103rd Headquarters Company and Reconnaissance Company

The 103 Headquarters and Reconnaissance Company served as the center of tactical and operational planning for the Division. This unit was the home of the commander of the 103rd Infantry Division, and it was through the Headquarters and Reconnaissance Company that information and intelligence was processed and then used to determine the next tactical operations. Normally, along with the division commander, the heads of the various positions such as intelligence worked out of this company. The Reconnaissance section of the company was designed to go in advance of the division to determine enemy strength, terrain, and other aspects that were vital for the Headquarters section. After the Reconnaissance section would complete its report, the Headquarters would plan its next tactical movements, as well as allocate the correct resources to ensure the best chances at a successful day of fighting and to prepare for casualties.

During combat operations, units were required to submit a report of operations on a monthly basis. Each month, the 103rd Headquarters and Reconnaissance Company reviewed the Unit Journals from each of the units of the division and created a monthly narrative of the 103rd Infantry Division, including combat operations, casualties, awards, and maps. These monthly reports of the 103rd Infantry Division’s activities can be found under the tab “The War: Document Collection”.

The Headquarters and Reconnaissance Companies were not originally part of the 103rd Infantry Division when it was formed in 1921. Under the original formation of the division in 1921, there was a Headquarters element of the division based in Denver, Colorado. The 103 Headquarters and Reconnaissance Company was officially organized in 1942 when the division was activated from its Reserve status.