2nd Cav Div

Symbolism: The shield is yellow, the Cavalry color. The stars are taken from the coat of arms of the 2d Cavalry, which was formerly a unit of the division.
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Born at sea, baptized in, blood, and crowned with victory, in the course of 38 days of incessant battle and unceasing labor, you have added a glorious chapter in the history of war.

Pitted against the best the Germans and Italians could offer, you have been unfailingly successful. The rapidity at your dash, which culminated in the capture of Palermo, was equalled by the dogged tenacity with which you stormed Troina and captured Messina.

Every man in the Army deserves equal credit. The enduring valor of the Infantry, and the impetuous ferocity of the tanks was matched by the tire-less clamor of our destroyer guns. The engineers performed prodigies in the construction and maintenance of impossible roads over impassable country. The services of Maintenance and Supply performed a miracle. The Signal Corps laid over 10,000 miles of wire, and the Medical Department evacuated and cared for our sick and wounded.

On all occasions the Navy has given generous and gallant support. Throughout this operation, our Air has kept the sky clear and tirelessly supported the operation of the Ground troops.

As a result of this combined effort, you have killed or captured 113,350 enemy troops. You have destroyed 265 of his tanks, 2,324 vehicles, and 1,162 large guns, and in addition, have collected, a mass of military booty running into hundreds of tons.

But your victory has a significance above and beyond its physical aspect- you have destroyed the prestige of the enemy.

The President of the United States, the Secretary of War, the Chief of Staff, General Eisenhower, General Alexander, General Montgomery have all congratulated you.

JOSEPH J. KOHOUT, Capt., 26th Infantry, Pers Off
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The 2nd Cavalry Division was one of three Army Divisions that were manned entirely by African American Soldiers. The other two were the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions. The 2nd Cavalry was activated on April 1, 1941 at Fort Riley Kansas as a Regular Cavalry Division. It was deactivated on July 15, 1942. On February 25, 1943 the Division was reactivated and designated an all-Black unit. The first Division headquarters was located at Fort Clark Texas.

Men were recruited for the 2nd Cavalry from all over the south and new recruits came from almost every state in the union. The began an intensive training cycle and prepared for deployment early in 1944. On February 28, 1944, the Division left Hampton Roads, Virginia and was transported to North Africa.

Upon arrival in North Africa, the 2nd Cavalry Division was assigned to garrison duty to free up the units there for the coming battles in Sicily and Italy. The 2nd Cavalry Division protected supply depots, major highways and several airfields where the all-Black Tuskegee Airmen were based.

On May 10, 1944, the 2nd Cavalry Division was deactivated once again and the Soldiers manning it were dispersed throughout the Army. Many 2nd Cavalry Soldiers were transferred to the Pursuit Squadrons of the Tuskegee Airmen and some transferred as replacements for the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Division, which were heavily engaged against the Axis forces in Italy and Southern France.

The 2nd Cavalry Division has never been reactivated. During its short history, they were never given a chance to distinguish themselves in battle as other all-Black units were able to, but the men of the 2nd Cavalry Division nevertheless served with honor in a time when racism and discrimination was rampant and sanctioned by the Army. They were forced to endure terrible hardships as they were constantly kept separate from white units and rarely afforded the opportunity to train with proper equipment. Housing and mess facilities often were substandard and what little family housing was made vailable was little more than shacks and shanties.

As a unit, the 2nd Cavalry Division is little more than a footnote in the history of World War Two. The men who served in it however, are true heroes not only for volunteering to serve in an Army that considered them to be inferior, but also for overcoming all of the obstacles thrown in their path and showing the true 4spirit of the American Soldier.

2nd CAVALRY DIVISION

History of the 2nd Cavalry Division