Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Statue of Liberty Division

World War II

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012

1. The Statue of Liberty Division Marker

Inscription. The 77th Infantry Division trained at Fort Jackson in 1942 and fought on Guam, Leyte, Kerama Retto, Ie Shima and Okinawa. Returning to Cebu, they took 6,500 Japanese prisoners. They then returned to occupy Hokkaido, Japan where the division was deactivated in 1946. The division suffered a total of 3,201 killed in action, 10,531 wounded and 133 missing in action.

Liberty Does Not Come Cheap

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 33° 59.851′ N, 81° 1.277′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker is on Blossom Street near Barnwell Street, on the right when traveling west. Located in the triangle formed by Blossom, Barnwell and Devine Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Memorial Youth Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Woman's Club of Columbia (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Boys of Richland County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mexican Border and World War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); A.S. Salley House (approx. ¼ mile away); Gibbes Green (approx.

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0.3 miles away); Cain- Matthews- Tompkins House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gladden Home Site (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Regarding The Statue of Liberty Division. The "Statue of Liberty Division" was reviewed by England's Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt after it was reactivated here in 1942. The 77th fought in World War II Pacific campaigns of Guam, Leyte, Kerama Retto Islands, and Okinawa. It was inactivated after occupying Hokkaido, Japan, in 1946. War correspondent Ernie Pyle was killed in action with the 77th.

(77th Infantry Division Association, Inc.)

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. ... the relationship, study marker shown.

Also see . . .
1. 77th Sustainment Brigade (United States), From Wikipedia,. The 77th Sustainment Brigade is a unit of the United States Army that inherited the lineage of the 77th Infantry Division ("Statue of Liberty"), which served with distinction in World War I and World War II... (Submitted on March 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

2. Battle of Guam (1944), From Wikipedia.

The Statue of Liberty Division Marker, seen near Barnwell and Devine Streets, along Blossom Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012

2. The Statue of Liberty Division Marker, seen near Barnwell and Devine Streets, along Blossom Street

The Second Battle of Guam (July 21 — August 10, 1944) was the American capture of the Japanese held island of Guam, a United States territory (in the Mariana Islands) during the Pacific campaign of World War II. The 77th Infantry Division had a more difficult landing. Lacking amphibious vehicles, they had to wade ashore from the edge of the reef where they were dropped by their landing craft. The men stationed in the two beachheads were pinned down by vicious Japanese fire, making initial progress inland quite slow.... (Submitted on March 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

3. Battle of Leyte, From Wikipedia. Fall of Ormoc - ... The 77th Division's 305th, 306th, and 307th Infantry Regiments came ashore unopposed although naval shipping was subjected to kamikaze air attacks. The arrival of the 77th Division proved decisive. This enabled the 7th Division to resume its march north, and the enemy defenders were quickly squeezed between the two forces. Gen. Suzuki ordered the Burauen task force to disengage and cross the mountains to help hold Ormoc Valley. Only small groups of these exhausted and malnourished troops reached the west coast in time to be of any great use. ... (Submitted on March 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

4. Cebu, From Wikipedia,. served

The Statue of Liberty Division Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 11, 2012

3. The Statue of Liberty Division Monument

as a Japanese base during their occupation in World War II which began with the landing of Japanese soldiers in April 1942. (Submitted on March 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

5. Battle of Okinawa, From Wikipedia. The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg,was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II.... In these preliminary operations, the 77th Infantry Division suffered 27 dead and 81 wounded, while Japanese dead and captured numbered over 650. The operation provided a protected anchorage for the fleet and eliminated the threat from suicide boats. (Submitted on March 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

77th Infantry Division Shoulder Patch image. Click for full size.

Photographed By U.S. Government

4. 77th Infantry Division Shoulder Patch

Close up of the statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012

5. Close up of the statue

Plaque at the base of the statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anna Inbody, March 28, 2012

6. Plaque at the base of the statue

In memory of William Bratton Steele Chandler, Jr. and his beloved scouts. Scout Executive: 1944 ~ 1975. Service above self

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,232 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 27, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on March 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on March 28, 2012, by Anna Inbody of Columbia, South Carolina.