The 97th Infantry Division was reactivated in 1943 and deactivated in 1946.

They arrived in Europe in March of 1945 and participated in the reduction of the Ruhr pocket. The 97th captured Solingen and Dusseldorf as well as other smaller towns in Germany.

Later the 97th was transferred to Pattons 3rd army where they participated in the liberation of Czechoslovakia. After the surrender of Germany, the 97th returned to the States and in September left for the Pacific where they had been scheduled to take part in the invasion of Japan before the Japanese formally surrendered on Sept 2, 1945.

Although the Japanese surrendered while the 97th was still in Seattle, WA waiting to embark, the division shipped out any way. The troop ships continued to follow blackout procedures for fear the Japanese could not be trusted.

The 97th went on to perform occupation duty in Japan until final deactivation in March of 1946.