The 4th Infantry Division’s motto is steadfast and loyal, which is portrayed in its other name, Ivy. Ivy is derived from the Roman numeral IV and reflects the division’s core values of doggedness and dependability. It is a division of the United States Army with three brigade combat teams, an aviation unit, a sustainment unit, and an artillery brigade. The 4th Infantry division is also composed of a headquarters and headquarters brigade and is based out of Fort Carson in Colorado. The 4th Infantry Division (4th ID) has also gone by the term iron horse. This is because the division is known for its tremendous speed and virile power.
The 4th ID has seen combat action from as early as the World War I. They have also fought in World War II, the Cold War, the Vietnam War as well as the recent global war on terror, taking part in several campaigns and operations all across the world. The division was constituted in North Carolina to be commanded by George Cameron, who at the time was a major general. It was there at Greene in North Carolina that the division took up its nickname, Ivy. At this time, the United States had just declared war and entered the First World War, and this organization was part of their buildup to fight along with Britain and France. The strength of the division during world war one was upwards of 30,000 troops. These men saw action in the St. Mihiel Offensive, which was targeted at reducing and altogether eradicating German presence in St. Mihiel. They also took part in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which by all accounts was the last great battle of the First World War. More than 2,500 troops were killed in action during the war, while over 9,500 troops were wounded.
The 4th Infantry Division also fought in World War II. They were organized in Fort Benning in Georgia on the 1st of June, 1940. Major General Walter Prosser was assigned to command the division, and the division was transferred to Camp Gordon, Georgia in the same month that the United States officially entered the war; this was in December, 1941. On the 26th of January, 1944, the 4th ID arrived England now under the command of Major General Raymond Barton ready to engage the opposition. Of note is the division’s participation in the Normandy landings, where they fought against German forces that held the entire coast of France. At the end of the war, about 22,600 casualties were recorded. Among this number, over 4,000 were killed, 17,000 injured, 400 missing in action and 700 taken as prisoners of war.
The 4th Infantry Division participated in the Iraq War as a follow-up force. The initial plan was for the division to be part of the invasion, but they were delayed by the Turkish parliament who hadn’t given their permission. Some of the significant operations they participated in are: Operations Desert Scorpion, Ivy Serpent, and Red Dawn.