History of the "Fighting 77th"

The 77th Infantry aka "Fighting 77th" was also known as the Statue of Liberty Division based on the geographic makeup of its soldiers.The unit was actived in August 1917 and saw action in the Meuse-Argonne.  The unit was reactivated in March 1942.

Commanding Generals:
Lt. Gen. Robert L. Eichelberger, March - June, 1942
Maj. Gen. Roscoe B. Woodruff, June 1942 to May 1943
Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce, May 1943 to end of war


Component Units:
305th, 306th and 307th Infantry Regiments
304th, 305th, 306th (M) and 902d (L) FA Battalions
Higher Commands: XXIV Corps, SW Base Command, Tenth Army

Combat Highlights: (credit to the folks over at WartimePress.com)

"An amphibious landing on Guam and bloody fighting on Leyte and Okinawa featured the combat career of the 77th Division. First landing was made on the eastern beaches of Guam, July 21, 1944. The heavy work had been done so the 77th encountered light opposition and quickly secured the beaches, captured Yona, San Antonio and Barrigada, the heights of Mt. Barrigada and Mt. Santa Rosa. It was planned to send the division to New Caledonia for rehabilitation and additional training, but Leyte was growing rougher and the 77th was diverted to that embattled isle landing near Deposito, Dec. 7, 1944, for a surprise attack on the Japs. A drive into the Ormac Valley was launched, the troops moved into Panalan and took Camp Downes against bitter resistance and by December 10th captured Ormoc after a bloody battle. Pushing northward toward Valencia, the 77th made a juncture with the 1st Cavalry and with them stormed Tambuco and Valencia. The Okinawa campaign was next on the list and the 77th landed on the Island in April, 1945. Ernie Pyle was with the 77th and it was there he met his death on the field. The island was secure by April 21st and the Statue of Liberty men shifted to Okinawa where tanks and flamethrowers were employed by the division to throw Japs out of "impregnable" mountain positions and to capture the heights near Shuri. In the action at Shuri, the 77th turned to the beach to repel an attempted Jap landing by Imperial Marines. The 77th killed 110 of the 300 who got ashore and pushed the rest into the sea. The 77th took Chocolate Hill, Sugar Loaf Hill, Shuri and Naha, continuing to mop up scattered Japs after May 21, 1945, when organized resistance ended on Okinawa."