Constituted on 19 November 1917, the 4th Infantry Division was quickly nicknamed the “Ivy Division,” a play on words or, to be more accurate, a play on pronunciation: saying out loud the Roman numeral for 4 yields the name of the plant that symbolizes loyalty and which is notoriously difficult to eradicate. These same qualities were the genesis of the unit’s motto, “Steadfast and Loyal,” emblazoned at the bottom of the 4th Infantry Division unit crest (see link below)..
Although the 4th Infantry Division was not deployed to Korea or to Kuwait for Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, it has contributed significantly in almost every other major military operation our nation has conducted since the unit was founded. It was awarded credit for participation in five campaigns each in World War I and World War II, and took part in eleven of the seventeen official campaigns of the Vietnam War.
Since 2003, the Division has been awarded ten campaign streamers for actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria: six for Operation Iraqi Freedom, three for Operation Enduring Freedom, and one for Operation Inherent Resolve (the campaign against ISIS or ISIL).
Learn more about the 4th Infantry Division by using the links below to view other "Ivy Division" insignia.
Related Items4th Infantry Division Unit Crest (DUI)
4th Infantry Division Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)