45th Infantry Division Thunderbird Division, USA

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45TH INFANTRY DIVISION THUNDERBIRD DIVISION, USA

History: Activated in 1923, deactivated in 1945 and reactivated in 1946 then inactivated in 1968.

(Shoulder Sleeve Insignia)

(SSI Version 2)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia 1920)

(Distinctive Unit Insignia 1946)

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

The Division was activated in 1923 with Units from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma. This is shown by the use of the National Guard Crests of these States in the first Division DUI. The Division was briefly deactivated in 1945 and reactivated in 1946 then as a Oklahoman Unit, showed by the redesignated DUI with only the Oklahoma Crest. The First design of the Divisional Shoulder Sleeve Insignia showed a Swastika, a common Native American Symbol honouring the Heritage of the Area. This was approved in August 1924, but following the rise of the Nazis in Germany the Division stopped using this Insignia. After a period a new SSI was adopted in 1939, with a Thunderbird another Native American Symbol.