The 16th Division was an infantry division of the United States Army raised during World War I. It was the second formation of that name raised in the United States, the first being renamed to 37th Division in 1917.

History

The division was organized in 1918 as a regular army and national army division for World War I, and was commanded by Major General

David C. Shanks David C. Shanks (April 6, 1861 - April 10, 1940) was a career officer in the United States Army. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he attained the rank of major general, and was a veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine� ...

, with Stephen J. Chamberlin, later a lieutenant general, as division Chief of Staff. Its two Infantry brigades, the 31st and 32nd, were commanded by Peter Weimer Davison and Walter Cowen Short. The division's 16th Field Artillery Brigade was commanded by

Daniel W. Hand Daniel W. Hand (October 14, 1869 – September 28, 1945) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Pancho Villa Expedition, and World War I, Hand attained the rank of briga ...

. The Armistice occurred before the 16th Division departed for France; under the command of

Guy Carleton Guy Carleton may refer to: *Guy Carleton (bishop) (1605–1685), Anglican bishop * Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (1724–1808), Irish soldier and early Governor of Canada * Guy Carleton (general), (1857–1946), United States Army major genera ...

, it was briefly considered for inclusion in American Expeditionary Force Siberia, but that conflict also ended before the division could embark. It did not go overseas and demobilized in March 1919 at

Camp Kearny Camp Kearny was a U.S. military base (first Army, later Navy) in San Diego County, California, on the site of the current Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. It operated from 1917 to 1946. The base was named in honor of Brigadier General Stephen W ...

, California. Because the 16th Division was in existence for such a brief period, it never designed or adopted a

shoulder sleeve insignia A shoulder sleeve insignia (often abbreviated SSI) is an embroidered patch worn on some uniforms of the United States Army. It is used by major formations of the U.S. Army; each formation has a unique formation patch. The U.S. Army is unique amon ...

distinctive unit insignia A distinctive unit insignia (DUI) is a metallic Heraldry, heraldic badge or device worn by soldiers in the United States Army. The DUI design is derived from the coat of arms authorized for a unit. DUIs may also be called "distinctive insignia" (D ...

References

External links

16th Division Association
{{DEFAULTSORT:016 United States Army divisions of World War I Military units and formations established in 1917 Military units and formations disestablished in 1919