U.S. Allies from all over the world came to Fort Riley to train. From left to right in the two jeeps are Capt. Gilberto Pessanha, of Brazil; Capt. Rene I. Chipi y Cordova, of Cuba; Lt. Guillermo Fuentes, Castellnos ( driving ) of El Salvador; Capt. Enrique Ortiz Vega, of Chile; Capt. Alberto Enchaurren Gaeta, of Chili; Lt. Reinaldo Varea Donoso of Educador; and Lt. Jose Fragomeni of Brazil. Officials U.S. Army photo provided by @Fort Riley Museums.
Friday ( May 8 ) marks the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe, or V-E Day. The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley played significant roles in World War II.
The 1st Infantry Division fought in North Africa and Sicily, before leading the invasion of France on D-Day. From its first battle in 1942 to V-E Day, the division suffered more than 21,000 casualties, earned eight campaign streamers, and added 17 Medal of Honor winners to the roll of heroes. Following the war the Big Red One served in occupied Germany and the division's 26th Infantry Regiment provided security at the Nuremburg war crimes trials.
Hundreds of Soldiers prepared to board a train after vigorous training at Fort Riley in 1941. More than 125,000 Soldiers were trained at Camp Funston, Fort Riley, and sent off to combat in different theaters of World War II. Official U.S. Army photo provided by @Fort Riley Museums.
