• World War II Timeline
• History of the 34th Infantry Division
  • 133rd Infantry Regiment
  • 133rd Infantry Regiment (chronological timeline)
  • 133rd Infantry Regiment (detailed reports by Patrick Skelly)
  • 135th Infantry Regiment
  • 168th Infantry Regiment
• Organization of the 34th during WWII
• 34th Infantry Division FAQ

My focus for this site has been on the 133rd Regiment of the division, my grandfather's unit. Below you will find a chronological synopsis of the 133rd in WWII. The highlighted area indicates the period of time that my grandfather saw action.

World War II

• Activated: 10 February 1941 (National Guard Division from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota).
• Overseas: May 1942
• Days of combat: 517
• Distinguished Unit Citations: 3
• Awards:
  • Medal of Honor: 10
  • Distinguished Service Crosses: 98
  • Distinguished Service Medals: 1
  • Silver Stars: 1,153
  • Bronze Stars: 2,545
  • Legion Of Merit: 116
  • Soldier's Medal: 54
  • Purple Hearts: 15,000
• Casualties:
  • Killed in Action: 3,737
  • Wounded in action: 14,165
  • Missing in action: 3,460
  • Total Battle Casualties: 21,362

• Commanders:
  • Maj. Gen. Ellard A. Walsh (February-August 1941)
  • Maj. Gen. Russell P. Hartle (August 1941-May 1942)
  • Maj. Gen. Charles W. Ryder (May 1942-July 1944)
  • Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte (July 1944 to inactivation)
• Returned to U. S.: 3 November 1945.
• Inactivated: 3 November 1945.

• The National Guard’s 34th Infantry “Red Bull” Division, as part of the US North African invasion force, was credited as having the first American soldier to step off the boat in support of the war effort on North African soil.

• The 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division holds the distinction of having spent more days in combat than any other US Army Division in World War II.

• The 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division holds the distinction of having taken more enemy-defended hills than any other US Army Division in World War II.