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September 1, 1939
World War II begins with the invasion of Poland by Germany.
July 1, 1940
8th Infantry Division reactivated.
December 8, 1941
The United States declares war on Japan following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the day before.
December 11, 1941
Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. The United States declares war on Germany and its Axis allies.
April 27, 1942
Enters active service in the United States Army at Bangor, Maine. Assigned to Company D, 17th Training Battalion.
May 22, 1942
Qualifies in the use of a bayonet.
May 30, 1942
Qualifies in the use of a rifle (Rifle Course C, Score: 163).
August 1, 1942
Promoted to rank of Corporal?
January 6, 1943
Occupational speciality: infantry unit commander.
January 31, 1943
Honorably discharged from the Army in order to accept an officer's commission. Held the rank of Corporal and was assigned to10th Company, 1st Student Training Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia prior to discharge.
February 1, 1943
Accepts officer's commission and enters active Army service as a 2nd Lieutenant. Transferred to Company B, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Division as platoon leader.
March, 1943
The 8th Division conducts six months of desert training at Camp Laguna, Arizona. Following this training the division returned to Camp Forrest in Tennessee.
November, 1943
The 8th Division travels to Camp Kilmer in New Jersey in order to prepare for overseas deployment.
December 5, 1943
The 8th Division sails from New York Harbor in route for Northern Ireland.
December 15, 1943
The 8th Infantry Division arrives at Belfast, Northern Ireland. The 28th Infantry Regiment is billeted at Camp Breandrum and Castle Coole in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, and at Crom Castle near Newton-Butler. The Division begins training.
June 6, 1944
D-Day, the Allied invasion of Northern France at Normandy. American forces landed at Omaha and Utah beaches.
July 1, 1944
The 8th Division sails out of Belfast Harbor for France.
July 4, 1944
The 8th Division arrives in France and lands at Utah Beach. (Some sources indicate that the Division landed at Omaha Beach, but maps clearly show their landing area as Utah Beach).
July 5, 1944
The 8th Division assembles at Montbourg, France.
July 6, 1944
The 28th Regiment moves to an assembly area near St. Sauvier Le Vicomte.
July 7, 1944
The 28th Regiment moves to a position near La Haye du Puits.
July 8, 1944
The 8th Division launches its first attack in the area of the Ay River.
July 9, 1944
Companies B and C of the 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment attack the German defense line and reach a point north of LeBarville.
July 10, 1944
The 1st Battalion of the 28th Regiment participates in an attack towards LeBarville. By nightfall the 1st Battalion reaches a position to the south of LeBarville.
July 11, 1944
Awarded Silver Star Medal. Citation text: First Lieutenant Robert A. McDonald, (then Second Lieutenant), 01309781, Infantry, Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, for gallantry in action on 11 July 1944 in the vicinity of La C Barville, France. During an attack, Lieutenant McDonald's platoon was held up by enemy machine gun fire. Lieutenant McDonald crawled forward and killed the gunner causing the crew to withdraw. He then carried a wounded man through heavy enemy fire to a place of safety. Lieutenant McDonald's great courage and devotion to duty were in the highest traditions of the military service. Entered the military service from Maine.
July 13, 1944
The 28th Regiment is placed in Division reserve and is replaced by the 13th Infantry Regiment.
July 14, 1944
Encamped at Bretit, the 28th Regiment rests its men and reorganizes its command structure.
July 23, 1944
The 28th Regiment returns to the frontlines between the 121st and 314th Infantry Divisions.
July 24, 1944 circa
Awarded Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster?). Citation text: "This is to certify that the President of the United States of America authorized by Executive Order, February 4, 1944 has awarded the Bronze Star Medal to First Lieutenant Robert A. McDonald, 01 309 781, Infantry, for heroism in ground combat on or about 24 July 1944 in Europe given under my hand in the City of Washinton this 29th day of June 1949."
Combat Infantryman Badge and second Bronze Star Medal authorized.
July 26, 1944
The 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment attacks a two kilometer gap along the Ay River. The 28th reaches the Lessay-Periers road, and is later recommended for the Presidential Unit Citation for this action.
July 27, 1944
The 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment advances to a point south of Miliers, France.
August 3, 1944
The 8th Division arrives at St. James, France.
August 4, 1944
The 8th Division arrives at Rennes, France. The 28th Regiment is allowed time for rest and resupply.
August 8, 1944
The 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment is attached to Combat Command A of the 6th Armored Division and begins to move to the Brittany peninsula. Via Huelgoat, the Regiment makes its way to St. Thegonnec, and then on to a position near Plabennec. Combat Command A was to wait for further forces before a planned assault on the port city of Brest.
August, 1944
The 28th Regiment assembles at Landerneau, France.
August 20, 1944
The 28th Regiment is relieved by the Second Division. New positions are taken up in preparation for an attack on the port city of Brest on the Brittany peninsula.
August 24, 1944
The 28th Regiment participates in an attack towards Brest from the north. The 1st Battalion is held in reserve.
August 25, 1944
The 1st Battalion of the 28th Regiment joins in the attack on Brest.
August 31, 1944
The 28th Regiment is placed in reserve until September 10th. All units except the 2nd Battalion are moved to near Coat-Ly-Ogan.
September 13, 1944
The 28th Regiment recieves orders that it will be replaced by the 29th Division and moved to the Crozon Peninsula.
September 14, 1944
The 8th Division begins movement to the Crozon Peninsula. Task Force A is attached to the division, and all participating units begin taking up positions for the next day's attack.
September 15, 1944
The 8th Divison begins efforts to clear the Crozon peninsula.
September 16, 1944
The Germans launch a counterattack against the 1st Battalion's position.
September 17, 1944
The 1st Battalion captures and passes through the town of Lanveoc. Following the capture of Hill 73, the battalion halts its advance and digs in for the night.
September 18, 1944
With the German defensive lines weakening, the 28th Regiment advances with little opposition.
September 19, 1944
German General Herman Bernhard Ramcke surrenders to Brigadier General Canham, thus ending all German resistence on the Crozon peninsula.
September 21, 1944
The 28th Regiment prepares to move to Landerneau.
September 22, 1944
The 28th Regiment arrives at a location near Landerneau, and the men are allowed rest and recreation until the 26th.
September 25, 1944
Promoted to rank of 1st Lieutenant.
September 26, 1944
A regimental review is held along with an awards presenation ceremony. The 8th Division moves by rail and convoy to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
September 30, 1944
Motorized elements of the 28th Regiment arrive at Eittelbruck, Luxembourg. The division begins setting up defensive positions along the Our River, which defines the border between Luxembourg and Germany. Regimental HQ is set up in the town of Grosbuss.
October 2, 1944
The 28th Regiment HQ is moved near Consthum. The regiment holds position along the Our River for weeks to follow, and the 8th Division establishes a rest camp at Clerf/Clervaux.
November 16, 1944
The 8th Divison begins moving to the southeast of the German city of Aachen in relief of the battered 28th Division.
November 19, 1944
The 8th Division arrives in the vicinity of Aachen. The 1st Battalion of the 28th Regiment sets up position near Vossenack along the edge of the Hurtgen Forest.
November 21, 1944
The 8th Division begins its attack against German defenses in the Hurtgen Forest.
November 28, 1944
The 1st Battalion is relieved by the 3rd Battalion. The German city of Hurtgen is captured by forces of the 8th Division.
November 29, 1944
Elements of the 8th Division capture the German city of Kleinhau.
December 1, 1944
Reassigned to Company C, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division, and promoted to company commander. The 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 28th Regiment advance towards Brandenberg, which is later captured.
December 4, 1944
Elements of the 28th Regiment continue attacking to the southeast and east from Brandenberg. The 1st and 2nd Battalions, reinforced by elements of Combat Command R and the 709th Tank Battalion of the 28th make slight advances.
December 5, 1944
Bergstein is captured by elements of the 8th Division. Earns the Bronze Star Medal. Citation text: "This is to certify that the President of the United States of America authorized by Executive Order, February 4, 1944 has awarded the Bronze Star Medal to First Lieutenant Robert A. McDonald, 01 309 781, Infantry, for heroism in ground combat Germany, 5 December 1944 given under my hand in the City of Washington this 29th day of June 1949." From a newspaper article: "The citation read: `Lieutenant McDonald assumed command of another company just before a scheduled tank-infantry attack. Although enemy artillery fire was concentrated on the area, he mounted the lead tank and led his men in the furious attack. His example of personal courage was an inspiration to the men of the company.'"
December 7, 1944
Promoted to executive officer of Company C, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division. The 8th Division establishes defensive positions in Bergstein.
December 10, 1944
The 28th Infantry Regiment destroys a pocket of German resistance near Vossenack.
December 15, 1944
The 1st Battalion of the 28th Regiment is relieved by the 2nd Battalion.
December 23, 1944
Promoted to battalion S-2 of the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division.
January 15-16, 1944
The 28th Infantry Regiment drives off a small German attack.
January 19, 1945
Bronze Star Medal authorized.
January-February, 1945
The 28th Regiment continues to maintain defensive positions along the west bank of the Roer River.
February 5, 1945
The 8th Division is transferred to the VII Corps, First Army.
February 8, 1945
The 28th Regiment is relieved and moves to Lendersdorf, opposite of Niederau. Around this time the Germans destroy the sluice gates of the Schwammenauel Dam, which causes the water level of the Roer River to rise dramatically.
February 10, 1945
A planned attack on Duren is postponed due to high water levels on the Roer. The 1st and 2nd Battalions begin training in street fighting and river crossing.
February 23, 1945
The 28th Regiment crosses the Roer River near the town of Niederau. 75% of the regiment's assault boats are lost, and only four companies make it to the east bank. By nightfall the 8th division had established a foothold on the east bank. The 1st Battalion clears northern Niederau of German resistance, and then moves on to the town of Stockheim, which is cleared by midnight.
February 25, 1945
Wounded.
February 26, 1945
Patient at 200th General Hospital in Soissons, France. (Purple Heart awarded during this time).
March, 1945
The 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment encounters strong resistance in the town of Habblerath, but clears the town by 10:00 p.m. The 1st Battalion continues on towards Grefrath, and then to Frechen, a city two miles south of Cologne. Attacking from the west, the 1st Battalion and other units of the 28th Regiment clear Frechen by nightfall.
March 1945
The 1st Battalion launches a midnight attack and captures the towns of Berenrath and Knapsack.
March 7, 1945
The 1st Battalion advances on Meschenich and captures the town by morning after encountering heavy German resistance. Later in the day the 1st Battalion moves towards Medendorf but is stopped by German tanks. That night Codorf is captured by the 1st Battalion.
March 8, 1945
The 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 28th Regiment clear Surth in the morning. With all major German resistance west of the Rhine destroyed, the 8th Division is placed in Corps reserve. The 28th Regiment is relieved by units from the 104th Division.
March 14, 1945
The 8th Divison relieves the 1st Division and establishes positions on the Rhine.
March 22, 1945
The 28th Regiment relives the 104th Division.
March 29-30, 1945
The 28th Regiment is relieved by units of the 86th Division. The 8th Division moves to the trans-Rhine sector and takes up positions along the Sieg River. The towns of Wissen, Alsdorf, Scheuerfeld, Burche and Betzdorf are captured.
March 31, 1945
The 28th Regiment crosses the Sieg River. The 1st Battalion of the 28th establishes positions north of the Sieg and captures the towns of Kirchen and Betzdorf.
April 5, 1945
The 28th Regiment is relieved by the 310th Infantry Regiment of the 78th Division. The regiment then relieves the 8th Reconnaissance Troop and units of the 121st Infantry Regiment.
April 6, 1945
A offensive campaign against German forces in the Ruhr-Sieg region is launched. The 8th Division participates in the attack along with other XVIII Corps units.
April 8, 1945
The 1st Battalion of the 28th Regiment captures Wirdlinghausen.
April 9, 1945
The 28th Infantry Regiment protects the left flank of the 86th Division.
April 11, 1945
Rapid advances are made and the towns of Meinerzhagen, Kierspe and Beckinghausen are captured by the 28th Regiment.
April 17, 1945
All German resistance in the Ruhr region ends.
April 18, 1945
Its headquarters located in Waldbrol, the 28th Regiment occupies a portion of the Ruhr-Rhine region until April 26th, 1945.
April ??, 1945
The 8th Division moves to the area of Luneberg to assist in a XVIII Corps attack across the Elbe River.
May 1, 1945
The 28th Infantry Regiment crosses the Elbe River and joins the 8th Reconnaissance Troop in protecting the right flank of the British Second Army. German troops at this time were offering little resistance.
May 2nd, 1945
The 28th Infantry Regiment follows Task Force Canham as it proceeds to the north and makes rapid advances. Approximately 100 cities, towns and villages are captured in only one day. The Seventh Panzer Division surrenders to the 28th Regiment.
May 3, 1945
The 28th Regiment participates in the disposition of more than 80,000 German soldiers into prisoner of war camps. Massive amounts of German weapons and equipment are captured, including a V-Bomb plant located near Sulsdorf.
May 5, 1945 (May 7th?)
0800 Hours: All German land, air and sea forces officially surrender to the Allies.
May 9, 1945
Athletic officer of the 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment, 8th Division.
May 13, 1945
"Stu Off" at the Staff Officer Athletic School in Paris, France.
May 20, 1945
Athletic officer of the 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment, 8th Division.
May 21, 1945
Athletic officer of Service Company, 28th Regiment, 8th Division.
June 29, 1945
Leaves Europe for United States.
July 6, 1945
Arrives in United States.
August 9, 1945
Japanese forces occupying Korea are driven out by Soviet troops.
August 15, 1945
Korea is divided into American and Soviet occupation zones along the 38th Parallel.
September 2, 1945
Following the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrenders to the United States.
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