#TuesdaysTroops - 90th Infantry Division

90th ID "Tough 'Ombres"

The 90th Infantry Division was formed during World War One. Only "over there" for about a year, they fought as part of the American Expeditionary Forces under General Pershing in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. The allied attack caught the Germans in retreat and decimated them, killing, wounding or taking prisoner around half of the 50,000 German troops. This was a significant victory. 

They also were part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, the principle, largest, and final battle by the U.S. in the war. It cost the United States about 120,000 casualties, among them, over 7500, including almost 1100 dead from the 90th Infantry Division. The 90th would return to the U.S. and become deactivated following the war.

March of 1942 would see the reactivation of the 90th. For two years they trained and were then sent to England where they would continue training from Early April 1944 until June 4, 1944. At that point, they headed to Utah Beach, Normandy, France. 

The 90th Infantry Division, during World War Two consisted of the 315th Engineer Combat Bn., four field artillery battalions, the 343rd, 344th, 345th, and 915th. three infantry regiments, the 357th, 358th, and 359th, and the 790th Ardance Light Maintenance Company. Also, attached to the division were parts of the 537th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion, the 712th Tank Battalion, and the 607th and 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalions. 

Starting with the D-Day landings in Normandy, the 90th participated in 5 major campaigns, including the Northern France portion of Operation Overlord, the Rhineland Campaign, Ardennes-Alsace, including the Battle of the Bulge, and finally, the Central Europe Campaign which culminated with the invasion of Germany and the end of the European portion of World War Two. It was in the waning weeks of the war when they came upon the Flossenbürg concentration camp. This camp saw over 90,000 prisoners pass through, some 30,000 died there. By the time the 90th ID arrived, only about 1500 severely emaciated people remained in camp. About a week after liberating them, the war came to end. The same day this news arrived, the 90th accepted the surrender of the highest scoring fighter ace in history, Erich Hartmann, "the Black Devil" as he was known to the Soviets. He downed 345 of their aircraft and 7 American aircraft during the war. Also surrendering to the 90th that day, was Hartmann's unit, the Jagdgeshwader 52, which claimed over 10,000 aerial victories.

The 90th was comprised of men who were awarded over 6100 Bronze Stars, 1400+ Silver Stars, 54 Distinguished Service Crosses, and 4 recipients of the Medal of Honor. Those men were:

Sergeant John D. "Bud" Hawk

Company E, 359th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division

PFC Foster J. Sayers

Company L, 357th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division

Technical Sergeant Eugene Everhart Sr.

 Company H, 359th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division

Corporal Edward A. Bennett

 Company B, 358th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division

The 90th returned stateside in December, 1945 and was deactivated. A valued part of Patton's 3rd Army, he once said of the division, "Sometimes I don't think you know how ___ ____ good you are. You are the best soldiers in the world. It was a great honor to command you." While Patton may have spoken similar words to others, those are indeed hefty praise coming from him. I have no doubt that he meant them.

The men of the 90th, spread among many different units, were very much a huge part of the victory in Europe. From intensive training, to the invasion of Normandy and the march through battle after bloody battle until Germany was defeated was no small thing. The number of men lost was staggering. They lost more than they started with. Constant re-enforcement kept the units running like a well oiled machine that would not stop until the job was done. 

There have been at least 25 notable books written about the 90th or elements of the 90th, a great list can be found on the 90th Division Association's website at: Books About the 90th. There look to be some really good reads in here.

Not many remain from these warriors who fought so incredibly valiantly so many years ago. It is a privilege for me to learn and share as much about them as I can. I encourage you to dig further as well. There is a wealth of information out there if you have the time and desire to look for it. Let's not forget these men. Honor them by getting to know about what they did. The sacrifices they made are overwhelming if you think about it. So many gave so much of themselves for each other and for the freedoms, not only that we enjoy, but for the freedoms of people halfway around the world whom they didn't even know. Some of the towns throughout Europe seem to hold these heroes in higher reverance than do many of our own citizens. This is a sad fact that should not be tolerated. Honor them. Remember them. Cherish them!