ABOUT THE PROJECT
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project „Men of the 2nd Infantry Division 1940-1945“ is created and maintained by a team of historians, collectors, reenactors, and military history enthusiasts from Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Why the 2nd Infantry Division?
In May 1945, soldiers of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division helped liberate the Western Bohemia region of Czechoslovakia after six years of Nazi occupation. Their courage, professionalism, and kindness left a lasting impression on the people they liberated. More than eighty years later, many families in the region still remember the American soldiers who brought freedom to their towns and villages.
For us, preserving the history of the “Indianhead” Division is more than a historical interest. It is our way of honoring the men whose service changed the lives of countless people and created a lasting bond between the Czech Republic and the United States.
How the Project Began
The idea for this project was born in 2016 within the Military Historical and Reenactment Association Tommy & Yankee z.s.
For years, our members have met veterans and their families, researched military records, and collected original photographs, documents, uniforms, and personal artifacts related to the 2nd Infantry Division. As our archive continued to grow, one thing became increasingly clear: behind every document was a human story that deserved to be preserved.
That realization inspired us to create a comprehensive online database where the names, service records, photographs, and personal histories of the division’s soldiers could be brought together in one place and made accessible to everyone.
The project also reflects the unique connection between the division and our country. A significant number of soldiers of Czech heritage served in the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division during both World Wars, making this history deeply personal to many families on both sides of the Atlantic.
Why This Work Matters
We are among the last generation fortunate enough to meet World War II veterans in person. Every year, more firsthand memories disappear forever.
Soon, future generations will know these men only through photographs, official records, letters, memoirs, and the stories they left behind. Preserving those stories is not only our mission—it is our responsibility.
Every soldier deserves to be remembered not only for where he served, but also for who he was. Behind every name is a life, a family, and a story that forms part of the larger history of the 2nd Infantry Division and the Second World War.
More Than a Database
Although the database is at the heart of this project, our vision extends far beyond collecting names.
We hope to build an international community that connects veterans and their families, historians, researchers, collectors, reenactors, military history enthusiasts, and everyone interested in the history of the 2nd Infantry Division.
Our database helps families discover the soldiers who served alongside their father, grandfather, uncle, or other relatives, offering new opportunities to better understand their loved ones’ wartime service. We also encourage visitors to share photographs, documents, letters, and personal memories so that these valuable historical sources can be preserved for future generations.
Working Together
This project would not exist without the generous support of veterans of the 2nd Infantry Division and their families, who have entrusted us with their stories, photographs, and personal archives.
We are proud to cooperate with the Second Indianhead Division Association, the official organization representing veterans and active members of the 2nd Infantry Division. Historians, researchers, collectors, and supporters from the Czech Republic, the United States, France, Belgium, United Kingdom and other countries continue to contribute to this growing international effort.
Looking Ahead
Every new name added to the database, every photograph identified, every document preserved, and every story shared helps ensure that the legacy of the men of the 2nd Infantry Division lives on.
Whether you are researching a family member, contributing historical information, or simply exploring the remarkable history of the “Indianhead” Division, we are grateful for your visit and your interest.
Together, we can preserve these stories—and honor the men who lived them—for generations to come
