89th Infantry Division (United States)

On 27 August, Major General Leonard Wood, formerly the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, assumed command.

The drafted men came from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

The 314th Engineer Regiment received men from southeastern and eastern Missouri that were surplus after the organization of the 354th Infantry.

The division, now commanded by Major General William M. Wright, was sent overseas in June and July 1918 to join the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in the final stages of World War I, which ended on November 11, 1918, due to the Armistice with Germany.

The 89th Division, now under Major General Frank L. Winn, participated in the Battle of St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

Lee, and his G-4 (supply officer), Lt. Col. Brehon B. Somervell, who also received the Distinguished Service Cross for leading a three-man patrol to inspect damage to a bridge some 600 yards (550 m) in front of American lines.

[3] The 89th Infantry Division landed in France at Le Havre, 21 January 1945, and engaged in several weeks of precombat training before moving up to the Sauer River into jump-off positions east of Echternach, 11 March 1945.

The offensive rolled on, and the division assaulted across the Rhine River on 26 March 1945 under intense fire in the Wellmich-Oberwesel region.

The division continued to move eastward toward the Mulde River, capturing Zwickau by 17 April.

The advance was halted, 23 April, and from then until VE-day, the division saw only limited action, engaging in patrolling and general security.

The 89th was reactivated as a Reserve unit in 1947 with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas and redesignated as the 89th Division (Training) in 1959.

Officers of the 89th Division being decorated by General John J. Pershing in Trier , Germany , April 1919.
Men of the 89th Infantry Division cross the Rhine River in assault boats, March 1945.
The crossing of the Rhine between 22 and 28 March 1945.