17-10-6 Garand Picture of the Day 4th Infantry Division

[Mark in Rochester]

12 September 1944, COL Lanham CO 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Division (first Army unit that entered Germany) talks with MAJ. GEN. Raymond O. Barton, C.O. 4th Infantry

MAJ. GEN. Raymond O. Barton commanded the 4th Infantry Division from 3 July 1942 to 26 December 1944 and led them into battle from D-Day at Utah Beach, to the Liberation of Paris, and into the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest before leaving the command due to health problems on December 27, 1944.

During the war he became friends with Ernest Hemingway who sought his favor as the war correspondent assigned to the division and the two corresponded after.

Hemingway wrote to Barton:

“ You had one of the greatest divisions in American military history. ”


During the Battle of Hürtgen Forest on the Weisser Weh stream near Grosshau, Germany General Barton gave up his belt for tourniquet material to medic Russell J. York of his division at York's request. Lives were saved, and a Silver Star was personally awarded to Technician (Medical) 4th Grade York by General Barton for his actions.

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