Regiment (Minneapolis, Minnesota) 185th Field Artillery Regiment (Davenport, Iowa) 109th Engineer Regiment (Rapid City, South Dakota) 136th Medical Regiment (Ames, Iowa) 109th Quartermaster Regiment (Osceola, Iowa) Italics indicates state of headquarters allocation; headquarters not organized or inactive. Prelude to World War II The expanding war in Europe threatened to draw a reluctant United States into the conflict. As the potential of U.S. involvement in World War II became more evident, initial steps were taken to prepare troops what for lay ahead through "precautionary training." The division was deemed one of the most service-ready units, and Ellard A. Walsh was promoted to major general in June 1940, and then succeeded to division commander in August, following month-long command tours intended to honor senior generals Lloyd D. Ross (Iowa), George E. Leach (Minnesota), and David S. Ritchie (North Dakota) before their retirements. The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 was signed into law 16 September, and the first conscription in U.S. history during peacetime commenced. The 34th was subsequently federalized on 10 February 1941, with troops from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. The division was transported by rail and truck convoys to the newly constructed Camp Claiborne in Rapides Parish, Louisiana near Alexandria. The soldiers started rigorous training including maneuvers in Alexandria starting 7 April 1941. The climate during the summer was especially harsh. The division then participated in what became known as the Louisiana Maneuvers, and became a well-disciplined, high-spirited, and well-prepared unit. In the early phase of the maneuvers, General Walsh, who suffered from chronic ulcers, became too ill to continue in command, and was replaced by Major General Russell P. Hartle on 5 August 1941. World War II Order of battle Headquarters, 34th Infantry Division 133rd Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Battalion (replacing 133d's 2nd Bn, left in England) 135th Infantry Regiment 168th Infantry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 34th Infantry Division Artillery 125th Field Artillery Battalion (125th FAB) (105 mm) 151st Field Artillery Battalion (151st FAB) (105 mm) 175th Field Artillery Battalion (175th FAB) (105 mm) 185th Field Artillery Battalion (185th FAB) (155 mm) 109th Engineer Combat Battalion (109th ECB) 109th Medical Battalion 34th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (34th CRT) (Mechanized) Headquarters, Special Troops, 34th Infantry Division Headquarters Company, 34th Infantry Division 734th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company (734th OLMC) 34th Quartermaster Company 34th Signal Company Military Police Platoon Band 34th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment (34th CCD) In common