division 07

American Expeditionary Forces
	7th Division (Regular)

[Excerpt from Wyllie, Col. Robert E. "The Romance of Military Insignia."
The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. XXXVI, No. 6. December, 1919. ]

The insignia originated as the result of using two figures seven, one inverted and superimposed, which was later transformed into two triangles. It was used for marking the baggage of the division before going overseas.

The insignia of the 7th Division consists of two black, equilateral triangles placed vertically on a red circular disc, with their apexes in juxtaposition at the center of the disc. The double triangle was designed by Colonel W. W. Taylor, Jr., Division Chief of Staff, while the Division was at Waco, Texas, in compliance with War Department instructions concerning the marking of baggage. These instructions required that each division mark its baggage with a distinctive design easily recognizable at a glance, but containing no numeral or other feature which might permit outsiders to identify the organization and possibly report its movements to the enemy. Simplicity and distinctiveness were the only considerations. It was only a happy coincidence that the outline of the design was a numeral 7 crossed by another 7 inverted, thus forming the two triangles.

Later, in France, all divisions were directed by General Headquarters to adopt distinctive insignia for use as shoulder badges on the uniform and for general purposes. The Division Commander, Brigadier General C. H. Barth. called for designs, and finally approved the suggestion of Major R. D. Avery, G. S. that the original double triangle be superimposed upon a circular red base. The shoulder badge, worn on the upper left arm just under the shoulder seam, is 2 ¾ inches in diameter. Other sizes are used for vehicles, stationery, etc. The similarity of the double triangle to an hour-glass was responsible for the nickname, "Hour-glass Division," and for the title of the Division newspaper, The Hour Glass.

Authorized 6 December 1917 to be formed from Regular Army units. Formed from 6 December 1917 to 17 July 1918. Completed movement overseas 3 September 1918.

13th Infantry Brigade:
55th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
20th Machine Gun Battalion

14th Infantry Brigade:
34th Infantry Regiment
64th Infantry Regiment
21st Machine Gun Battalion

7th Field Artillery Brigade:
8th Field Artillery Regiment (155mm)
79th Field Artillery Regiment (75mm)
80th Field Artillery Regiment (75mm)
7th Trench Mortar Battery

Divisional Troops:
19th Machine Gun Battalion
5th Engineers
10th Field Signal Battalion
7th Train Headquarters and MP
7th Ammunition Train
7th Supply Train
5th Engineer Train
7th Sanitary Train (Ambulance Companies & Field Hospitals 22, 34, 35, 36)

Campaign Participation

Campaign Streamers (most units):
Lorraine

Artillery & Ammunition Train:
None

U. S. Victory Medal Clasps (most units):
Defensive Sector

Product Flyers	Insignia	Nickname
Background	Primary Units	Campaign Participation