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July 18, 2022
Today in Texas History
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
On this day in 1917, the United States War Department issued orders mobilizing the 36th Infantry Division (known as the "Texas Division" or the "T-Patchers") at Camp Bowie in Tarrant County. The division, initially composed mostly of Texas National Guard troops, fought in World War I and again in World War II.
During the latter conflict, one unit of the division, which became known as the "lost battalion," was captured at the fall of Java. The men of the battalion spent the war in Japanese prison camps, and many died building the Burma Railroad.
When the War Department made national guard units available to the governors of the states in 1946, the 36th Division was reactivated. The 36th was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but was eliminated by January 1968. In 1946 veterans of the unit founded the 36th Division Association.
During the latter conflict, one unit of the division, which became known as the "lost battalion," was captured at the fall of Java. The men of the battalion spent the war in Japanese prison camps, and many died building the Burma Railroad.
When the War Department made national guard units available to the governors of the states in 1946, the 36th Division was reactivated. The 36th was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but was eliminated by January 1968. In 1946 veterans of the unit founded the 36th Division Association.