Although the division trained for service in France during World War I, it was ultimately reorganized as a replacement formation and did not see the combat service originally anticipated.

The division’s most important chapter came during World War II. It was mobilized in February 1941 and trained extensively at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, participating in the massive Louisiana Maneuvers before the United States entered the war.

The 34th became one of the first American divisions to fight in Europe during World War II. It landed in North Africa in 1942 and subsequently fought its way through Tunisia and Italy, participating in some of the most difficult fighting of the European war, including the North African, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, and North Apennines campaigns.

The “Red Bull” legacy

The division’s most famous identity came from its World War II service.

The Red Bull insignia became synonymous with the division’s aggressive combat reputation. The unit’s battle cry, “Attack! Attack! Attack!”, captured the character of the division’s fighting style.

Its World War II record was extraordinary. The division spent 517 days in front-line combat, more than any other American division in any theater of the war according to the division’s historical record. It suffered more than 21,000 casualties, including 3,737 killed, while earning 20 Medals of Honor, 98 Distinguished Service Crosses, and more than 1,000 Silver Stars.

Among the units that served alongside the 34th was the famous 100th Infantry Battalion, composed primarily of Japanese-American Soldiers. The battalion became one of the most highly decorated units in American military history.

The 34th fought its way through the Italian peninsula and participated in the final Allied offensive in northern Italy in April 1945. Near the end of the war, elements of the division accepted the surrender of more than 40,000 German troops near Milan.

After World War II

Following the war, the 34th was reorganized as a National Guard division. Its organizational history changed significantly over the following decades, and the division was eventually inactivated in 1968 as part of reductions in the National Guard.

In 1991, the 34th Infantry Division was reactivated through the redesignation of Minnesota’s 47th “Viking” Infantry Division. The change occurred on February 10, 1991, exactly 50 years after the 34th had been mobilized for World War II. The personnel and organizational structure remained essentially the same—the division’s historic name and lineage were restored.

This gave a new generation of Minnesota National Guard Soldiers the opportunity to carry forward the legacy of the original Red Bulls.

Post-9/11 service

Since September 11, 2001, the 34th has participated in a wide range of domestic and overseas missions.

Its Soldiers have supported operations including Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Mediterranean, Honduras, and homeland defense missions. According to the Minnesota National Guard’s historical account, approximately 11,000 Soldiers from the 34th Infantry Division have deployed in support of these missions since 9/11.

The division headquarters itself most recently deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield, returning in 2025.

Mission today

Today, the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division is a major National Guard division headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Rather than functioning simply as a single-state formation, the division provides training, readiness oversight, and mission command for National Guard brigades across multiple states.

The Minnesota-based organization includes the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 84th Troop Command, 347th Regional Support Group, and 34th Division Artillery. Overall, the division provides training and readiness oversight for approximately 23,000 Soldiers across Minnesota and numerous other states.

Its modern mission is centered on maintaining a force capable of commanding and controlling large-scale military operations, supporting subordinate brigades, and deploying division-level headquarters wherever needed. The division is currently focused on producing Soldiers and formations capable of operating in multi-domain environments, while maintaining the fundamentals of shooting, moving, communicating, and performing their individual specialties.

Identity and legacy

The 34th’s identity is perhaps best summed up by three ideas:

“Red Bulls.”
A symbol of toughness, aggression, and determination forged during the brutal campaigns of World War II.

“Attack! Attack! Attack!”
The division’s famous battle cry, reflecting its offensive spirit and combat heritage.

Citizen-Soldiers.
The modern 34th carries the legacy of the National Guard—Soldiers who maintain civilian lives while remaining prepared to serve their state and nation when called.

In short: The 34th Infantry Division is one of the Army National Guard’s most historically distinguished formations. Born from Midwestern National Guard units in 1917, forged in the brutal fighting of North Africa and Italy during World War II, and reactivated as Minnesota’s “Red Bulls” in 1991, the division continues to provide trained, ready forces for combat, crisis response, and national defense. Its legacy is one of sacrifice, aggressive action, endurance, and service as Citizen-Soldiers.