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87th Infantry Division

The 87th Infantry Division arrived in Scotland, 22 October 1944, and trained in England, 23 October-30 November. It landed in France, 1-3 December, and moved to Metz, where, on the 8th, it went into action against and took Fort Driant. The Division then shifted to the vicinity of Gross Rederching near the SaarGerman border on the 10th of December and captured Rimling, Obergailbach, and Guiderkirch in short order. The 87th was moving into Germany when Von Rundstedt launched his offensive in the Ardennes.

The Division was placed in SHAEF reserve, 24-28 December, then thrown into the Bulge battle in Belgium, 29 December. In a fluctuating battle, it captured Moircy on the 30th and Remagne on the 31st. On 2 January 1945, it took Germont, on the 10th Tillet, and reached the Ourthe by the 13th. On 15 January 1945, the Division moved to Luxembourg to relieve the 4th Division along the Sauer and seized Wasserbillig on the 23d. The 87th moved to the vicinity of St. Vith, 28 January, and attacked and captured Schlierbach, Selz, and Hogden by the end of the month. After the fall of Neuendorf, 9 February, the Division went on the defensive until the 26th, when Ormont and Hallschlag were taken in night attacks. The 87th crossed the Kyll River, 6 March, took Dollendorf on the 8th, and after a brief rest, returned to combat, 13 March 1945, crossing the Moselle on the 16th and clearing Koblenz, 18-19 March.

The Division crossed the Rhine, 25-26 March, despite strong opposition, consolidated its bridgehead, and secured Grossenlinden and Langgons. On 7 April, it jumped off in an attack which carried it through Thuringia into Saxony. Plauen fell, 17 April, and the Division took up defensive positions, 20 April May, about 4 miles from the Czech border. On 6 May 1945, it took Falkenstein and maintained its positions until VE-day.

Unit awards
Medal Of Honor
Medal Of Honor
Awarded: 1
Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Awarded: 9
Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded: 1
Silver Star
Silver Star
Awarded: 364
Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
Awarded: 20
Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
Awarded: 41
Bronze Star
Bronze Star
Awarded: 1.542
Air Medal
Air Medal
Awarded: 49
Combat chronicle
  • 25 November 1944: Third Army, 12th Army Group.
  • 4 December 1944: III Corps.
  • 11 December 1944: XII Corps.
  • 21 December 1944: XV Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
  • 29 December 1944: VIII Corps, Third Army, 12th Army Group.
  • 14 January 1945: XII Corps.
  • 25 January 1945: VIII Corps.
  • 22 April 1945: VIII Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group.

Golden Acorn Division

87th Infantry Division
Original WW2 patch
A golden acorn on a circular green background


Slogan: Stalwart and Strong

Activated: 15 December 1942
Inactivated: 20 September 1945

Days of combat: 154

Date overseas: 17 October 1944

Casualties of the 87th Infantry Division
Killed in action: 1.109
Wounded in action: 4.110
Missing in action: 306
Captured: 30
Non battle: 6.032
Total casualties: 11.587

2
Unit Citations: 2
87th Infantry Division
Commanders of the 87th Infantry Division during WW2
Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson

Maj. Gen. Percy W. Clarkson

Maj. Gen. Eugene M. Landrum

Maj. Gen. Eugene M. Landrum

Maj. Gen. Frank L. Culin, Jr.

Maj. Gen. Frank L. Culin, Jr.

Campaigns

Rhineland

Ardennes-Alsace

Central Europe