The 410th Infantry dates back to May 22, 1922, when a board of officers headed by Lt. Colonel Jefferson D. Atwood, 0. R. C., met in Sante Fe, New Mexico, and recommended allocation of the various units in New Mexico with Headquarters at Roswell. Lt. Colonel Atwood became the first commander.

     The motto "Super Ardua Surge" (Arise Over Difficulties) and distinctive insignia

were approved in 1925. The insignia was a blue enameled shield upon which was

emblazoned the Sia Sun Symbol in red, taken from the flag of New Mexico. The motto was inscribed on a schroll beneath the shield.

     The 410th became at once a component part of the 103rd Division

"The Rocky Mountain Division", as it was then called. The Division Commander

at that time was Colonel G. R. Lee. The Division had been organized during the

summer of 1921 as part of the Organized Reserve. Other units from Colorado and Arizona completed the division. The name "Cactus Division" was adopted at the summer training camp in 1925

.

     As is true of the 103rd Division, the 410th Infantry has no battle honors although many of the early members were thus distinguished. The regiment was disbanded as an organized reserve on June 30, 1942, as Division preparation was initiated to activate as part of the Army of the United States.

 

     And so on November 15th, 1942 the 410th Infantry was brought into active service and stationed at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, as part of the 103rd Division under the IV Corps, Third Army. Commanding the Division was Brigadier General Charles C. Haffner, Jr., and commanding the 410th Infantry was Colonel Carlisle V. Allan, of Washington, D. C. Colonel Allan and his cadre of officers and enlisted men {from the 85th Division arrived at Camp Claiborne, early in October and were

joined in the following weeks by the remainder of their officers, who

came from various special schools held at Ft. Leavenworth, Ft. Sill, and

Ft. Benning.

 

     On December 4^h, 1942, the filler replacements began to arrive from

induction centers of the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Service Commands. Enthusiastically both men and officers began that training which will make the 410th Infantry the smooth working, fast moving, and hard hitting lighting machine that it is destined to be.