45th Infantry Division Insignia
Dublin Core
Title
45th Infantry Division Insignia
Alternative Title
45th Infantry Insignia
Subject
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
Description
The insignia for the U.S. Army's 45th Infantry Division. The original insignia 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.
A notable member of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II. Sergeant John B. Hancock (1913-1944) was born in Thomasville, Georgia, in 1913, but later migrated to Auburndale, Florida. Hancock managed a Great Atlantic &
A notable member of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II. Sergeant John B. Hancock (1913-1944) was born in Thomasville, Georgia, in 1913, but later migrated to Auburndale, Florida. Hancock managed a Great Atlantic &
Pacific Tea Company (A&
P) store in Haines City until he enlisted in the 45th Infantry Division's 179th Infantry Regiment. Sgt. Hancock served initially in Africa in 1943, until the 45th Infantry Division's participation in the Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky. The division then went on to participate in the Allied invasion of Italy, where Sgt. Hancock was injured. He was returned to duty in February of 1944 in southern France. On November 1, 1944, Sgt. Hancock went Missing in Action (MIA) after serving in the Allied invasion of Southern France, codenamed Operation Dragoon. He was eventually buried at Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France.
Source
Photocopy of original insignia: Private Collection of Linda Hughes.
Date Created
ca. 1943-1944
Contributor
Hughes, Linda
Is Part Of
Epinal American Cemetery Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
Medium
1 insignia
Type
Still Image
Coverage
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Accrual Method
Donation
Audience
Mediator
History Teacher
Civics/Government Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Linda Hughes and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Contributing Project
Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial Project
Curator
Bates, Chris
Cepero, Laura
Digital Collection
Source Repository
Private Collection of Linda Hughes
External Reference
Routh. Ross H. "From Swastika to Thunderbird." The M38A1 Restoration Site. http://www.m38a1.com/Misc-MV/thunderbirds.htm.
"GRid=56372799" target="_blank">Sgt John B Hancock." Find A Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&
GRid=56372799.
"Killed in Action." RICHES of Central Florida.
"Letter from John R. Hull to Edna P. Hancock (April 23, 1945)." RICHES of Central Florida.
Citation
“45th Infantry Division Insignia,” RICHES, accessed April 26, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/9396.