United States Army 93rd Infantry Division (Blue Helmets)

OK, Grove, Headstone Symbols and Meanings, U. S. Army 93rd Infantry Division (Blue Helmets)

U. S. ARMY 93RD INFANTRY (BLUE HELMETS DIVISION) -  The 93rd Infantry Division was an African-American segregated unit of the United States Army in World War I and World War II.  During tough combat in France, it soon acquired from the French the nickname Blue Helmets.  This referred to the service of several of its units with the French Army during the Second Battle of the Marne.  Consequently, its shoulder patch became a blue French Adrian helmet, to commemorate its service with the French Army during the Spring Offensive.

The division was reactivated as infantry on May 15, 1942 at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and shipped overseas in 1944.  Most of the division did see service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, but the division's regiments were mainly utilized as construction units and in defensive operations. In 1945, the 93rd Infantry Division was inactivated, though the lineage of several of its units are carried on by the Illinois and Maryland Army National Guard.

World War II

  • Activated:  May 15, 1942  368th, 369th & 25th Inf Regts
  • Overseas:  January 24, 1944
  • Campaigns: New Guinea, Northern Solomons (Bougainville), Bismarck Archipelago (Admiralty Islands)
  • Awards: DSC: 1; DSM: 1; SS: 5; LM: 5; SM: 16; BSM: 686; AM: 27
  • Inactivated:  February 3, 1946

WWII Casualties

  • Total battle casualties: 133
  • Killed in action: 12
  • Wounded in action: 121