The Division’s World War II pre-combat history extended over more than two years of training and travel throughout the breadth of the United States and to include later the United Kingdom and France. Early in its post-activation period, the Division indicated a high degree of personnel intelligence for Army division as the result of Army General Classification Test scores. It was rated equally high in physical fitness tests which were conducted following the completion of basic training. Its performance on three sets of maneuvers, laid the groundwork for a latent combat efficiency.
The Division’s World War II history can be said to have begun when Maj. Gen. Harry L. Twaddle was named commanding general in March, 1942. Later Brig. Gen. Robert L. Spragins (afterward a major general commanding the 44th Infantry Division) was named assistant division commander, Brig. Gen. Ward H. Mans was appointed commander of Division Artillery, and Col. Donald W. Brann (later to become a major general) was named chief of staff.
An enlisted cadre was drawn from the 7th Infantry Division and was trained for organizational duties in June and early July, 1942. A cadre of junior officers was supplied by the various officer candidate schools and the 2nd, 31st 38th, and 43rd Infantry Divisions. The Division was ready to become a part of the Army, and its activation was climaxed by formal ceremonies at newly-constructed Camp Swift, Texas, and by the arrival of filler replacements July 15.
An early group of inductees from crowded Midwestern reception centers began drilling immediately after arrival July 10 and were able to stage a review on activation day.
As a blazing Texas sun shone down on the assembled Division nucleus and many civilian guests, including Texas’ Governor Coke Stevenson, General Twaddle proclaimed his command an active part of the Army of the United States. The Division’s component units were activated the same day: the 377th Infantry Regiment, commanded by Col. Francis A. Woolfley; the 378th Regiment, commanded by Col. Allison J. Burnett; the 379th Regiment, led by Col. Marlin C. Martin; Division Artillery, commanded by Gen. Mans: the 420th Quartermaster Battalion (subsequently reorganized as the 95th Quartermaster Company), the 320th Medical Battalion, the 32Oth Engineer Battalion, the 95th Reconnaissance Troop, the 95th Signal Company, the 795th Ordnance Company, (5th Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company and the Military Police Platoon.
Upon the arrival of all filler replacements it was found that slightly more than eighty per cent of the Division’s enlisted personnel were from the Midwest, the Chicago area predominating. Personnel turnover reduced this figure subsequently, but the Midwest held its majority or plurality throughout the Division’s period of activation.
Regular Army, National Guard, Reserve and Selective Service troops all contributed to the Division, with the last named the largest source. Previous to the Division’s activities, a provisional Division staff was assembled at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas for preliminary training and organization. Regimental, battalion, company and battery commanders had reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for a one-month training course.