7 Feb 1944 - began the Sixth Louisiana Maneuver period which consisted of
seven phases.
2 Mar 1944 - received 1,200 replacements from cancelled Army Specialized
Training Programs (ASTP)
3 Apr 1944 - completed the last phase of the Sixth Louisiana Maneuver period
but the Division stayed in the field.
19 Apr 1944 - most trained privates and PFC's were shipped out to other units.
28 Apr 1944 - the Division ended almost six months of duty in the field as
they moved to barracks at South Camp Polk
May - Sep 1944 - participated in various training and classroom exercises and
firing range activities.
30 May 1944 - the Division assembled to pay tribute to the 32 men who had died
in training since 4 Mar 1943.
15 Jun 1944 - Infantry Day - the 3 infantry battalions made a 125 mile march
to Shreveport to set up exhibits and participate in the parades and other
activities.
4 Jul 1944 - all-day sporting activities were conducted. The 58th AIB won
first place and also broke the all-army wall scaling record during that event.
Sep 1944 - the Division was placed in top priority for overseas movement.
Sep 1944 - The 58th AIB topped the Division in four of seven combat firing
tests and was far ahead of other infantry battalions in anti-tank platoon,
rifle platoon and infantry platoon tests.
5 Oct 1944 - Maj. Gen. Grimes was replaced by Brig. Gen John M. Devine who
previously served as CG of CCB of the 7th Armored Division.
9 Oct 1944 - infantry battalions participated in series of tests for the
Expert Infantry Badge. The badge was worth $5 extra pay per month.
Oct 1944 - received the official alert for movement to the Port of Embarkation
for overseas deployment.
27 Oct 1944 - began boarding troop trains for movement to Camp Kilmer, NJ
located near New Brunswick.
7 Nov 1944 - sailed from New York on the HMT Samaria, USAT George W. Goethals,
USAT Marine Devil and SS St. Cecelia.
19 Nov 1944 - disembarked from troopships in Portsmouth and Southampton for
movement to Tidworth Barracks, near Salisbury.
Nov - Dec - Received vehicles and began training exercises on the Salisbury
Plain.
Dec 16 1944 - 'Battle of the Bulge' begins. Received orders shortly thereafter to
prepare for deployment to the continent.
