Memory of

The 83rd Infantry Division
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World War I

The 83rd Infantry Division was originally formed at Camp Sherman, Ohio on 13 August 1917. The majority of the men came from Ohio with some from West Virginia. The division emblem was identified by black triangular patch with gold superimposed Letters, O, H, I, O – The division was then made up of four regiments the 329th, 330th,331st and the 332nd. In June 1918, the division went to France where it was designated a Depot Division and furnished replacements for other divisions that had high casualties in combat. Some detached units earned commendations for their efforts in the Aisne-Marne, Meuse-Aisne and the Meuse-Argonne battles. One regiment the 332nd, with attached medical and supply units, was sent to the Italian front in July 1918 in response to urgent requests from the Italian Government. The 332nd was the only U.S. Army unit to be sent to the Italian front during the war. Its principal mission was to build up the morale of the war weary Italian army, while depressing the morale of the Austrians army. It accomplished this by creating the impression that a large force of Americans had reached that front and was preparing to enter the battle. The regiment was first stationed near Lake Garda, where it trained in mountain warfare. Necessary due to the entire region was mostly mountainous. Early in October the regiment moved to Treviso, behind the Piave River Front, where it was assigned to the Italian 31st Division. In a grand scheme to deceive the enemy of it’s size, the doughboys staged a series of marches. Each battalion, with different articles of uniform and equipment, left the city by separate road, circulated during daylight hours in exposed positions, and then returned inconspicuously to Treviso after nightfall.  Click Here for more!