This is the 98th Division, US Army Reserves. This is the unit my father retired from.
The colors orange and blue are those of the Dutch House of Nassau; the head of an Iroquois chief with five feathers, representing the five Indian nations, symbolizes New York state where the division was organized.
The 98th Division (Iroquois) has the unique right to claim two birthdays-July 23, 1918 and June 24, 1921. The first date is based on the division’s partial organization during the closing months of World War I. As combat on the Western Front remained static in early 1918, Army planner decided that the additional divisions might be needed to bolster Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing’s American Expeditionary Force. Thus, Headquarters, 98th Division, was "constituted" on July 23, 1918 at Fort McClellan, AL. The division was organized on paper, a Chief of Staff and regimental commanders were chosen, and in October, troop-fill commenced. But armistice between Germany and the Allies ended further action. The division was demobilized in November after four months of existence, never having been completely organized.
The 98th Division was formally established as a component of the Organized Reserve on June 24, 1921 and assigned to II Corps (A relationship which would last off and on for forty-six years). During the twenties and thirties, the 98th Division was organized as a square division with four line infantry regiments. The commands were located throughout New York.