battle that German prisoners supposedly remarked that the troops of the 88th fought “like devils.” As a result, the division eventually adopted the nickname the “Blue Devils” in reference to their blue shoulder patches. 351st Infantry Regiment That same day, the 88th was ordered to relieve the British 5th Infantry Division in the Minturno section of the Fifth Army line. While studying the Allies to figure out where to launch his main attacks, Field Marshall Albert Kesselring, the German commander, held his reserves in preparation for a surprise counter-attack. The Blue Devils proved that with rigorous training, teamwork, competent leadership, and fierce determination, an all-draftee division was more than capable of fighting well against a well-trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened enemy. After 100 straight days at the front, the Blue Devils were finally granted some much needed rest and relaxation. The 88th finally captured Santa Maria Infante by 1300. According to the National WWII Museum, the title "Blue Devils" was not attributed to the unit until a later deployment in WWII. Submit an application to OKDHS for winter heating bill assistance. U. S. ARMY 88TH INFANTRY DIVISION (BLUE DEVILS) - The 88th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army that saw service in both World War I and World War II. Seventh Army, part of the 6th Army Group, which had raced south through Bavaria into Innsbruck, Austria, in Vipiteno in the Italian Alps. It was once again rainy, cold and miserable at the front. Soft cover. BG Paul Kendall, who led the expedition, was the first member of the 88th to set foot on foreign soil. The division reassembled, but MG Sloan was unhappy with what he saw. Many thought BG Kendall was not of the same caliber as MG Sloan. Nov 16, 2016 - Explore Daryn Buchmamn's board "WWII Blue Devils" on Pinterest. John W Black, my pap. For its heroic part in the ferocious fighting at Mount Battaglia, the 2d Battalion, 350th Infantry, earned a Distinguished Unit Citation. After only a few short days, he launched another training regimen. The 88th served 344 days of combat and lost 15,173 officers and men killed, wounded and missing. Vicenza fell three days later. This time they went through special training to prepare for the impending spring offensive. It was one of the first of the Organized Reserve divisions to be reactivated, created nearly "from scratch" after the implementation of the draft in 1940. We seek to educate future Americans to fully appreciate the sacrifices that generations of American Soldiers have made to safeguard the freedoms of this Nation. He was the obvious replacement, since he had been with the division since Camp Gruber, but it was upsetting to many of the soldiers to see MG Sloan go. The battalion arrived at the front on 27 February. They were headed towards the Eternal City. He graduated from Eagle River High School, then enlisted in the Army in 1946-1948, serving in the 88th Infantry Division, the “Blue Devils,” 350th Infantry Regiment, F Company, and participated in the Italian Occupation. The 351st, however, did not fare as well as its counterpart. Many mourned the men that did not make it to see the end. New York: 88th Infantry Division Association, 1968. Soon after they won Mount Ceracoli, and soon after that they captured Mount Rotondo. By dawn of 13 May, the 350th also held Hill 316. His replacement was his deputy, BG Paul Kendall. All civilian areas were heavily mined and booby trapped, including houses and streets. In 344 days of combat, the Division sustained a total of 15,173 casualties – killed, wounded, and missing in action. For seven bloody days, the Blue Devils threw back every assault and held the critical position. The Blue Devils saw to it that MG Sloan was good on his word: the 88th Infantry Division had well finished the job it had started long before in World War I. The 88th received its new orders: follow the Germans north. There were no more reserves, but the North Apennines campaign had to continue. The Germans obviously did not plan to give up easily. Reprint, revised, of the original 1947 edition, issued ca. The few critical comments by the author are only to be expected. Rumors flew about where the units would be assigned. The 350th Infantry Regiment and the 349th Infantry Regiment soon followed, and the entire 88th was assembled in North Africa by 27 December 1943. of Commerce State Incentives, Sales Tax Incentive for Downtown Retailers, Starbirds National Rod Custom Car Hall of Fame, Genealogy-Cemetery Transcription and Headstone Pictures, MUNICIPAL POOL PRIVATE PARTY ON-LINE APPLICATION, Activated:  August 5, 1917, Camp Dodge, Iowa, Called to active service:  July 15, 1942, Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, Campaigns: Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley, Awards: Medal of Honor-3 ; Distinguished Service Cross (United States)-40 ; Distinguished Service Medal (United States)-2 ; Silver Star-522; Legion of Merit-66; Soldier's Medal-19 ; Bronze Star Medal-3,784. The only people who were not originally confident in the 88th were the soldiers themselves. 7:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Goodbye 2020 - Welcome 2021 - Happy New Year. 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