Our Association
The 34th Infantry Division Association is a United States military veteran organization formed in 1947 by WWII veterans of the United States Army's 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. The international headquarters is located at the Gold Star Military Museum in Johnston, Iowa with subordinate chapters in Iowa, Minnesota, and Italy.
Initially, the membership was limited to veterans of WWI and WWII who were in the division or subordinate units. Special invitations we sent to the Nisei veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Infantry Battalion. Membership in the association, which is still active today, has broadened to include the general public, however, the majority of the members are veterans of the division and subordinate units, current service members, their families, and descendants.
Association Mission and Objectives
1. To foster and perpetuate the camaraderie of those who have served with the 34th Infantry Division from its organization thru today.2. To establish a library for the collection, preservation, and ownership of such records and other materials of any historical value relating to the 34th Infantry Division.
3. To employ librarians, historians, and lecturers for copying, cataloging, writing, enumeration, evaluation, publication, and dissemination of the material mentioned above. To print, publish and sell books, newspapers, journals, magazines, periodicals, lists, pamphlets, and reports for the dissemination information for the membership of the association and the public.
4. To foster, assist, and promote military units organized pursuant to state or federal law with particular attention to units of the 34th Infantry Division as hereafter constituted.
5. To organize and charter subordinate chapters of the association.
6. To support 34th Infantry Division-related exhibits in museums, historical buildings, and the military armories in the states that host the units which carry the lineage of the 34th Infantry Division and associated units.
34IDA Bylaws.pdf
Association Board
The 34th Infantry Division Board is composed of retired and currently-serving 34th Infantry Division soldiers as well as civilian friends of the division. These unpaid volunteers organize an annual reunion of the division and other Red Bull events. Today, voting board positions consist of a president, vice-president, 2nd vice president, secretary, treasurer, and sergeant-at-arms. They are elected annually. Non-voting board members include a historian and a chaplain. A board of trustees are also identified for various duties.
The original association board comprised of Maj. Gen. Norman E. Hendrickson (president), Joe Kelly (vice-president), Walter W. Wendt (secretary), Brig. Gen. Charles H. Grahl (treasurer), Lt. Col. John H. Hougen (historian), and Fr. Hoffman (chaplain).
See the Association Board Lineages.pdf
Association Newsletters
The Red Bulletin Newsletter is your source of information on veterans and currently serving Red Bulls.
Association Chapters
Current chapters are Commander’s Own (St Paul, Minnesota); Council Bluffs, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; First Minnesota (Brainerd, Minnesota); and 133rd Infantry Iron Man (Waterloo, Iowa). The association recently gained a chapter in Italy, Linea Gotica Pistoiese Onlus, where the division fought during WWII.
Former chapters across the United States include the Atlantic, Cedar Rapids, Chicago, Glenwood, Minneapolis, Omaha, Red Oak, Sioux City, and Tri-State (East coast) chapters.
Association History
The original association was founded on 6 Jan, 1947 by division veterans of WWII.In 1947, the association placed wreaths at cemeteries on Memorial Day and Veterans Day in North Africa and Italy, a tradition which continues to this day.
In 1948, the association dedicated Hwy 34 in Iowa as the 34th Infantry Division Memorial Highway.
In 1949, the Council Bluffs, Iowa chapter was formed.
In 1949, the association published John Hougen’s “Famous 34th Infantry Division” book on WWII.
In 1972, members of the association dedicated a memorial plaque at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.
In 1987, the association dedicated the 34ID monument on Camp Dodge, Iowa.
In 1989, they published Philip St John’s “Thirty-Fourth Infantry Division” history book.
In 1991, the 34th Infantry Division was reformed thanks in part to the efforts of the association.
In 1996, the association spearheaded the effort to establish a Red Bull memorial on Iowa's capitol grounds.
In 2010, the association was reincorporated in Iowa as a non-profit corporation based on the original WWII association.
In 2012, the association hosted the 65th Annual Reunion of the 34th Infantry Division.
In 2012, the Commander’s Own Chapter was established.
In 2014, the association’s First Minnesota Chapter was organized in Brainerd, MN.
In 2017, the association published Brian Leehan’s “Roaring Bull” book on the Global War on Terror.
In 2022, the association celebrated its 75th anniversary.
In 2023, a 34th Infantry Division monument was dedicated at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St Paul, Minnesota.
In 2023, the association erected a monument at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.
In 2025, the Italian Chapter celebrated the Army’s 250th Birthday at Camp Darby, Pisa, Italy.
Association Membership
As of Jan. 1, 2015, the association was 855 members strong. This is an increase over the last few years. At our high point, around 1960, we had a membership of around 1,400.
Apply for membership or renew today via mail or PayPal.
Recruiting brochure.pdf
Noteable Association Members
GEN Charles L. Bolte, Command of division during Italian campaign.
Lt Gen Jon A. Jensen, former Director Army National Guard.
Lt Gen Richard C. Nash, former 34ID Commander, MN Adjutant General, Multi-national commands in Bosnia and Iraq.
MG Charles W. Ryder, Command of division during Afican and Italian campaign.
Lt Gen Roger C. Schultz, former Director Army National Guard.
GEN John William Vessey Jr., former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Volunteer Opportunities
A strong tenant of the 34th Infantry Division Association is volunteerism. Service to our fellow Red Bull Soldiers and their families is the legacy of the association.
There are many opportunities to volunteer your time at Red Bull museums like the Iowa’s Gold Star Military Museum or the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum.
Committees are forming to address specific topics. Topics include an annual member recognition program, a review of the membership due structure, and the creation of 34IDA commemorative items. If you would like to participate in a committee, please contact the Association Secretary.