The 71st ID was first organized as a light infantry division out of Camp Cason Colorado, they were designated as a mountaineer unit to fight in the jungles of the Pacific Theater. They were sent to Hunter Liggett Military Reservation in Big Sur, California for maneuvers. Unfortunately for the division it was deemed too small to be effective. Totally scrapped the concept , and was sent to Fort Benning, Ga to be reorganized into a standard Infantry Division. 

The 71st ID hit Le Harve, France on 6 Feb 1945. Relieved the 100th ID at Rutsweiler, and saw its first action 11 March 1945 . They hit the Siegfried Line 15th March, captured Pirmasens, 21, March crossed the Rhine at Oppenheimer 30th March. The 71st took Coburg and cut the Munich-Berlin Autobahn 13th April captured Bayreuth, however, met great opposition at that point , and had to destroy Schoenfeld 18th April took Rosenberg crossed the Naab river at Kallmunz. April 24th crossed the Danube River 28-29 April crossed the Isar river , and entered Austria 2, May. They liberated a sub camp of Mauthausen. 4th May. They joined up with the Russians east of Linz 8th May one day prior to Wars end. This is the farthest East any US forces ever went. 

The " Red Circle Division " units short history had saw a total of 62 days of combat! 

2 notable names came from the unit to include:

John D. Eisenhower Lt. son of Dwight Eisenhower, and in 1946 Colonel William Westmoreland. 

This is a fantastic piece of history, and a very obscure ID. The ensemble is complete with original pants, Ike jacket, and origin badges and accouterments. This soldier was a Staff Sergeant who was transferred from the " Big Red One" to help start up the new division. This is a rare set complete with pants and all medals shown.