28th Infantry Division

The 28th Infantry Division, formed in 1879, is the oldest division in the U.S. Army, with elements tracing their lineage back to 1747 and Benjamin Franklin’s Associators. Elements of the 28th have participated in all major world conflicts - from the Revolutionary War to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, to a myriad of contingency operations around the world.

During World War I, General of the Armies John J. Pershing nicknamed the 28th the “Iron Division” and during World War II German soldiers nicknamed the 28th the “Bloody Bucket” because of the ferocity of the Division’s attacks during Normandy and France.  In addition to its missions abroad, the 28th has responded to many civil emergencies, natural disasters, and domestic operations at the call of the governor – ranging from the Johnstown Floods, Hurricane Katrina, presidential inauguration, G-20 summit, to winter storms.

Today, the 28th is one of the most deployed National Guard Divisions in the United States Army.  Division Soldiers have served and continue to serve in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, the Sinai, Kosovo and Bosnia.

The Division currently maintains more than 80 armories across the commonwealth. The authorized strength of the 28th Infantry Division is 15,000 Soldiers - with nearly 13,000 located in Pennsylvania and roughly 2,000 located in units in Virginia, Ohio and New Jersey. 

The primary elements of today’s 28th "Keystone" Division are the:

• 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team
• 55th Heavy Brigade Combat Team
• 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team
• 28th Combat Aviation Brigade
• 28th Division Special Troops Battalion

Contact Us:
28th Infantry Division Headquarters
14th & Calder Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17103-1297
Phone: (717) 787-6705
Fax: (717) 772-5121