The 2nd Infantry Division, the "Indianhead Division," insignia was selected from a contest in France during WW I, 1918, for its All-American symbolism. The 2nd Infantry Division landed in Normandy on June 7th 1944 and fought their way across Europe. Their last action was the capture of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia in 1945.
In 1918 American "Doughboys" serving in France needed headgear that was comfortable to wear, yet could be stored in the pocket when the helmet was donned. To replace the service hat, the Army copied the French Bonnet de Police, an envelope-style fatigue headgear, and created the overseas cap, the predecessor to the garrison cap. The Army abandoned the overseas cap after WW I and revived it in 1933.
The enlisted man wears the class A uniform, the typical service dress of soldiers in the European Theater of Operations. On his chest he wears the Combat Infantryman's Badge. To be awarded a CIB, infantrymen, including officers, had to demonstrate "exemplary conduct in action against the enemy" or satisfactorily perform "duty in action against the enemy in a major operation as determined and announced by the theater commanders." |
