   the 103d infantry division ("cactus division") was a unit of the united states army in world war ii. ==world war ii== *campaigns: ardennes-alsace, rhineland, central europe *awards: distinguished service cross (united states)-12; distinguished service medal (united states)-1; silver star-299; lm-3; sm-14; bsm-2,669; am-92 *commanders: maj. gen. charles c. haffner, jr. (november 1942 â january 1945), maj. gen. anthony c. mcauliffe (januaryâjuly 1945), brig. gen. john n. robinson (august 1945 to inactivation). ===combat chronicle=== the 103d infantry division was activated on 15 november 1942, and after nearly two years of training, departed the united states for europe on 11 september 1944. the division arrived at marseilles, france, 20 october 1944. it relieved the 3d division at chevry on 8 november, arrived at docelles (vosges) on 9 novembre, and attacked west of st. diÃ©, 16 november, in its drive through the vosges mountains. meeting heavy resistance all the way, it crossed the meurthe river, took st. diÃ©, 23 november and captured diefenbach on 29 november and selestat on 4 december. the division crossed the zintzel river at griesbach, 10 december 1944. pushing through climbach, the 103d crossed the laut
Infantry_divisions_of_the_United_States_Army Military_units_and_formations_disestablished_in_1963 Military_units_and_formations_established_in_1942 United_States_Army_divisions_during_World_War_II