logo

Americal Legacy Foundation

COLD WAR

The 23rd Infantry Division was activated in the Panama Canal Zone on 2 December 1954. It acquired the lineage, heraldry, honors and traditions of the Americal Division of World War II. The division occupied a joint headquarters with HQ, U.S. Army Caribbean (USARCARIB) at Fort Amador, Canal Zone. The commander of USARCARIB also commanded the 23rd Infantry Division.

The mission of U.S. Army Caribbean was to “Keep the art of jungle warfare alive in the Army”. The 23rd Infantry Division supported USARCARIB in its mission as well as to protect the Panama Canal and the Caribbean Basin during the Cold War.

Principle infantry units of the division were the 33rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Kobbe, Panama Canal Zone; the 65th Infantry Regiment at Camp Losey, Puerto Rico, U.S. Army Forces Antilles, and Military District of Puerto Rico; and the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. The division did not serve in combat during this period.

The division was inactivated 10 April 1956 at Fort Amador, Canal Zone.

Pan1

HQ, U.S. Army Caribbean and 23rd (Americal) Army Division, Fort Amador, Canal Zone (Photo: National Archives)

Pan2

Americal soldiers trained constantly in the jungles of Panama during the Cold War (Photo: National Archives)

Pan3

The Americal trained for a variety of missions during the Cold War (Photo: National Archives)

Larger views of all images can be seen in our Gallery

Donate to Americal Legacy Foundation

To donate,

  • Print the donation form: click here for form
  • Complete the form
  • Mail the form and your check or money order, made payable to Americal Legacy Foundation
        Americal Legacy Foundation
        Gary L. Noller
        P.O. Box 1268.
        Center Point, TX 78010-1268
  • You will receive a letter as your receipt for your donation

Americal Division Veterans Association (ADVA)

The ADVA is dedicated as a LIVING MEMORIAL to all veterans of the Americal Division. It is pledged to foster true American patriotism, provide social and fraternal activities for all members, encourage allegiance to the United States and to its flag, and to perpetuate the traditions and history of the Americal Division of the United States Army.

Click Here to go to the website