H. Res. 494 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

December 2, 2009. 

Whereas the 30th Infantry Division of the United States 

Army was first activated in October 1917 and originally 

consisted of National Guard units from North Carolina, 

South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee; 

Whereas the 30th Infantry Division was nicknamed Old 

Hickory in honor of General and President Andrew Jackson; 

Whereas, when the 30th Infantry Division was reorganized at 

Fort Jackson in 1941 for service in World War II, the 

division included two North Carolina National Guard infantry regiments, one Tennessee National Guard infantry 

regiment, and other elements; 

Whereas, during World War II, the 30th Infantry Division 

landed at Normandy on June 14, 1944, participated in 

the advance across Northern France, joined the invasion 

of the German Rhineland, defended the Ardennes-Alsace, 

and fought to the final defeat of Germany in May 1945; 

Whereas the 823rd and the 743rd Tank Destroyer Battalions 

were periodically attached to the 30th Division throughout its campaign in Europe; 
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Whereas the 30th Infantry Division played a key role in the 

breakout of the Allied forces from Normandy at St. Lo 

and the subsequent advance across Northern France; 

Whereas the 30th Infantry Division is remembered for its 

role in the defense of Mortain and St. Barthelmy, 

France, and Hill 317 against a German counterattack in 

August 1944, actions in which three infantry regiments 

of the division (the 117th, 119th, and 120th) and a part 

of a fourth regiment and other elements of the division 

participated; 

Whereas the 30th Infantry Division also played a key role 

stopping the German advance in the Battle of the Bulge 

and recaptured Malmedy and Stavelot and its vital bridge 

over the Ambleve River; 

Whereas, in the report prepared for General Dwight D. Eisenhower rating the American combat units that fought 

in the European Theater, the Army’s official historian, 

S.L.A. Marshall, rated the 30th Division as first among 

the infantry divisions that had performed the most efficient and consistent battle service, writing that ‘‘It was 

the combined judgments of the approximately 35 historical officers who had worked on the records and in the 

field that the 30th had merited this distinction. It was 

our finding that the 30th has been outstanding in three 

operations and we could consistently recommend it for citation on any of these occasions. It was further found 

that it had in no single instance performed discreditably 

or weakly when considering against the average of the 

Theater and that in no single operation had it carried 

less than its share of the burden or looked bad when 

compared to the forces on its flanks. We were especially 
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impressed with the fact that it consistently achieved results without undue wastage of its men.’’; 

Whereas, in recognition of its exemplary service during World 

War II, the Headquarters Company of the 30th Infantry 

Division was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the French Croix de Guerre; and 

Whereas the proud fighting tradition of the 30th Infantry Division is perpetuated by the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard: Now, 

therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes 

the exemplary service of the soldiers of the 30th Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II. 

Attest: 

Clerk.