45th Infantry Division Insignias
Dublin Core
Title
45th Infantry Division Insignias
Alternative Title
45th Infantry Insignias
Subject
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
Description
The shoulder sleeve insignia for the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division. The original insignia, photographed on the right, was approved in August of 1924 and featured a swastika, which was a symbol commonly used by Native Americans from the Mississippian culture. With the rise of Germany's Nazi Party, which also used a swastika, the 45th Division retired its original insignia and replaced it in 1939 with another Native American symbol called the Thunderbird, photographed on the left and on the bottom.
A notable member of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II was Private Rufus H. Lennon Jr. Lennon (1921-1944), a soldier from Bradenton, Florida. Lennon was born in 1921 to Rufus H. Lennon, Sr. and Bertha Lennon. On November 21, 1940, he enlisted into the U.S. Army at the age of 19. Pvt. Lennon served in the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. Pvt. Lennon died in battle on September 21, 1944 in Lorraine, France, and was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
A notable member of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II was Private Rufus H. Lennon Jr. Lennon (1921-1944), a soldier from Bradenton, Florida. Lennon was born in 1921 to Rufus H. Lennon, Sr. and Bertha Lennon. On November 21, 1940, he enlisted into the U.S. Army at the age of 19. Pvt. Lennon served in the 180th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. Pvt. Lennon died in battle on September 21, 1944 in Lorraine, France, and was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Source
Original color photograph.
Date Created
ca. 2000-3-20
Contributor
Routh, Ross H.
Is Part Of
Epinal American Cemetery Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
8.34 KB
Medium
3 insignias
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Ross H. Routh and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Epinal Cemetery Project
Curator
Hovey, Hampton
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
External Reference
Routh. Ross H. "From Swastika to Thunderbird." The M38A1 Restoration Site. http://www.m38a1.com/Misc-MV/thunderbirds.htm.
"GRid=56373755" target="_blank">Pvt Rufus H Lennon." Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&
GRid=56373755.
Citation
hampton, “45th Infantry Division Insignias,” RICHES, accessed April 26, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/9295.