Research Catalog

Title

The Big Red One : America's legendary 1st Infantry Division / James Scott Wheeler.

Author

Wheeler, James Scott,

Publication

• Lawrence, Kansas : University Press of Kansas, [2017]
• ©2017

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Cantigny First Division Foundation.

Description

xx, 682 pages : illustrations, maps; 25 cm.

Summary

• "'No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great--Duty First!' For a century, from the Western Front of World War I to the wars of the 21st century, this motto has spurred the soldiers who wear the shoulder patch bearing the Big Red One. In this comprehensive history of America's 1st Infantry Division, James Scott Wheeler chronicles its major combat engagements and peacetime duties during its legendary service to the nation. The Centennial Edition adds new chapters on peacekeeping missions in the Balkans (1995-2004) and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (2001-2017), along with a new introduction and conclusion. The oldest continuously serving division in the U.S. Army, the 'Fighting First' has consistently played a crucial role in America's foreign wars. It was the first American division to see combat and achieve victory in World War I. One of the few intact divisions between the wars, it was the first army unit to train for amphibious warfare. During World War II, the First Division spearheaded the invasions of North Africa and Sicily before leading the Normandy invasion at Omaha Beach and fighting on deep into Germany. By war's end, it had developed successful combined-arms, regimental combat teams and made advances in night operations. Wheeler describes the First Division's critical role in postwar Germany and as the only combat division in Europe during the early Cold War. The division fought valiantly in Vietnam for five trying years while pioneering 'air-mobile' operations. It led the liberation of Kuwait in Desert Storm. Along the way, Wheeler illuminates the division's organizational evolution, its consistently remarkable commanders and leaders, and its equally remarkable soldiers. Meticulously detailed and engagingly written, The Big Red One nimbly combines historical narrative with astute analysis of the unit's successes and failures, so that its story reflects the larger chronicle of America's military experience over the past century--Provided by publisher.
• "A thoroughly revised and updated edition of the book first published by UPK in 2007. What's new: Wheeler brings the history of the division up to date. The new chapters cover the peacekeeping missions in the Balkans (1995-2004) and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (2001-2017). All of the earlier chapters have been edited to reduce their length by roughly 1500-2000 words each. The introduction and conclusion are new, and Paul Herbert has revised his foreword"--Provided by publisher.

Series Statement

• Cantigny military history series
• Modern war studies

Uniform Title

• Cantigny military history series.
• Modern war studies.

Subjects

• United States
• Military history
• 1900-2099
• History
• United States > Army > Infantry Division, 1st > History
• United States > History, Military > 20th century
• United States > History, Military > 21st century

Genre/Form

• History.
• Military history.

Note

• Published in collaboration with the Cantigny First Division Foundation and the Cantigny military history series (edited by Paul H. Herbert).

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 573-636) and index.

ISBN

• 9780700624522
• 070062452X

LCCN

2017007059

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library