The North Carolina National Guard celebrated the service and sacrifices made by the veterans of the 30th Infantry Division “Old Hickory” during a Veteran Recognition Day, at the Joint Force Headquarters July 24.
More than 20 WWII 30th Infantry Division veterans from across the country celebrated the service of the soldiers and the sacrifices of their families during WWII. The unit exemplified the dedication and patriotism of the Citizen-Soldier during WWII.
The 30th ID was named after the famed citizen-soldier and president, Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson who was born near the North/South Carolina border. The 30ID would extol that same Andrew Jackson toughness on battlefields across the world.
S.L.A. Marshall, the Army’s official WWII historian called the 30th Infantry Division “the Finest Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations.” Six soldiers from the 30 ID were awarded the Medal of Honor during WWII. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the National Guard has repeatedly answered the call to duty in defense of our country.