"Tropic Lightning"
The 25th Infantry Division was formed on 1 October 1941 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The division traces its lineage to the Hawaiian Division, which defended Hawaii since 1921. As part of reorganization, the Hawaiian Division was dissolved and two new divisions, the 24th and 25th divisions, were formed from its units. Barely two months old on 7 December 1941, the 25th Infantry Division received its baptism of fire when Japanese forces attacked military facilities on the island of Oahu. The division immediately deployed to its assigned sectors along the southern and eastern coasts of the island, ready to defend against a possible Japanese invasion. The division continued its role as guardian of Oahu until November 1942, when they were ordered into action against the Japanese in the Solomon Islands. Their first target: Guadalcanal.
Guadalcanal was first major campaign of the 25th Infantry division. Arriving by convoys between December 1942 and early January 1943, the division began its offensive against Japanese forces on 5 January 1943. Fighting in disease infested jungle against a determined foe, the division completed its missions and defeated Japanese resistance on Guadalcanal by 5 February 1943. It was due to their superior performance during this operation the 25th Infantry Division earned its nickname: "Tropic Lightning".
The fight would continue for the division as it moved up the Solomon Islands chain, fighting and defeating Japanese forces on the islands of New Georgia, Arundel, Kolombangara, and Vella Lavella. By 22 October 1943, the division withdrew from the front for a well deserved rest. While preparing for their next campaign, the final design for the division's patch was approved on 25 September 1944. The red and yellow taro leaf represented the division's origins in Hawaii, and the lightning bolt symbolized the division's adopted nickname.
The soldiers of "Tropic Lightning" returned to action in January 1945 during the liberation of the Philippine Islands. The division landed on the island of Luzon with the mission of clearing and destroying Japanese forces on the central plain of Luzon and clearing a vital highway through the rugged Caraballo Mountains. The 25th Division began their operation on 16 January 1945 and was in combat continuously until their missions were completed, 165 days later. The division was awarded a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its participation in the Philippines. The division was placed in reserve and began training for the planned invasion of Japan when the war ended. The division participated in four campaigns during World War II and six soldiers would receive Medals of Honor for their bravery in combat.
The division performed occupation duty in Japan near the city of Osaka until 1950, when the division would fight its second war.
On 25 June 1950, the Korean peninsula erupted when Communist forces from North Korea stormed south across the 38th Parallel into South Korea. The 25th Infantry Division was called into action and deployed to Korea from 5-18 July 1950. Upon arrival they immediately began operations to defend the city of Pusan from North Korean forces. After weeks of bitter fighting, the division was able to break out from the Pusan area in September 1950 along with U.S. and United Nations forces to link with U.S. Marines who landed at the city of Inchon. Most of Korea was liberated when Chinese forces joined the fighting in November 1950, forcing the 25th Infantry Division and allied forces south once again.
The division began retaking lost territory in January 1951, fighting bitter battles in places called The Iron Triangle, The Punchbowl, and others. On 27 July 1953, an armistice took effect ending combat. Through the efforts of units such as the 25th Infantry Division, the sovereignty of South Korea was protected. For their efforts, the division received two South Korean Presidential Unit Citations and 14 soldiers were recognized for their bravery with the Medal of Honor during the 10 campaigns the division fought in Korea.
Just days after the formal end of hostilities, on 3 August 1953, the Department of Defense formally recognized the nickname the division had been using since World War II: "Tropic Lightning". By October 1954, the division had returned home to Hawaii after a 12 year absence.
During the 1950's to the early 1960's, the 25th Infantry Division continued to maintain its combat readiness while serving as a deterrent against Communist aggression in the Pacific. On 1 February 1957, the division reorganized under the "Pentomic" concept, to increase survivability of units in a nuclear battlefield. However this organization would not last long, and on 26 August 1963 the division was reorganized under the Reorganization Objective Army Divisions (ROAD). This change would come just as the division began involvement in its third conflict, the Vietnam War.
In early 1963, the 25th Infantry Division provided 100 helicopter door gunners to South Vietnam at the request of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. Known as "Shotgunners" the door gunners represented the first committal of troops to the Vietnam War by the division. In August 1965, C Company, 65th Engineer Battalion was deployed to South Vietnam to assist in the construction of port facilities at Cam Ranh Bay. By late 1965, over 2,500 soldiers of "Tropic Lightning" were deployed to the Southeast Asia country.
In December 1965, "Tropic Lighting" deployed in force to South Vietnam at the request of MACV. In a massive airlift, 3rd Brigade deployed to the central highlands at Pleiku, while the rest of the division was transported by sea. The Command Group of the division had established their base in Cu Chi district, 20 miles northwest of the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon. By April 1966, the entire division had arrived in country and ready to strike.
During 1966 and 1967 the division engaged in operations to destroy communist forces within their Area of Responsibility while engaging in humanitarian missions to support the Vietnamese people. In fall 1966 the division took part in Operation Attleboro, which was the largest unit operation of the war at that time. Fighting was heavy in the jungles of Vietnam, where the enemy could blend with either the jungle or civilians to hide. In late January 1968, enemy forces began a major offensive against allied forces. Occurring during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, combat areas now included cities as well as the deep jungle. During the Tet Offensive, the 25th Infantry Division engaged in pitched battles around Saigon and the vital Ton Son Nhut airfield just outside the city. The following year would see a smaller attempt at a major offensive by communist forces, but like 1968, their challenge was met by "Tropic Lightning". In April 1970 the division took part in operation Bold Lancer, which took the Vietnam War into neighboring Cambodia to destroy enemy sanctuaries previously immune from attack. Thousands of tons of supplies were captured and base areas destroyed before the division returned to Vietnam by June of that year. In December 1970 the division began leaving Vietnam, with 2nd Brigade being last to depart in April 1971. During its time in Vietnam, the division was credited with participation in 12 campaigns and decorated twice with the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. "Tropic Lighting" saw 21 of its soldiers receive the Medal of Honor for their bravery.
Upon its return to Hawaii, the 25th Infantry Division saw its ranks dwindle as the 2nd and 3rd Brigades were deactivated. This left only one brigade under control of the division. This situation changed in 1972 with the reactivation of the 2nd Brigade and the inclusion of the Hawaii National Guard's 29th Infantry Brigade as a "roundout" unit if the division was called into combat.
The very face of the 25th Infantry Division changed in 1985 when it was selected to change into a light infantry formation. Stressing rapid deployment and mission flexibility, "Tropic Lightning" was reorganized into the rapid reaction force for the Pacific Region. After almost 15 years, the 3rd Brigade was reactivated as part of this process. By 1 October 1986, the division had lost its heavy equipment and gained the designation of 25th Infantry Division (Light).
Through the 1980s the division maintained an active schedule of training exercises on the mainland as well as with Pacific Rim nations. Exercises in South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Thailand exemplify of the far reach the 25th Infantry Division in the Pacific and American commitment to the security of its allies.
When war erupted in the Persian Gulf in 1991, Tropic Lightning made its presence felt by sending a contingent of soldiers to the region. Deploying on 30 January 1991, the force consisted of a platoon from each company from the 4th Battalion, 27th Infantry. Their assignment was to act as replacements for the anticipated hard fight. However, the mission changed to protecting the forward headquarters of the Third Army as they advanced into Kuwait. The platoon from A Company was given the honor of escorting General H. Norman Schwarzkopf to the truce signing ending hostilities. By 30 March 1991 all soldiers had returned home without casualties.
The 25th Infantry Division would see its first major deployment as a Light Infantry Division in January 1995 when the 2nd and 3rd Brigades were sent to Haiti as part of Operation Uphold Democracy. The Command Group's mission was to take charge of multinational forces deployed while its soldiers became part of the international contigent. The division became a critical element in the stabilization and reconstitution of Haiti, providing security and rebuilding the infrastructure. The division's mission was officially completed in March 1995, however the final contingent of Tropic Lightning soldiers stayed until June. While the 2nd and 3rd Brigades were away in Haiti, the 1st Brigade was deactivated and Schofield Barracks and reactivated at Fort Lewis Washington as part of the downsizing of the U.S. Army. The 1st Brigade remained under command of the 25th Infantry Division as a detached element.
From April to September 2002, the 25th Infantry Division (Light) continued its peacekeeping mission into the 21st Century as 1,000 Tropic Lightning soldiers took part in operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. As part of Stabilization Force XI, division troops took part in mine-clearing operations, reconstruction, and the destruction of weapons turned in by civilians. Over 849 rifles, 182 machine guns, 187 rocket launchers and 389,000 rounds of ammunition were confiscated and destroyed.
Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division was called to arms to fight the Global War On Terrorism in March 2003, when 107 soldiers representing eight units from 25th ID(L) and USARHAW were deployed to U.S. Central Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tropic Lightning soldiers served in various capacities in support of CENTCOM and many saw combat while attached to the 3rd Infantry and 101st Airborne divisions.
In support of the Global War On Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 25th Infantry Division was called to arms in July 2003 to prepare for deployment in 2004. This deployment would mark the first time the division deployed as a whole outside the Pacific region.
The Second Brigade Combat Team deployed to Iraq in January 2004, under command of Colonel Lloyd Miles. The brigade was stationed outside the city of Kirkuk, where they engaged in peacekeeping operations and nation building projects. Rebuilding and security missions were dangerous, as insurgent forces relied on the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and ambush tactics to attack Coalition forces. The "Warrior" Brigade fought and destroyed insurgent forces in various cities and towns including Najaf, Huwijah, Samarra, and others. The culmination of their deployment occurred just before they were relieved, when they helped support the first free elections in Iraq held in over 50 years. After a year of hard fighting, the 2BCT returned to Schofield Barracks by March 2005.
Tropic Lightning deployed an impressive force to assist in the stabilization of Afghanistan. Deploying in March 2004, deployed units included The Third Brigade Combat Team, division Artillery and units of the division's Aviation Brigade. Soldiers of the "Bronco" brigade, "Tropic Thunder", and "Wings of Lightning" engaged in combat operations against Al-Qaida and remnants of the former Taliban regime while helping to rebuild a country ravaged by decades of war. During operations Lightning Resolve and Lightning Freedom, both units supported democratic elections in Afghanistan, the first ever in the history of that country. Units of Tropic Lightning deployed to Afghanistan returned home to Hawaii by June 2005.
Accompanying the Brigades to Afghanistan was Major General Eric T. Olson, Commander of the 25th Infantry Division (Light). MG Olson was deployed to Afghanistan to take command of Joint Task Force 76, an allied command of over 18,000 personnel representing 18 countries. CJTF-76's mission included the continued pursuit and destruction of Al-Qaida and Taliban remnants while coordinating and continuing the humanitarian operations. MG Olson and his staff returned to Hawaii on 15 March 2005.
http://www.25idl.army.mil/DivHistory.asp