In the 1920’s the reactivated 26th Division was formed entirely from units of the Massachusetts National Guard. As World War II began the YD was activated in early 1941. In December of 1941, the YD completed a year of training at posts in the United States, and returned to Massachusetts on December 6th 1941, prepared to muster out. But the next day’s attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan meant the war would continue, and enlistments were extended in anticipation of an overseas deployment.
In 1942 the Yankee Division patrolled the north Atlantic coast to prevent the landing of enemy spies and saboteurs. In August of 1944, the 26th Division boarded transports in Hoboken, New Jersey. After arriving in France the YD was deployed as a strategic reserve in northern France. In October of 1944, the 26th Division, now led by Major General Willard S. Paul, relieved the 4th Armored Division in the front lines of Salonnes-Moncourt. The YD then participated in the Third Army offensive of October and November, seizing Vic-sur-Seille, Marimont, Dieuze, and Sarre Union. In early December the YD assisted in the capture of the fortified city of Metz.
During the Metz assault, the 26th Division became part of Patton’s famed Battle of the Bulge turning movement, where his forces broke off their east to west attack, advanced north more than 125 miles in driving snow, and immediately assaulted the flank of the German “bulge.” During this attack the YD was on the right flank of the 4th Armored Division’s well-known drive to relieve Bastogne. Overcoming stiff German resistance, the Yankee Division seized Arsdorf on Christmas Day, crossed the Wiltz River and seized the town of Wiltz.
Following the Battle of the Bulge, the YD took up defensive positions in the city of Saarlauten. In March of 1945, the YD resumed its attack, and crossed the Rhine at Oppenheim on the 26th. The YD, in concert with the 11th Armored Division, now pushed rapidly across Germany. By the 15th of April the division had reached the Third Army restraining line at Hoff. The 26th now attacked south, pushing into Austria and assisting in the capture of Lintz. When the war ended on May 7th, the YD had pushed to the Vlatava River in Czechoslovakia.
After occupation duty, the division returned home in 1946 and resumed service as part of the Massachusetts National Guard. During the Cold War, the Yankee Division, now comprised of units of the Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut National Guards, was deployed during several state emergencies and natural disasters while continuing to train for its wartime mission. With the post-Cold War reductions of the U.S. military, the YD was deactivated. In August 1993 past and present members of the division gathered at the Massachusetts state house for the formal furling of the division’s colors.
