History of the 86th Blackhawk Division
YEARS 1944 1945 1946
1944 | 1945 | 1946
The 86th Infantry Division, also known as the “Blackhawk Division,” played a significant role during World War II. Named after the Sauk leader Chief Black Hawk, the Division was renowned for its versatility and effectiveness in combat.
Initially stationed at Camp Cooke, the Division moved to Camp San Luis Obispo, California, on October 1, 1944, to undergo Army Ground Forces Amphibious Training Maneuvers. After completing their training, they returned to Camp Cooke on November 23, 1944, and subsequently departed for Camp Myles Standish on December 4, 1944, arriving there on February 5, 1945.
The 86th Division participated in critical operations across the European Theater, including battles in Germany. After the European campaigns, they briefly trained at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, from June 21 to August 11, 1945, in preparation for deployment to the Pacific Theater. Departing San Francisco on August 24, 1945, they were en route to the Philippines when Japan surrendered.
Upon landing on Luzon, the Division was tasked with operations across the island, including guarding Japanese prisoners of war at Corregidor Island. Even after Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, sporadic resistance from Japanese holdouts and Hukbalahap guerrillas persisted, posing risks to the Division’s soldiers. Notably, as late as October 1946, remnants of Japanese forces continued to resist.
The 86th Division was also slated to be part of Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of Japan, landing alongside the 5th and 44th Infantry Divisions to reinforce the U.S. First Army. This operation was averted following the use of atomic bombs, which expedited Japan’s surrender.
The Prologue
Departed Boston Port – February 19, 1945
Arrived La Havre France – March 3 1945
Depart La Havre Area – March 14, 1945
The Battles
The Rhine – March 6 – April 4, 1945
The Ruhr – April 7 – April 16, 1945
Bavaria – April 11 – May 8, 1945
The Victory
German Prisoners Captured .. 53,354
German Territory Conquered.. 220 miles
Rivers Forged… Bigge, Altmuhz, Isar, Danube, Mittel-Isar, Inn, Salzach
The Epilogue
Depart Germany – May 10, 1945
Depart La Havre – June 7, 1945
Arrive New York – June 17, 1945
Presently the 86th Blackhawk Division is a Reserve Training Unit stationed at Ft McCoy, WI.
BLACKHAWKS IN THE NEWS
Legacy and Memorials
The 86th Infantry Division veterans formed an Association post-war to maintain camaraderie and preserve their shared history. This group hosted annual reunions, celebrating the bonds forged during wartime service.
In the 1980s, artist and Blackhawk veteran Dick Behrends contributed significantly to the Division’s legacy. Drawing inspiration from his grandfather, a sculptor for the Field Museum in Chicago, Behrends created wartime illustrations and later produced enduring works of art commemorating his fellow soldiers.
As President of the Blackhawk Association, Behrends spearheaded a project to create a life-size bronze sculpture of an 86th Infantryman. Using his son as the model, Behrends completed the memorial with funding from over 180 donors, raising $127,000 in just six months. The memorial stands at Camp San Luis Obispo, where the Division underwent amphibious training in 1944. Dedicated during the final Blackhawk reunion, this statue symbolizes the sacrifices and unity of the Division. Learn more about Dick Behrends here. (open in a new window)
The Division’s connection to Senator Robert “Bob” Dole also stands out. Dole, who suffered grievous wounds while serving in Italy, was honored with a commemorative sculpture by Behrends, depicting him during his service in 1945. This statue resides at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas.
The Blackhawk Division’s legacy extends beyond its wartime achievements, encapsulated in its memorials and the enduring spirit of its veterans. These tributes ensure that future generations remember the courage, sacrifice, and camaraderie of the 86th Infantry Division.
View or download a speech written by Donald J Hetzler-Blackhawk Veteran-Sept 2008 Blackhawk Association Reunion.
A Hockey team is named
“The Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League indirectly derive their name from Black Hawk. Their first owner, Frederic McLaughlin, was a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during World War I, nicknamed the “Black Hawk Division”. In 1926, McLaughlin would be granted a franchise by the National Hockey League, which he would put in his hometown of Chicago. McLaughlin named the hockey team “Blackhawks” in honor of his military unit.”
McLaughlin with his team (The Blackhawks) and the Stanley Cup
Major Frederic McLaughlin, 86th Division AEF
Additional Resources
For the full history of the 86th Division, read more here,
and read Black Hawks over the Danube: The history of the 86th Infantry Division in World War II by Richard Arthur Briggs. https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/220/
Life as a Blackhawk as told by some of the men who lived it
Veteran history
My dad Warren Wayne Brandon was a machine gun squad sergeant in Company D, 341st Infantry of the Blackhawk Division in European and Pacific theaters.
Darryl Brandon
I interviewed my dad in 2003 for the Library of Congress Veteran’s History Project and submitted the video and manuscript to the Library of Congress. The manuscript is attached and below is the link to the video at the Library of Conrgess.
https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.11705/
Thank you,
Darryl Brandon