Recent history 32nd Infantry Division (United States)

the division recreated within army national guard after end of second world war. in 1954, comprised 127th, 128th, , 426th infantry regiments, 120th, 121st, 126th, , 129th field artillery battalions, 132nd antiaircraft artillery battalion, 132nd tank battalion, , other units, including 724th engineer battalion.

on 6 september 1961, heightening of tensions due berlin crisis, 32nd infantry division alerted impending call-up. commanding general, major general herbert a. smith notified few days later division report on 15 october 1961 fort lewis, washington, active duty. 21 years after activation date world war ii, @ time lt. col. herbert a. smith had been commander of 2nd battalion, 128th infantry. unit served until august 1962 @ fort lewis, washington, , assigned strategic army command. division began training replacements 4th infantry , 2nd armored divisions @ fort lewis, washington, , fort hood, texas, in case deployed overseas reinforcements seventh army in germany. returned wisconsin without being deployed overseas.

the 32nd division (as u.s. infantry divisions @ time) organized in pentomic division, composed of 5 line (rifle) companies, combat support company, , headquarters company. 1940 until 1959, divisions had contained 3 regiments. divisional structure found unwieldy , eliminated in 1963.

reorganized brigade combat team

in 1967, 32nd division—by made entirely of wisconsin units—was inactivated , reorganized non-divisional 32nd separate infantry brigade. in 1971, brigade converted mechanized infantry. in 1997, 32nd reorganized separate divisional brigade, reducing in process staff of headquarters 300 down 85.

after converted light infantry, army officials designated 32nd enhanced brigade, eligible higher level of funding , other resources national guard brigades receive. changing brigade s shape fit profile of light brigade meant significant benefits unit , state, including more us$6 million year in additional federal funds operate units , provide training , logistics support. meant increase in number of physical assets, such trucks , scoop loaders, available state in emergency.

major changes in structure of 32nd infantry brigade included:

one new infantry battalion—the 2nd battalion, 128th infantry—was formed fill brigade s three-battalion infantry complement.
the 173rd engineer battalion , 1st battalion, 632nd armor, deactivated. similar or related missions assigned new, smaller units—the 32nd engineer company , troop e, 105th cavalry, light reconnaissance unit.
the 1st battalion, 120th field artillery converted 55,000 pounds (25,000 kg) 155 mm self-propelled howitzer more transported 4,475 pounds (2,030 kg) 105 mm towed howitzer.
the brigade added intelligence unit, 232nd military intelligence company.
new detachments formed in 132nd support battalion provide transportation support brigade s 3 infantry battalions.

the 32nd brigade headquarters moved madison camp douglas , wausau, locations more central brigade s statewide units.

the changing mission of 32nd separate infantry brigade (mech.) mechanized light infantry brought many changes maneuver area training equipment site (mates) @ fort mccoy. 32nd part of wisconsin army national guard. mates owned , operated state of wisconsin , wisconsin army guard tasked support 32nd s equipment needs. mates required bring 32nd equipment not necessary light infantry, such m-1 tanks , m113 armored personnel carriers (apcs), army standards can re-distributed other units.

in february 2009, 32nd brigade deployed 3,200 members on fourteen-month deployment iraq, largest deployment since world war ii.