25th ID History

[The Patriot]

The 25th Infantry Division was formed on 1 October 1941 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Its lineage can be traced to the Hawaiian Division, which defended Hawaii from 1921 to 1941. The division received its baptism of fire when Japanese forces attacked Oahu on 7 December 1941. In November 1942, the 25th Infantry Division was ordered into action against the Japanese in the Solomon Islands. Due to their superior performance during operations in the Solomons, the division earned the nickname "Tropic Lightning". The division also took part in the liberation of the Philippine Islands, landing on the island of Luzon in January 1945 and fought for 165 days without rest. After World War II, Tropic Lightning performed occupation duty in Japan.

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