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16th Infantry Regiment (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 16th Infantry Regiment ("Semper Paratus") is a regiment
in the United States Army
.
and 11th Infantry Regiment consolidated into the 16th Infantry Regiment on 3 March 1869. The 11th Infantry's history prior to the consolidation is normally included with the 16th's.
, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg
, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, and Petersburg. They took significant losses during Gettysburg from a position between the Wheatfield and Devil's Den
. Two battalions took part in the battle of Stones River
under Maj. Adam J. Slemmer
.
Following the Civil War the 16th took part in the reconstruction of the south and then performed duty on the frontier-the Indian Wars
.
with the V Corps.
The 16th later fought in the Philippine–American War. It fought 27 engagements with the greater part of its activities concentrated against the rebels in the Cagayan Valley.
On 4 July 1917, the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, paraded through Paris. At Lafayette's tomb, one of General John J. Pershing's staff Lt. Col. Charles Stanton uttered the famous words, "Lafayette, we are here!"
On 4 October 1918, near Fleville, France, the 16th was the only Allied unit to take its objective during the opening drive of the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. 4 October is still celebrated as the 16th Infantry organizational day. The coat of arms
pattern from Fleville
was later included in the 16th's regimental crest.
The 16th twice earned the Croix de Guerre
, France's highest military honor, for actions at Soissons and Fleville. Today 16th Infantry soldiers wear the fourragère
on their uniform.
In September 1919, the Regiment returned to the United States and posted at Camp now Fort Dix, New Jersey. In 1920 the regiment was posted at Fort Jay
, Governors Island
, New York and would remain the U.S. Army's "show" regiment for New York City. Mayor La Guardia named the 16th "New York's own" and the "Sidewalks of New York" became the regimental song. The regiment would remain at Fort Jay until February 1941 when reassigned to Fort Devens
, Massachusetts and later Camp Blanding
, Florida for combat training prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
.
As at the onset of World War I, the 16th Regiment was one of the first mobilized for overseas duty. Still part of the 1st Infantry Division, would take part in the landings in North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy. The US 16th Infantry Regiment's 1,700 soldiers were the first American infantry to land on the beaches of North Africa during Operation Torch. Fox Company, 2nd Battalion of the 16th Infantry was the first unit in the 1st Division to take part in an offensive operation when Fox Company supported by Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, and George Company, 3rd Battalion supported by tanks from 1st Armored assaulted the Le Senia Airfield just south of Oran, Algeria. The 400 Americans killed 270 German soldiers and captured 700 of them without loss. During the Battle of Kasserine Pass the 16th Infantry counter-attacked a line that had been left open by retreating units of the 26th Infantry Regiment. During Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily) the 16th was the first American unit to land on the beaches of Sicily near Gela and capture the city with heavy losses on the beach. On 15 July, elements of the 16th Infantry raced north to rescue units of the 82nd Airborne Division near Piano Lupo and engaged the Herman Goring Panzer Division resulting in heavy German losses. The regiment then moved north taking several key cities and towns before taking part in the battle of Troina. Following Sicily, the 16th Infantry took part in the invasion of Europe when they landed at Omaha beach. With the rest of the 1st Infantry Division the 16th Infantry Regiment fought its way across Europe, ending the war in Czechoslovakia
.
in August 1999 through March 2000 along with supporting elements Fort Riley
for peacekeeping
operations. They were assigned under the 10th Mountain Division as part of SFOR 6
. They were assigned primarily to Camp Dobol but also had elements assigned to Camp McGovern, Camp Demi and Camp Comanche.
The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment was stood up in 2005 under the new expeditionary brigade doctrine as part of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. It was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Kauzlarich. In February 2007, 2nd Battalion deployed to eastern Baghdad as part of the Iraq Surge. They were attached to 2d Brigade 2d ID and later 4th Brigade 10th MTN. They were sent to pacify 4 of the most violent neighborhoods in Baghdad, controlled by Al-Qaeda and the Jayessh Al-Mahdi. They assisted in the creation of literacy programs, refurbishment of schools and the installation of sewage systems, suppressing the insurgent threat using an experimental platform based on small teams and unconventional tactics. Ultimately, their section of Baghdad would become the quietest sector in the city, but that was not achieved cheaply. 2nd Battalion suffered 14 KIA and many more WIA, and the horrors of war would lead to many suicides and military separations post-deployment.
The 2nd Battalion was also featured in the US Army's new recruiting campaign "Army Strong". At the time of filming 2-16 IN was the only active Infantry battalion to not deploy in support of the Global war on Terror.
The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment deployed back to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11 on 1 September 2009 under the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. It replaced the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment in Bayji, Iraq in an Advise & Assist role, supporting the 4th Iraqi Infantry Division as well as the local governments in its area of operations. The battalion redeployed to Fort Riley, Kansas in late April - Early May 2010 with the exception of Alpha company, which remained until August.
for actions while serving in the 16th
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Formation
The 34th Infantry Regiment34th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 34th Infantry Regiment is a Regular Army infantry regiment of the United States Army. It saw combat in World War I, in the Pacific Theater of Operations in World War II, and was the first full American regiment deployed in combat in the Korean War...
and 11th Infantry Regiment consolidated into the 16th Infantry Regiment on 3 March 1869. The 11th Infantry's history prior to the consolidation is normally included with the 16th's.
U.S. Civil War
The regiment took part in some of the hardest-fought battles of the war, including Manassas, Antietam, FredericksburgBattle of Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside...
, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg , was fought July 1–3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War, it is often described as the war's turning point. Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac...
, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Wilderness, and Petersburg. They took significant losses during Gettysburg from a position between the Wheatfield and Devil's Den
Devil's Den
Devils Den is a boulder-strewn Gettysburg Battlefield hill used by artillery and infantry during the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, Second Day...
. Two battalions took part in the battle of Stones River
Battle of Stones River
The Battle of Stones River or Second Battle of Murfreesboro , was fought from December 31, 1862, to January 2, 1863, in Middle Tennessee, as the culmination of the Stones River Campaign in the Western Theater of the American Civil War...
under Maj. Adam J. Slemmer
Adam J. Slemmer
Adam Jacoby Slemmer was an officer in the United States Army during the Seminole Wars and the American Civil War, as well as in the Old West.-Early years:...
.
Following the Civil War the 16th took part in the reconstruction of the south and then performed duty on the frontier-the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
.
Spanish-American War
The 16th participated in the capture of San Juan HillBattle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill , also known as the battle for the San Juan Heights, was a decisive battle of the Spanish-American War. The San Juan heights was a north-south running elevation about two kilometers east of Santiago de Cuba. The names San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were names given by the...
with the V Corps.
The 16th later fought in the Philippine–American War. It fought 27 engagements with the greater part of its activities concentrated against the rebels in the Cagayan Valley.
World War I
The 16th was one of 4 original regiments to form the 1st Expeditionary Division, later known as the 1st Infantry Division. Throughout WWI the 16th participated in every major 1st Division campaign. It was the first regiment to take combat casualties and engage German forces during the war.On 4 July 1917, the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, paraded through Paris. At Lafayette's tomb, one of General John J. Pershing's staff Lt. Col. Charles Stanton uttered the famous words, "Lafayette, we are here!"
On 4 October 1918, near Fleville, France, the 16th was the only Allied unit to take its objective during the opening drive of the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. 4 October is still celebrated as the 16th Infantry organizational day. The coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
pattern from Fleville
Fléville
Fléville is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-Population:-References:*...
was later included in the 16th's regimental crest.
The 16th twice earned the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
, France's highest military honor, for actions at Soissons and Fleville. Today 16th Infantry soldiers wear the fourragère
Fourragère
The fourragère is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, that is shaped as a braided cord. The award has been firstly adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.- History :...
on their uniform.
In September 1919, the Regiment returned to the United States and posted at Camp now Fort Dix, New Jersey. In 1920 the regiment was posted at Fort Jay
Fort Jay
Fort Jay is a harbor fortification and the name of the former Army post located on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Fort Jay is the oldest defensive structure on the island, built to defend Upper New York Bay, but has served other purposes...
, Governors Island
Governors Island
Governors Island is a island in Upper New York Bay, approximately one-half mile from the southern tip of Manhattan Island and separated from Brooklyn by Buttermilk Channel. It is legally part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City...
, New York and would remain the U.S. Army's "show" regiment for New York City. Mayor La Guardia named the 16th "New York's own" and the "Sidewalks of New York" became the regimental song. The regiment would remain at Fort Jay until February 1941 when reassigned to Fort Devens
Fort Devens
Fort Devens is an active United States military installation in the towns of Ayer and Shirley, in Middlesex County and Harvard in Worcester County in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It was named after jurist and Civil War general Charles Devens. The nearby Devens Reserve Forces Training Area is...
, Massachusetts and later Camp Blanding
Camp Blanding
Camp Blanding Joint Training Center is the primary military reservation and training base for the Florida National Guard, both the Florida Army National Guard and certain non-flying activities of the Florida Air National Guard. The installation is located in Clay County, Florida near the city of...
, Florida for combat training prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
World War II
As at the onset of World War I, the 16th Regiment was one of the first mobilized for overseas duty. Still part of the 1st Infantry Division, would take part in the landings in North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy. The US 16th Infantry Regiment's 1,700 soldiers were the first American infantry to land on the beaches of North Africa during Operation Torch. Fox Company, 2nd Battalion of the 16th Infantry was the first unit in the 1st Division to take part in an offensive operation when Fox Company supported by Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, and George Company, 3rd Battalion supported by tanks from 1st Armored assaulted the Le Senia Airfield just south of Oran, Algeria. The 400 Americans killed 270 German soldiers and captured 700 of them without loss. During the Battle of Kasserine Pass the 16th Infantry counter-attacked a line that had been left open by retreating units of the 26th Infantry Regiment. During Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily) the 16th was the first American unit to land on the beaches of Sicily near Gela and capture the city with heavy losses on the beach. On 15 July, elements of the 16th Infantry raced north to rescue units of the 82nd Airborne Division near Piano Lupo and engaged the Herman Goring Panzer Division resulting in heavy German losses. The regiment then moved north taking several key cities and towns before taking part in the battle of Troina. Following Sicily, the 16th Infantry took part in the invasion of Europe when they landed at Omaha beach. With the rest of the 1st Infantry Division the 16th Infantry Regiment fought its way across Europe, ending the war in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
.
Vietnam
The 16th infantry regiment served in the Vietnam War with the rest of the division from 1965 to 1970.Bosnia-Herzegovina
1st Battalion deployed to BosniaBosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
in August 1999 through March 2000 along with supporting elements Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
for peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
operations. They were assigned under the 10th Mountain Division as part of SFOR 6
SFOR
The Stabilisation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. It replaced the previous force IFOR...
. They were assigned primarily to Camp Dobol but also had elements assigned to Camp McGovern, Camp Demi and Camp Comanche.
Operation cockroach
In August 2003 the 1-16th Infantry deployed to Fallujah and Ramadi, Iraq and returned to Ft. Riley, Kansas in October 2004. While in Iraq the battalion was attached to 82nd Airborne and then 1st Marine Expeditionary Unit. They fought in many skirmishes most notably the battle of Ramadi on 6 April 2004 with the First MEU in order to establish peace in the city. In 2006 1st Bn was split into 3 deployed companies and 6 training companies. A Company served in Africa while B Company and C Company served in Iraq respectively. D Company, I Company, K Company, L Company, M Company, N Company all took up the Army's newest and most important mission training and deploying MiTTs. In 2008 K Company became HHC while D Company became B Company and M Company became C Company (Bandido Charlie). During fiscal year 2009 the most decorated US Army Infantry Battalion will begin its transformation back to a regular unit and begin training to be deployed in the future.The 2nd Battalion was also featured in the US Army's new recruiting campaign "Army Strong". At the time of filming 2-16 IN was the only active Infantry battalion to not deploy in support of the Global war on Terror.
The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment deployed back to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-11 on 1 September 2009 under the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. It replaced the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment in Bayji, Iraq in an Advise & Assist role, supporting the 4th Iraqi Infantry Division as well as the local governments in its area of operations. The battalion redeployed to Fort Riley, Kansas in late April - Early May 2010 with the exception of Alpha company, which remained until August.
Notable 16th Infantry members
- Samuel FullerSamuel FullerSamuel Michael Fuller was an American screenwriter, novelist, and film director known for low-budget genre movies with controversial themes.-Personal life:...
, film director - Gregan Wortman, guitar player, composer and film-maker
- Mark Connors (LT), squad then platoon leader in F. Company WWII)
- Stanley H. FordStanley H. FordStanley Hamer Ford was a United States Army General. He was prominent as commander of the Philippine Department, 1st Infantry Division, VII Corps, VI Corps, and the Second United States Army.-Early life:Ford was born on January 30, 1877 in Columbus, Ohio...
, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, VII Corps, VI Corps, and Second United States Army - Allen West, Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment
- Timothy McVeighTimothy McVeighTimothy James McVeigh was a United States Army veteran and security guard who detonated a truck bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995...
, Oklahoma City Bomber - Bruce M. WrightBruce M. WrightBruce McMarion Wright was an American jurist and served on the New York State Supreme Court. Judge Wright is also the father of Geoffrey D.S. Wright a New York State Supreme Court Justice and Keith L.T...
, African American judge.
Medals of Honor
The following were awarded the Medal of HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions while serving in the 16th
| Name | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| CPT James M. Cutts | The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Petersburg | May-Oct 1864 |
| 1LT John H. Patterson John Henry Patterson (soldier) John Henry Patterson was a Union officer during the American Civil War and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for courage under fire at the Battle of the Wilderness.-Biography:... |
The Wilderness | 5 May 1864 |
| SGT Henry F. Schroeder Henry F. Schroeder Henry F. Schroeder was a Sergeant in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor during the Philippine-American War at Carig in the Philippines.-Medal of Honor citation:... |
Carig, Philippine Islands | 14 Sep 1900 |
| 1LT Jimmie W. Monteith Jimmie W. Monteith Jimmie Waters Monteith, Jr. was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in World War II at the D-Day landings in Normandy, France.-Early years:... |
Colleville-sur-Mer, France | 6 June 1944 |
| Tech5 John J. Pinder, Jr. John J. Pinder, Jr. John J. Pinder, Jr., was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II during the Battle of Normandy.-Biography:... |
Colleville-sur-Mer, France | 6 June 1944 |
| TSGT Jake W. Lindsey Jake W. Lindsey Jake William Lindsey, Sr., was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:... |
Hamich, Germany | 16 Nov 1944 |
| PVT Robert T. Henry Robert T. Henry Robert T. Henry was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:... |
Luchem, Germany | 3 Dec 1944 |
| SGT James W. Robinson, Jr. James W. Robinson, Jr. James William "Jim" Robinson, Jr. was an American soldier and a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. Robinson earned the award while serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam... |
Near Courtenay Plantation, Viet Nam | 11 Apr 1966 |
| PSGT Matthew Leonard Matthew Leonard Matthew Leonard was a United States Army soldier who received America's highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Vietnam War.-Biography:... |
Soui Da, Viet Nam | 28 Feb 1968 |
Trivia
- The 16th Infantry was the featured unit in the motion picture The Big Red OneThe Big Red OneThe Big Red One is a World War II war film starring Lee Marvin and Mark Hamill. Written and directed by Samuel Fuller, it was produced by Lorimar and released by United Artists in the US on July 18, 1980...
. - The 16th is also the regiment Fox Company of the game Call of Duty 2: Big Red OneCall of Duty 2: Big Red OneCall of Duty 2: Big Red One is a World War II video game for the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox and acts as a spin-off of Call of Duty 2. It was released on November 1, 2005, in North America...
. - The 2nd Battalion 16th Infantry unit was featured in the book The Good Soldiers by David FinkelDavid FinkelDavid Louis Finkel is an American journalist. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 2006 as a staff writer at the Washington Post. He is currently assigned to the national staff as an enterprise reporter. He has also worked for the Post's foreign staff division...
. - The 16th Infantry Regiment is the most decorated unit in the Army.
External links
1st Battalion
- 1st Battalion 16th Infantry on Ft. Riley's web site
- 1st Battalion Lineage Honors at the United States Army Center of Military History
- The U.S. Army's only officially Named Company C 1-16 INF
2nd Battalion
- 2nd Battalion 16th Infantry on Ft. Riley's web site
- 2nd Battalion Lineage and Honors at the United States Army Center of Military History