97th Infantry Division:
The Trident Division.
The 97th Infantry Division was activated as a component of
the Army of the United States on February 25th, 1943, with
Headquarters at Camp Swift, Texas. Initially, Division elements
were located both at Camp Swift and at Fort Leonard Wood,
Missouri, but all units returned to Fort Leonard Wood following
completion of maneuvers in Louisiana in 1943. After two
additional changes of station, the 97th embarked for the
European Theater in February of 1945.
The patch worn by the 97th Infantry Division was approved on
October 18th, 1922. The three forks of trident represent the
three states from which personnel serving in the Division were
drawn: Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Originally organized
in 1918, the 97th did not serve overseas in WW I although one
Regiment did enter combat as a component of the 76th
Infantry Division.
Re-designated:
Ninety-seventh Army Reserve Command.
Worn from:
23 August 1974 - Current.
Campaigns:
World War II
(Central Europe).