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249th FA Bn
The 27th Infantry Division arrived in Hawaii, 21 May 1942, to defend the outer islands from amphibious attack. Elements of the division were among one of five divisions (among the 3rd, 9th, Americal and the 2nd Armored Divisions) to engage in offensive combat operations during the last months of 1942. They first saw action in the attack and capture of Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, 21–24 November 1943. Two battalions of the 106th Regiment participated in the attack on Eniwetok Atoll, 19–26 February 1944, returning to Oahu in March. During this mission, one battalion landed unopposed on Majuro Island, 1 February, and completed its seizure, 3 February. The division began preparations for the Marianas operations, 15 March. On D-day plus 1, 16 June 1944, elements landed at night on Saipan to support the Second and Fourth Marine Divisions. A bridgehead was established and Aslito Airfield captured, 18 June. Fighting continued throughout June. During a pitched battle, 7 July, Japanese overran elements of the division in a banzai attack, but organized resistance was crushed the next day. During the months of July and August, the 27th cleaned out isolated pockets in the mountains and cliffs of Saipan.
Beginning in the middle of August, the division moved to the New Hebrides for rest and rehabilitation. On 25 March 1945, the 27th sailed from Espiritu Santo, arriving at Okinawa, 9 April 1945. The Division participated in the XXIV Corps general attack, 19 April 1945, securing a dominating ridge line south of Machinato and Kakazu. Machinato Airfield was captured, 28 April, after a severe struggle. On 1 May, the division was relieved by the 1st Marine Division and attached to the Island Command for garrison duty. Tori Shima was seized, 12 May, without opposition. The 27th attacked from the south end of Ishikawa Isthmus to sweep the northern sector of Okinawa. The enemy fought bitterly on Onnatake Hill from 23 May until 2 June, before losing the strong point. After a mopping-up period, the division left Okinawa, 7 September 1945, moved to Japan and occupied Niigata and ***ushima Prefectures. A while into the Okinawa campaign the 374th QM truck company, of the 27th Qm's were sent to Tinian to help the air force units by delivering bombs from the beach to the airfield. It ended up helping to deliver the atomic bomb to the Enola Gay.
The Division was reformed as a National Guard formation after the war, and from 1954 to 1967 was designated the 27th Armored Division. In 1986, the SSI of the unit was amended for use by the 27th Infantry Brigade.
The 27th Brigade of the New York ARNG carries on the lineage and history of the 27ID. It is one of the four brigade combat teams that make up the maneuver elements of the 42nd Infantry Division. Elements of the 27th Brigade have fought in Iraq, though it has not yet deployed as a complete unit.
The 27th Brigade has been alerted to prepare for movement to Afghanistan in early 2008 to train ANA troops and conduct combat operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda elements.
