85th Division and 337th Infantry Awards to Individual Soldiers and Units

During WWII, US Army awards were documented via General Orders (GOs). These GOs were typed and issued as necessary to keep up with the 1000's of men in the organizaion. The Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Medical Badge were documented at the Regiment Level. The Silver Star, Bronze Star and Unit Commendations awards were documented at the Division level.

Using copies of these General Orders obtained from the National Archives in College Park, MD, I have transcribed over 12,000 entries to create a digital database of all awards. This provides only a partial roster of all men who served in these units, since not every man received an award. We also know that after the war had ended, many men were awarded Bronze Star so that award will not be in the 1944 and 1945 General Orders. Also, some Purple Heart awards were awarded when the soldier was at a Army hospital. Howevever, to date, I have listed 6093 men who served in the 337th and an additional 3891 men of all ranks in the other units of the 85th Division. These men, primarily draftees, came from all 48 states plus the District of Columbia, Hawaii (a territory), and Canada.

The rosters and data summaries from these General Orders are listed below, with variations for sorting. Also below is a copy of the 1971 Polar Bear Reunion Association's By-Laws and roster. This association included members of the 339th Infantry Regiment, the 910th Field Artillery Battalion, Co. C of the 310th Engineer Battalion, and Co. C of the 310th Medical Battalion.

337th Infantry Awards Roster:Combat Infantryman Badge, Medical Badge, Purple Heart

85th Division General Order Awards Summaries:Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Unit Commendations