During his time in the service, Tumminia served with the 25th Infantry Division, Tropic Lightning. However, this unit originated well before the Vietnam War and the Korean War: it was activated on 1 October 1941 at the Schofield Barracks in the Territory of Hawaii. The first time this unit saw combat was a short two months later on 7 December 1941. Originally, the unit existed as a Hawaii specific combat force, but was activated into the unit it is today due to the United States engaging in World War II. In fact, this unit along with its sister unit, the 24th Infantry Division, were the first units to fight in World War II from the United States. During the war, the unit changed from the traditional square division into a triangular division due to the Army ruling that the square division was too “cumbersome for modern warfare”. This new triangular division had a design that included “three infantry regiments, four field artillery battalions plus support troops.” Presumably, this would be the same style unit of combat that Tumminia would have fought under. Furthermore, even though the 25th Infantry Division originated in the then territory of Hawaii, the division travelled around the Pacific during World War II, notably participating in an invasion of Japanese war-won territory. The division was noted to “have served in four separate campaigns in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre: Central Pacific, Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons and Luzon.” This distinction in World War II would make the 25th Infantry Division a large and notable one.
Within the 25th Infantry Division was the 65th Engineering Battalion. This unit has been an integral part of the division since 1 October 1941, however, it was first created in 18 October 1927 for the Regular Army. Notably, it was inactivated shortly after its commission and remained inactive until it was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. The duties of the 65th Engineering Battalion included but were not limited to “clearing mines and booby traps and to assist combat elements in emplacing friendly—or reducing enemy—obstacles and fortifications.” The unit also performed missions “to improve roads, trails and to build bridges for the re-supply of the front lines and to speed the evacuation of casualties.” Because of how versatile and necessary the division was, they were often used as infantry. Furthermore, their motto was “The First In, The Last Out”, which was due to the fact that they were responsible for building all combat infrastructure and maintaining it. Tumminia would serve with this unit from 1950 until his death in 1966.
Within the 25th Infantry Division was the 65th Engineering Battalion. This unit has been an integral part of the division since 1 October 1941, however, it was first created in 18 October 1927 for the Regular Army. Notably, it was inactivated shortly after its commission and remained inactive until it was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. The duties of the 65th Engineering Battalion included but were not limited to “clearing mines and booby traps and to assist combat elements in emplacing friendly—or reducing enemy—obstacles and fortifications.” The unit also performed missions “to improve roads, trails and to build bridges for the re-supply of the front lines and to speed the evacuation of casualties.” Because of how versatile and necessary the division was, they were often used as infantry. Furthermore, their motto was “The First In, The Last Out”, which was due to the fact that they were responsible for building all combat infrastructure and maintaining it. Tumminia would serve with this unit from 1950 until his death in 1966.
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