One of the few active units organised on foreign soil, the 2nd Infantry Division was born on 26th October 1917, at Beaumont, France. At the time of it's activation, the Indianhead Division was composed of the US 1st Infantry Brigade, which was a normal organic brigade which included the US 9th Infantry Regiment; and the US 23rd Infantry Regiment; and the US 4th Marine Brigade, which consisted of US 5th Marine Regiment and the US 6th Marine Regiment, a Battalion of field artillery and various supporting units.

After training in Ireland and Wales from October 1943 to June 1944, the 2nd Infantry Division crossed the Channel to land on Omahah Beach on D-Day plus 1, 7th June 1944, near St. Laurent-Sur-Mer. Attacking accross the Aure River, the Division liberated Trevieres, 10th June, and proceeded to assault and secure Hill 192, the key enemy strongpoint on the road to St. Lo. With the hill taken 11th July 1944, the Division went on the defensive until 26th July. Exploiting the St. Lo break-through, the 2nd Division advanced accross the Vire to take Tinchebray 15th August 1944. The Division then moved west to join the battle for Brest, the heavily defended fortress surrendering 18th September 1944 after a 39 day contest.