United States Army 63rd Infantry Division (Blood and Fire)

U. S. ARMY 63RD INFANTRY DIVISION (BLOOD AND FIRE) -  The 63d Infantry Division ("Blood and Fire") was an infantry division of the United States Army that fought in Europe during World War II.  After the war it was inactivated, but later reactivated as a command in the United States Army Reserve.

Motto: "Blood and Fire," inspired by a quote of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.  At the Casablanca Conference in 1943, shortly before the activation of the 63d Infantry Division, Churchill promised to make the enemy "bleed and burn in expiation of their crimes."  The slogan was adopted by Brigadier General Louis E. Hibbs, the division's first commander, who designed the shoulder sleeve insignia.

World War II

• Activated:  June 15, 1943
• Overseas:  November 25,1944
• Campaigns: Rhineland, Central Europe
• Days of combat: 119
• Prisoners taken: 21,542

Awards

• 7 Presidential Unit Citations
• 1 French Croix de Guerre with Palm – 254th Infantry Regiment
• 16 Meritorious Unit Commendations
• 2 Medals of Honor (First Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr., and Staff Sergeant John R. Crews
• 9 Distinguished Service Crosses
• 1 Distinguished Service Medal
• 455 Silver Stars
• 3 Legions of Merit
• 29 Soldier's Medals
• 5,313 Bronze Stars
• 68 Air Medals
• 4,999 Purple Heart Medal
• 1 British Military Cross
• 2 British Military Medal
• 2 French Legion of Honor
• 15 French Croix de Guerre individual awards

WWII Casualties

• Total battle casualties: 4,502
• Killed in action: 861
• Wounded in action: 3,326
• Missing in action: 98
• Prisoner of war: 219