Book Description

The history of the 78th Infantry Division in World War II, as in World War I, is a record of heroic achievement, mission accomplished and outstanding service to the United States of America. War, as such, is opposed to American principles and ideals—nevertheless, in time of emergency our citizens turn from peaceful pursuits to undertake protection of their country with steadfast determination. This was the situation when, in Aug. 1942, I took command of the Lightning Division at reactivation. Our first mission was to train thousands of men for combat. Wherever America was fighting her enemies, our men saw action. Then, in the spring of 1943, the Division began training as a unit. Teamwork, leadership and courage were the foundations on which we built with work, exercise and maneuver. After grave losses through transfer of personnel, the Division completed its tests and embarked for Europe in Oct. 1944. Within two months we had assaulted and breached the formidable Siegfried Line in Germany. Rollesbroich, Simmerath, Kesternich, Konzen, Schmidt, the Schwammenauel Dam, the Cologne Plain, the Ludendorff Bridge, the Remagen Bridgehead and the Ruhr Pocket are names that will ever recall the gallantry of Lightning men. Compilation of the history of a combat unit is a daring task. Too great a part of a unit’s history lies buried with the men who made it. The deeds of one man on an unnamed hill, the actions of a squad fighting for an isolated farmstead, have decided many battles. By the nature of war, however, these actions remain unrecorded. For this reason our history is the Story of the Lightning Team, of all who wore the Lightning Patch, in a winning fight from reactivation at Camp Butner, N. C., in 1942, through our last combat mission at Wuppertal, Germany, 17 Apr. 1945, and thereafter.— Maj.-Gen. Edwin P. Parker, Jr.