The historic 42nd Infantry Division, headquartered with the New York Army National Guard, welcomed a new commander Saturday in a ceremony held in front of the New York State Capitol.

Known as the Rainbow Division, the 42nd welcomed Iraq War veteran Brig. Gen. Steven Ferrari as he assumed command from Maj. Gen. Harry Miller, according to the New York National Guard. Miller, who is taking on a full-time active duty assignment with the guard, has served as the division’s commander since 2013.

42nd Infantry Division change of command ceremony

With the New York State Capitol in the background, key leaders of the New York Army National Guard and the 42nd Infantry Division pose following change of command ceremonies at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y. on May 6, 2017. They are, from left, Brig. Gen. Raymond Shields, Assistant Adjutant General for Army; Major General Harry Miller, the outgoing commander of the 42nd Infantry Division; Brig. Gen. Steven Ferrari, the incoming commander of the 42nd Infantry Division; and Command Sgt. Major Justin Lenz, 42nd Infantry Division Command Sgt. Major.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army National Guard/Lt. Col. Roberta Comerford
"You are the right leader for this organization," said Brig. Gen. Raymond Shields, commander of the New York Army National Guard, after the transfer of command. "Your depth of experience and caring leadership style make you supremely qualified to lead the division to new heights of soldier and unit readiness. I wish you the very best."

Ferrari has been serving as assistant division commander for the combat division headquarters since 2011.

"What an honor to assume command of the famous 42nd Infantry Division," Ferrari said. "I pledge my dedication and commitment to ensure that the continued success of this historic division that turns 100 years old on August 13, 2017."

The division gained the Rainbow Division nickname from its first chief of staff, then-Col. Douglas MacArthur. Originally organized out of guard units from 26 states for World War I, MacArthur said the division would span across the country "like a rainbow." Today, the division is composed of guard units from the Midwest through the Northeastern United States. 

The division was involved in World Wars I and II, landing in France during the second World War and eventually liberating the Dachau Concentration Camp after taking several German cities. In 2005, it became the first Guard Headquarters to deploy to war since 1952, leading 23,000 soldiers in Iraq.

The 42nd also responded to the North Country ice storm of 1998, the World Trade Center attack on Sept. 11, 2001, Hurricanes Irene and Lee in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

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