US Army 65th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve patch with a white battle axe on a blue field

Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 65th Infantry Division, United States Army, nicknamed the Battle Axe, because of their blue badge with a white halbert, a medieval battle axe. The symbol was chosen by the unit's commanding general, Major General Reinhart, to signify the shock action and speed of the infantry. The Division entered the war in January 1945 in France and quickly crossed into Germany. While advancing through Bavaria in early April, they captured the towns of Langensalza and Struth, conquering strong German resistance. On April 20-21, the 65th liberated Hersbruck, a subcamp of Flossenburg concentration camp. The Unit continued through Bavaria, and had occupied Linz, Austria, by the time Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. The 65th Infantry was part of the Army of Occupation until it was deactivated in Germany in August 1945.