The 102nd Infantry Division was activated on September 15, 1942 and immediately entered training during the Louisiana Maneuvers. Throughout 1942, 1943 and most of 1944, the Division engaged in numerous training maneuvers while it prepared for overseas duty. In September, 1944, the 102nd arrived in Cherbourg France and moved to a training area for its final preparations.

In October and November of 1944, several Regiments of the Division were detached to support missions of the 30th Infantry Division and the 29th Infantry Division and the 2nd Armored Division. By mid November, the Division was reunited and sent forward to the Wurm River. The Division began their offensive towards the Roer RIver on November 29 and captured two key towns along its banks.

The Division then pulled back and began training for offensive river crossings near the Wurm River. In February 1945, the Division crossed the Roer River, captured thre vital towns and established a bridgehead across the Niers Canal. Finally the Division reached the Rhine River and established a blocking position. In early April, the Division crossed the Rhine in support of the 5th Armored Division. After mopping up several pockets of resistance, the Division crossed the Weser River and began their advance on the Elbe River.

Once at the Elbe, the 102nd Relieved the 35th Infantry Division and established several defensive perimeters until the end of the war. The 102nd briefly served occupation duty in Germany but returned to the United States shortly after the war and was deactivated. From the late 50's until the early 90's, the 102nd Served as a Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) and a Regional Support Command (RSC). In 1996, the 102nd was consolidated into the 89th RSC and deactivated as a Division.