Famed Rainbow Division reunited at Camp Gruber

In World War II, they traveled through Europe, but first, they trained in Oklahoma. The 42nd Infantry Division - known as the Rainbow Division - reunited Wednesday at Camp Gruber, where they first gathered

Wednesday, July 10th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6


In World War II, they traveled through Europe, but first, they trained in Oklahoma. The 42nd Infantry Division - known as the Rainbow Division - reunited Wednesday at Camp Gruber, where they first gathered in 1943.

News on six reporter Emory Bryan followed the group on the first day of their journey. The men of the 42nd entered the war just before the tide turned in the Allies favor.

They landed in France and swept through Germany liberating the Dachau concentration camp along the way. Every one of them trained at Camp Gruber. Wednesday, they gathered here again for a ceremony for many, the first time they've been together since the war. Because the men came from all over the country, McArthur called them the Rainbow Division, and the name stuck.

More than 200 of them, many with their families, helped dedicate a plaque Wednesday honoring their service. The 42nd occupied Austria as the war in Europe ended, and the men were sent home.
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