Roster of the Rainbow division (Forty-Second) Major General Wm. A. Mann commanding

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

65236

Title

Roster of the Rainbow division (Forty-Second) Major General Wm. A. Mann commanding

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Compiled by Lieutenant Harold Stanley Johnson in 1917, this roster introduces the Rainbow Division (Forty-Second), a distinguished unit formed from organizations across twenty-six states. Edited with the cooperation of Major-General William A. Mann, the text highlights the division's elite status, its diverse geographic origins, and its pivotal role as America's representatives in the impending European struggle of World War I.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled in October 1917 at Camp Mills, Long Island, by Lieutenant Harold Stanley Johnson of the 151st Field Artillery, this document serves as the official roster for the Rainbow Division (Forty-Second Division) under the command of Major-General William A. Mann. The roster was created to foster personal contact and coordination among officers and men during mobilization, ensuring the division functioned as a highly efficient unit. The Rainbow Division earned its distinctive name from Secretary of War Baker because it comprised units from twenty-six states, representing a territory stretching from coast to coast and from Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. The text emphasizes that only units with proven ability were selected, many having served in the Spanish-American War or border conflicts, making membership an honor. The roster lists personnel by unit, including Headquarters, Field Signal, Artillery, Infantry, Machine Gun, Engineer, and Sanitary trains, as well as Ambulance companies and support staff like the Bakery Company and Y.M.C.A. Staff. Entries detail names, ranks, and hometowns of soldiers from Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, and other regions, illustrating the division's national scope. The document functions as both a historical record of the pre-war mobilization and a tribute to the diverse individuals chosen to carry Old Glory to victory in Europe. The foreword expresses hope that the division's career would be as brilliant as the rainbow itself, serving as America's representatives in the greatest struggle of the ages.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Military