84 Infantry Division (USA)

84th Infantry Division (USA)

"Railsplitter Division"

"Lincoln Division"

During World War I the 84th Division was referred to as the "Lincoln" division because it was primarily made up of National Guard [i.e., National Army] units from Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana--the Lincoln states. Its original insignia was a red ax on a white background within a red circle, with the name "Lincoln" above the ax and the number "84" below it.

The present insignia consists of a white ax splitting a white rail on a red circular background. Both insignias recall President Lincoln's youthful use of the ax. With the addition of a split rail, the division adopted the new nickname of "Railsplitters".