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"The Pathfinder Division"
 (Updated
9-25-08)
The 8th Infantry Division was a mechanized infantry division
in the United States Army. The 8th Infantry Division went by the nickname of
the "Golden Arrow Division" and later, the "Pathfinder Division." Both monikers
were born of the vertical gold arrow in the unit's shoulder patch. However,
many soldiers referred to the wearers of an 8ID patch as "Crazy Eights." The
8th I.D. served proudly during World War I, World War II, in Europe during the
Cold War, and in Operation Desert Storm. The 8th Infantry Division was
deactivated in Germany in January of 1992.
The 8th Infantry Division was formed in early January 1918 for
service during World War I. By the time the 8th Division had trained up and
deployed to France in November of the same year, the fighting was over.
Subsequently the Golden Arrow Division did not gain any combat experience
during WWI. The troopers of the 8th Division returned to the United States and
the unit was inactivated in January of 1919.
The Pathfinder Division was called to serve again, this time
during the buildup for WWII. The Division was activated on July 1, 1940 and
deployed overseas on December 5, 1943. The Allies invaded France on D-day, June
6, 1944. After training in Ireland the 8th Infantry Division landed on Utah
Beach, Normandy, on July 4, 1944 and entered combat on the 7th. Fighting
through the hedgerows, the 8th I.D. crossed the Ay River on July 26th and
pushed through Rennes on August 8th, and continued their advance to attack
Brest in September. The Crozon Peninsula was cleared by September 19th, and the
Division drove across France to Luxembourg. The Pathfinder Division moved to
the Hurtgen Forest on November 20th. Troopers of the 8th Infantry Division
cleared Hurtgen on the 28th and Brandenburg on December 3rd.
Now the Golden Arrow Division pushed on to the Roer. That
river was crossed on February 23, 1945, Duren taken on the 25th and the Erft
Canal was crossed on the 28th. The 8th Infantry Division reached the Rhine near
Rodenkirchen by March 7, 1945 and maintained positions along the river near
Koln. On April 6th the Division attacked northwest to aid in the destruction of
enemy forces in the Ruhr Pocket, and by the 17th had completed its mission. The
Division, under operational control of the British Second Army, drove across
the Elbe on May 1st, and had penetrated to Schwerin when the war in Europe
ended.
On May 2, 1945, as the Golden Arrow Division advanced into
northern Germany, the 8ID encountered the Neuengamme concentration camp
Wöbbelin subcamp, near the city of Ludwigslust. The SS had established
Wöbbelin in early February 1945 to house concentration camp prisoners who
had been evacuated from other Nazi camps in order to prevent their liberation
by the Allies. Wöbbelin held some 5,000 inmates, many of whom suffered
from starvation and disease. The sanitary conditions at the camp when the 8th
ID arrived were deplorable. There was little food or water, and some prisoners
had resorted to cannibalism. In the first week after liberation, more than 200
inmates died. The 8th Infantry Division was recognized as a liberating unit by
the U.S. Army's Center of Military History and the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum in 1988.
During their service in WWII, the 8th Infantry Division spent
266 days in combat. Their total combat casualties numbered 13,986. Of that
number, 2,852 were killed in action. The Pathfinder Division had fought in four
campaigns and earned five unit citations. Troopers of the 8th Infantry Division
were awarded 768 Silver Stars, 2 Distinguished Service Medals, 33 Distinguished
Service Crosses, and 3 Medals of Honor.
The 8th Infantry Division was re-deployed to the United States
and deactivated on November 20, 1945. However, the Golden Arrow Division would
be needed again in Germany. The Division was re-activated for the Cold War and
sent to Germany to replace the 9th Infantry Division in October of 1956. On
December 14, 1957, having participated in NATO exercises and gone through the
first of several reorganizations, the 8th Infantry Division Headquarters was
stationed in Bad Kreuznach, West Germany.
From 1958 to 1973 the 8th Infantry Division, although
mechanized, had an airborne infantry component. The original formation
consisted of the 1st Airborne Battle Group with the 504th and 505th Infantry
Regiments. In 1963, the Division reorganized to a structure that used brigades
and battalions as maneuver elements. The 1-504th and 1-505th were replaced by
the 1-509th and the 2-509th Infantry Regiments and were located at Lee Barracks
in Mainz. Along with other elements these two airborne battalions of the 509th
made up the 1st Brigade (Airborne), 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized). In
1973, the 1st Brigade's jump status came to an end. The 509th moved to Vicenza
and was replaced in the 8th ID by the 2-28th and 2-87th Infantry.
The Pathfinder Division would stay in Germany for the
remainder of the Cold War, as part of the United States Seventh Army and V
Corps. The 8th Infantry Division, along with its brother units in the theater,
was instrumental in the defense of Western Europe and deterrence of communist
aggression. The result of thousands of troopers' hard work in training and
readiness was the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, the freeing of Eastern
European countries, and the reunification of Germany.
With the collapse of "the Wall" in 1989, it would seem that
the need for large units of mechanized forces was over. For some Pathfinder
Division units, their work was not done. During Operation Desert Shield/Desert
Storm the following subordinate units of the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
deployed to Southwest Asia:
The 2-29th Field Artillery Battalion from Baumholder served as
part of VII Corps Artillery. The 12th Engineer Battalion from Anderson Barracks
in Dexheim was deployed with the 3rd Armored Division. The 4-34th Armor out of
Lee Barracks in Mainz deployed with the Ready First Combat Team. The 5th
Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery home based at McCully Barracks in
Wackernheim deployed in support of 3rd Armored Division. Also TF 3-77 Armor
from Mannheim deployed to Southwest Asia.
Most 8th Infantry Division soldiers had returned to home
station by the end of May, 1991. The 3-77 Armor redeployed in August of that
year. Their mission completed in both Europe and Southwest Asia, the Golden
Arrow Division prepared for deactivation. Their colors were cased on January
17, 1992.
The 8th Infantry Division's motto is "These are my
credentials." Thousands of American soldiers during the 20th Century showed the
world that their actions were in fact their credentials. Those veterans will
always be proud that their service was with the Pathfinder Division.
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