It was re-formed during the inter-war period, and then later activated for service during World War II, seeing action against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Pacific.

In the late 1960s, the division was reduced to a brigade-sized formation, and its lineage is currently perpetuated by the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The division was trained at Camp Logan in Houston, Texas as part of the National state guard in Illinois.

The division was trained by British Army and Commonwealth soldiers – in particular the Australian Corps – and was part of some of their operations.

Thus, while Hamel was a relatively minor battle by the standards of World War I, it was historically significant as the first occasion on which US Army personnel had fought alongside British Empire forces, and demonstrated that the previously inexperienced American troops could play an effective role in the war.

The battle was also historically significant for the use of innovative assault tactics, devised by the Australian General John Monash, were demonstrated.

With the British III Corps attack stalling at Chipilly Ridge during the Battle of Amiens, the 131st Regiment of the 33rd Division was sent to assist on 9 August, which it did with distinction.

This was designed to hold the front from the Somme to the Bray-Sur-Somme to Corbie road to relieve the 4th Australian Division from the operation.

The 33rd Division was the only unit in the war to have machine gun barrage enemy nests while infantry turned the position.

In accordance with the National Defense Act of 1920, the division was allotted to the state of Illinois and assigned to the VI Corps in 1921.

[13] The division headquarters was reorganized and federally recognized on 13 December 1923 at 115 East Ontario Street, in Chicago.

Additionally, the division staff participated in the Second Army CPX in August 1938 held at Fort Knox.

In April 1941, Illinois draftees sent from Camp Grant and Fort Sheridan arrived to bring the 33rd Division to full strength.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941, the 33rd Infantry Division was dispersed to guard major industrial plants, dams, and railroads in Alabama and Tennessee, being recalled to Camp Forrest after one month.

The 131st Infantry Regiment was detached for non-divisional service in the continental United States and sent to Fort Brady, near Sault Ste.

In September, the 33rd Infantry Division was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington and assigned to the IX Corps.

In October, November, and December, filler replacements arrived at Fort Lewis to bring the 33rd Infantry Division to full strength once again.

After the maneuvers, the 33rd Infantry Division received its port call and shipped out to Camp Stoneman, near Pittsburg, California.

The 123rd Infantry Regiment arrived at Maffin Bay on 1 September, to provide perimeter defense around the Wakde Airdrome and in the Toem–Sarmi sector.

The division drove into the Caraballo Mountains on 19 February, toward its objective, Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines and the headquarters of General Tomoyuki Yamashita.

Baguio and Camp John Hay fell on 26 April, under the concerted attack of the 33rd and the 37th Infantry Divisions.

The division landed on Honshū Island, Japan, on 25 September, and then performed occupation duties until it was deactivated in early 1946.