Forty Years Ago This Week: 22nd Infantry Division - Sư đoàn 22 Bộ binh

22nd Infantry Division Patch, RVNHS Archive.

       Forty years ago this week, battles throughout the central highlands and 2^nd Military Region of the Republic of Vietnam were raging. In the center of these was the 22^nd Infantry Division. Many soldiers from the division would fall in an attempt to hold back the onslaught. In this posting, RVNHS would like to highlight the men and women of the 22^nd Infantry Division, and their service for the republic.

 

Two soldiers of the 22nd Infantry Divsion in front of

the 1st Battalion 47th Regiment Headquarters, 1960s, RVNHS Archive.

     The 22^nd Infantry Division was established in 1959. It was formed from the 12^th and 14^th Divisions, which ceased to exist upon the 22^nd Infantry Division`s creation. The operating area of the division changed slightly between 1959 and 1975, but remained in the 2^nd Military Region, with headquarters in Kontum and Ba Gi at different times. The order of battle also changed for the division over the years. The 40^th, 41^st, 42^nd, and 47th regiments mostly served under the 22^nd Infantry Division, but on occasion regiments were assigned to other divisions, namely the 23^rd, or operated as part of tactical zones, or as independent units. At its height, the division included several thousand personnel, with headquarters, the 22nd Artillery Regiment, 22nd Engineering Regiment, and the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment in addition to the infantry units.

     Included in this posting are some photos of 22^nd Infantry Division personnel from the RVNHS Archive.

Two sergeants of the 22nd Infantry Division,

note the "Y" nametape and different placement of rank insignia, 1960s, RVNHS Archive.

Three soldiers of the 22nd Infantry Division, 1960s, RVNHS Archive.