New York National Guard Hosts Veterans of World War II

27th Division Veterans Honored by Brigade That Bears Their Name Today

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Members of the 27th Division in World War I

SYRACUSE, NY (09/23/2009)(readMedia)-- The men who fought with the New York Army National Guard's 27th Division in the Pacific in World War II will gather with veterans of the 27th Brigade Combat Team from Iraq and Afghanistan in a Memorial Service Saturday morning at the Thompson Road Armory

WHO:  World War II veterans, veterans of  Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Veterans, Citizen Soldiers, their family members, former members and friends of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), New York Army National Guard.

WHAT: 27th Division Association Annual Reunion and Memorial Service. The Memorial Service will honor fallen warriors from the 27th IBCT.

WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 26th for Static Displays of weapons and military memorabilia, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: National Guard Armory, 6900 Thompson Road, Syracuse, NY 13211

Coverage Opportunities:

There will be opportunities to interview World War II veterans and veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq about their service. Visual coverage opportunities include Soldiers and family members inspecting equipment and the memorial service for 27th Brigade Combat Team Soldiers who fell in combat in Afghanistan in 2008.

In order to obtain access to this secure military facility members of the media should contact Major Kathy Oliver, 27th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Officer.

Background:

27th Division and 27th BCT History:

The 27th Division has a long and honored history with engagements in both World War I and World War II. World War II Veterans at the reunion served in military engagements in the Pacific. The 27th Division served in the Pacific from February 1942 until December 1945, distinguished as the longest serving National Guard unit in World War II. In 1967, the 27th Division was deactivated and reformed as a brigade.

The New York National Guard was organized into what would later become the 27th Infantry Division in 1912. In June 1916 the New York division was sent to the Mexican border until March 1917. It was recalled in preparation for service in Europe.

Designated as the 27th Division, it was mobilized in July 1917, and by late June of the following year was in France.

It engaged in heavy fighting during the Great Somme Push. After heavy losses, the 27th was placed in reserve for six days. Once back in action, it closed on the heels of the retiring Germans. The 27th, in conjunction with British forces and the 30th Division cracked the Hindenburg Line.

The 27th was again federalized in October 1940. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, elements of the division boarded ships for Hawaii in late February 1942. On November 20, 1943, the 27th captured the coral atoll of Makin. Elements of the 27th also occupied Majuro atoll on February 1, 1944 and assaulted Eniwetok on February 19th. In June 1944, the division landed on Saipan, and in April 1945 landed on Okinawa. It returned home in December 1945 as the longest serving National Guard unit in World War II.

In February 1955 the 27th became the 27th Armored Division. In 1967, the 27th Division was deactivated and reformed as a brigade of the 50th Armored Division.

It became a separate "round-out" brigade to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the Guard nationwide was reorganized and the 27th became one of 15 separate "enhanced" brigades.

In the summer of 2001, the 27th Brigade conducted an intense training rotation at the U.S. Army's Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA. Nearly 4,000 Soldiers participated in the largest single exercise for the New York National Guard since World War II. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 struck within weeks of the unit's return home.

Following extensive state and federal active duty for homeland defense, subordinate units of the 27th deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2005. In 2006, following the return of most New York National Guard units from duty in Iraq, the New York Army National Guard was "re-set" and the 27th was reorganized as an Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The 27th IBCT was mobilized in January 2008 for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The 27th IBCT transferred mission authority in December, 2008 and returned home to New York by early January, 2009.

Reunion Events Timeline

  • 0730-0930 Breakfast at Double Tree
  • 0945 Shuttle to Armory
  • 1000-1115 Static Displays around Armory
  • 1130 Memorial Service in front of Armory
  • 1200 Shuttle to Double Tree
  • 1230 Lunch at Double Tree
  • 1400-1500 General Meeting
  • 1700 Hospitality Suite opens
  • 1800 Cash Bar in Dining Room opens
  • 1900 Evening meal is served
  • 2000 Presentations (Guest of Honor speech, swearing in of new