a security force, the division was charged with establishment of a military government and control of all German affairs. Tasks included the discharge of prisoners of war, inventorying of ammunition and supplies, and organizing civilians. After spending time in Germany, the 66th returned to the French coast to aid with the allied withdrawal from the European Theater. During this time, the composition of the division was changed by the beginning of the inactivation process, until it returned to the U.S. and was formally inactivated, sailing for home 27 October 1945. Order of battle The division consisted of these units: Headquarters, 66th Infantry Division 262d Infantry Regiment 263d Infantry Regiment 264th Infantry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 66th Infantry Division Artillery 721st Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm) 870th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm) 871st Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm) 872d Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm) 266th Engineer Combat Battalion 366th Medical Battalion 66th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) Headquarters, Special Troops, 66th Infantry Division Headquarters Company, 66th Infantry Division 766th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company 66th Quartermaster Company 566th Signal Company Military Police Platoon Band 66th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment The 422d and 423d Infantry Regiments (from the 106th Infantry Division) were attached to the division from 15 April to 15 May 1945. Casualties Total battle casualties: 1,452 Killed in action: 795 (Includes Leopoldville disaster) Wounded in action: 636 Prisoner of war: 21 Assignments in European Theater of Operations 27 December 1944: 12th Army Group. 31 March 1945: Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group. Aesthetic Nickname: Black Panther Division Shoulder sleeve insignia: The snarling panther suggests the power, aggressiveness and endurance of the Division. The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 26 August 1943 The shoulder sleeve insignia was designed by Nicolas Viscardi (known professionally as Nick Cardy), a comic book artist who served in the Division during World War II. Viscardi won a competition to design the patch, and subsequently created the iconic logo. Viscardi also earned two Purple Hearts for wounds suffered as a tank driver while serving with the 3rd Armored Division. References The Lone Sentry: 66th: The Story of the 66th Infantry Division Stars and Stripes in Paris, 1944–1945, reproduced at Lone Sentry: 66th: The Story of the 66th Infantry Division -- WWII G.I. Stories Booklet The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at history.army.mil. External links 66th: