U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 69th Infantry Regiment is a military unit from New York City
, part of the New York Army National Guard
. It is known as the Fighting Sixty-Ninth, a name said to have been given to it by Robert E. Lee
during the Civil War
. As the citation from poet Joyce Kilmer illustrates, this unit is also the original owner of "Fighting Irish" nickname, which the University of Notre Dame inherited via chaplains who served with the unit during the Civil War. Between 1917 and 1992 it was also designated as the 165th Infantry Regiment.
The regiment currently consists of a single light infantry battalion (1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment) and is part of the 27th Brigade Combat Team
of the 42nd Infantry Division. Its history dates back to 1849, when it was created as the 9th Regiment New York State Militia, and A Company, 1/69 can trace roots back to the American Revolution
. The regiment has seen combat in five wars: the Civil War, World War I
, World War II
, Iraq War and the Afghanistan War
. It has also participated in 23 campaigns, so many that the staffs of its regimental colors are authorized to be one foot longer than normal to accommodate them all.
It is an Irish heritage
unit, with many of its traditions and symbols deriving from a time when the regiment was made entirely of Irish-Americans. The regiment's Civil War Era battle cry was "Faugh a Ballagh," which is Irish Gaelic meaning "Clear the Way." This is reminiscent of the cry of the Irish Brigade of the French Army
in the Battle of Fontenoy
. A World War I era battle cry is "Garryowen in Glory!" Its motto is "Gentle when stroked - Fierce when provoked" in reference to the Irish Wolfhounds on its crest and dress cap badges of 1861. New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue has always been led by the Regiment and its Irish Wolfhound
s. In some ceremonies, the regiment's officers and senior non-commissioned officers carry shillelaghs as a badge of rank. Additionally, it is traditional to wear a small sprig of greenery on ones headgear in combat, as was first done in the Civil War.
As can be seen in its combat history, the regiment takes pride in its aggressiveness to achieve its objectives, even when they seem impossible. As one war correspondent said during during the Civil War, "When anything absurd, forlorn, or desperate was to be attempted, the Irish Brigade was called upon."
The unit's Regimental crest depicts both the 1861 Regimental dress cap device braced by two Irish Wolfhound
s and the red shamrock
of the First Division of the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac
in the Civil War. These are separated by a rainbow depicting the units service as a founding regiment of the 42nd Rainbow Division in World War I. Like all New York National Guard units, is surmounted by Henry Hudson
's ship "The Half-Moon". The Green background is a unique honor; most infantry units are required to have an infantry blue background. The regiment has this because its Civil War Regimental colors (flags) were green with the Golden Harp of Ireland
.
of the American Revolutionary War.
, Irish revolutionary activity moved to New York City. Irish patriots believed they needed an Irish Brigade to free Ireland from Britain. In late 1848, they organized independent military companies in the city. Drills were held at the Center Market and by mid 1849 a skeleton of the First Irish Regiment had been formed. It is to this regiment that the 69th traces its lineage. Michael Doheny
, a refugee from the failed 1848 Revolt, was a Company Commander of this Regiment. He was instrumental in the founding of all the early Irish Regiments.
In 1849, Irish revolutionary leaders in New York City convinced the State to form an Irish regiment from the independent companies. On December 21, 1849 the First Irish Regiment was adopted by the State. Michael Doheny, Richard O’Gorman, and James Huston, (who had participated in the failed Irish Revolt of 1848) and Michael Phelan, who had not, all believed in training soldiers within the New York State Militia to free Ireland. As a result, the “original Ninth Regiment”, formed in 1799, was disbanded May 27, 1850 and its companies transferred to the Eighth Regiment. Two days later, on May 29, 1850, the First Irish Regiment was mustered into the New York State Militia as the 9th Regiment with Colonel Benjamin Clinton Ferris, Commander.
The Second Irish Regiment was organized on October 12, 1851 and mustered into the New York State Militia on November 1, 1851 as the 69th Regiment. Michael Doheny left the 9th and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 69th. In May 1852, the 72d Regiment, was established on Long Island.
Thomas Francis Meagher
, another leader of the failed Rebellion of 1848, escaped to New York in 1852. Doheny then began to organize another Irish Regiment with Meagher as the Commander. Doheny left the 69th to become the Lt. Colonel of this new 75th Regiment formed from new and existing companies as the Republican Rifles (4th Irish Regiment)). Since Meagher was rarely in New York, Doheny was the actual Commander. The Irish Brigade was now substantially in place by the summer of 1853.
Leaders moved between the 3 regiments throughout the 1850s. Captain James Huston left the 9th to join the 69th as did Michael Doheny. Meagher was elected Lieutenant Colonel by the 69th in 1855 but declined the position as he was not a citizen. The three Irish regiments co-existed until late 1858 when all three were rolled into the 69th. Thus the rest of the Irish Brigade went out of existence until the Civil War. The 9th Regiment ceased to exist until 1859 when it was once again organized.
, the “American Guard”, commanded by Colonel Vosburg until he died in 1861. Although the 69th and the 71st represented opposite views and had no contact during the 1850s, they became close in 1861 when both were stationed in Washington prior to the First Battle of Bull Run.
Within the 9th Regiment, Captain James Houston commanded a secret organization of Irish revolutionaries known as the “SF”. The “SF” (called “Silent Friends” by Patrick D. O’Flaherty in “The History of the Sixty-Ninth Regiment of the New York State Militia 1851 to 1861”) was called the “Sinn Feins” by J.C.P. Stokes, the Historian of the 9th Regiment in his November 4, 1953 letter to BG Keys concerning the history of the Irish 9th.
The 1854 Crimean War
was an opportunity for Irish Revolutionaries but disputes between James Huston (leader of the SFs) and Michael Doheny crippled any action. Huston left the 69th but conflicts continued. Although radical Irish societies were formed, all attempts to strike a blow for Ireland failed. Conflicts between Archbishop Hughes and the Irish Revolutionary leaders further exacerbated the situation.
In 1855, racial, religious, and political tension was high in New York City. In January, the prominent Native American gang leader "Bill the Butcher” Poole was killed. Two Irishmen were arrested for the crime. The Know Nothings tried to stir up anti-Catholic sentiments. There were several riots and both the 69th and the 9th were called to restore order. It was decided that military units would not march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade because of the tensions. On St. Patrick’s Day 1855, the 9th, 69th, 7th and 12th Regiments were held at the parade ground to await orders rather than march in the Parade. As soon as the 69th was released, they marched with fixed bayonets down Broadway through the Park before they were dismissed. The other military units did not march. Other states eliminated ethnic oriented militias in the 1850s because of similar tensions. By 1858 the only Irish Regiment remaining would be the 69th.
A new Irish secret society called the Fenian
s arose. Although not powerful within the 9th, they were extremely so within the 69th. After the consolidation with the 9th in 1858, the 69th adopted the 9th name of “National Cadets”. The Fenians were founded as the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood in 1858 by James Stephens, a leader of the 1848 Revolt. Michael Corcoran was second in command. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Corcoran commanded the 69th Regiment and was also the head of the Fenians. As their leader, he advised the Fenian membership not to join the militia.
was named Colonel
of the 69th. He gained fame and notoriety when he refused to parade the regiment for the visiting Prince of Wales
in protest of the British response to the Irish Famine. He was placed under arrest, but the charges were dropped when the bombardment of Fort Sumter
began the Civil War.
During the Civil War, Irish Republican leaders supported the Irish militia. Michael Phalen (leader of the SF group within the 9th) and Richard O’Gorman, raised funds for families of 69th soldiers wounded at Bull Run in 1861. Huston was killed at Gettysburg in 1863. Meagher returned from Bull Run to form the new Irish Brigade. Corcoran, captured at Bull Run, returned to New York and formed another Irish Brigade called Corcoran’s Legion. Doheny died in 1862. In the early 1850s, he had stopped believing that Irish units should be organized within the militia system since it created a conflict of allegiances.
The 69th New York Militia was called up and sent to Washington in April 1861. After engaging in the assault in the First Battle of Bull Run
, the regiment, along with the Fire Zouaves, formed the rear-guard of the Union Army
and protected it as it made its retreat towards Washington
. Corcoran was captured during the battle. Thomas Francis Meagher
, Captain of the regiment's Zouave
company, was promoted to Colonel.
and given command of the new brigade. The "Irish Brigade
", then 3,000 strong, saw heavy action during the Seven Days battles
.
, the 69th led the brigade in a charge against advancing Southern troops. The 69th forced the retreat of the famed Confederate Irish Regiment Louisiana Tigers
, an event for which General Robert E. Lee
gave the regiment its nickname, "The Fighting 69th". Later, in both World War I
and in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 69th and the Louisiana Tigers fought side by side against a common enemy. At Antietam
, General Meagher personally led the 69th as the Irish Brigade charged the Sunken Road. The 69th, already badly mauled, suffered 60% casualties.
, suffering higher casualties than it had at Antietam. Afterwards, the audacity of the attack was saluted with a rousing cheer by the Confederate defenders. The day after the battle, the 69th was issued its famed "2nd Colors", one set of which were later given to the Oireachtas
by John F. Kennedy
on the centennial of the battle. After Chancellorsville
, only 300 men remained in the regiment. General Meagher resigned as commander of the Irish Brigade, stating that "the brigade ceased to exist." The 69th's commander, Patrick Kelly
was named as the new commander of the brigade. At Gettysburg
the regiment, vastly outnumbered, held the Wheatfield until it was overwhelmed.
es. At the end of the summer of 1864, the 69th rejoined its Irish comrades as 1st Regiment of the 2nd Irish Brigade. The brigade served until the end of the war and was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox
. Out of more than 2,000 regiments that served with the Union Army, the 69th lost more men than all but six regiments.
and returned to New York. All the regiments of the Irish Brigade were disbanded except the 69th, which remained part of the New York National Guard. The 69th remained a place of unity and culture for Irish Americans in the post war years. It was called into active service in 1898 for the Spanish American War, transported to Chickamauga, Georgia
, Tampa, Florida
and Huntsville, Alabama
, but it did not see combat due to the brevity of that war. In 1916, the regiment was posted to McAllen, Texas
along the Mexican border during the Punitive expedition
.
The outbreak of World War I
saw a resurrection of the old spirit of the 69th. Doubled in size by new War Department regulations, its ranks were filled with Irish-Americans and New Yorkers detailed from other regiments, and it was sent over to France in October 1917 as part of the 42nd "Rainbow" Division of the American Expeditionary Force
. All National Guard
regiments received new "100 series" regimental numbers at that time. The 69th was renumbered the 165th Infantry Regiment, but retained its Irish symbolism and spirit, and every member since then has been designated an honorary Irishman. As Father Duffy described non-Irish who join the Regiment, "They are Irish by adoption, Irish by association, or Irish by conviction".
. It then undertook a legendary muddy 80 mile march just after Christmas through the Vosges
mountains to Longeau and Luneville
. It had its first combat experience on February 26, 1918 in the nearby trenches of the Rouge Bouquet Chaussilles. While there, it suffered its first combat casualties, including the deaths of 21 men from the second battalion on March 7 when a dugout collapsed under bombardment. This event was memorialized in Sgt Joyce Kilmer
's poem "Rouge Bouquet
".
sector. On June 18, it moved to the Champagne
sector near St. Hillaire. There, it and the rest of the Rainbow Division stopped the German advance in the Second Battle of the Marne
that began on July 14.
to relieve the embattled US 26th Division. The Fighting 69th led with distinction the crossing of the Ourcq River July 28–31 and suffering 264 KIA (including poet Sgt Joyce Kilmer
), 150 MIA, and 1200 WIA out of the 3000 man regiment in four days fighting. Having broken the German lines, who were now reluctantly retreating, 42nd Division Brigade Commander Douglas MacArthur
was looking to press forward. When informed that the other regiments had replied that they were "too fatigued" but that the decimated 69th replied that it would still "consider an order to advance as a compliment", he exclaimed "By God, it takes the Irish when you want a hard thing done!"
had finally amassed enough troops to form an autonomous American Army. Its first battle would be to pinch off the St. Mihiel
salient. The Rainbow Division with the Fighting 69th would participate from the right side pressing northwest from Beaumont
assisted by Lt. Col George S. Patton
's First Tank Brigade. Many days of marches through the rain brought the 69th to the jump off point by September 10, but the rain delayed the start to September 12. The Germans sensed the build-up and were in the process of withdrawing, so resistance was light. The regiment captured thousands of Germans in open field fighting while suffering 47 KIA and reached it's objective of St. Benoit on the 15th.
before returning to New York in the spring of 1919.
During World War I, total casualties of the regiment amounted to 644 KIA and 2,587 WIA (200 of whom would later die of their wounds) during 164 days of front-line combat. One member of the Regiment killed in World War I was Daniel Buckley who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Sixty members earned the Distinguished Service Cross
and three of its members were awarded the Medal of Honor
, including its famed 1st Battalion and later Regimental commander, William Joseph Donovan
. Col. Donovan went on to organize the OSS
in World War II, retiring as a Major General.
It also produced Father Francis Duffy
, "The Fighting Chaplain". In France, Duffy was always seen in the thick of battle, assisting the litter bearers in recovering the wounded, administering last rites, burying the dead, and encouraging the men, while unarmed, and at great risk to his own life. His bravery and inspired leadership was so great that at one point the Brigade Commander, General Douglas MacArthur, even considered making him the Regimental Commander, an unheard of role for a Chaplain.
With the New York National Guard federalized during the war, a new state force, the New York Guard
, was organized in 1917 in order to have militia troops available if needed by the Governor of New York
under the New York State Constitution. As part of this, a replacement 69th Infantry Regiment was created. On January 7, 1921, the 165th Infantry Regiment was consolidated with the 69th Infantry of the New York Guard and reorganized as the 69th Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard.
During World War II
, the regiment again served with distinction. Still designated the 165th Infantry, it served with 27th Division (New York State's National Guard Division at the time) and was federalized October 15, 1940. It was first sent to Alabama
and Louisiana
for training. One week after Pearl Harbor
, it was sent to Inglewood, California
to assist in defense of the West Coast. Beginning in January 1942, the regiment made its way to Hawaii via Fort Ord
and San Francisco.
, they were recalled to Oahu
in October to begin training for the November 20, 1943 landings on Butaritari Island of Makin Atoll
, part of the Gilbert Islands
. There it was supplemented with artillery and armor to become the 165th Regimental Combat Team
. The regiments first and third infantry battalions would land on the western ("Red") Beach, which was expected to be the most heavily defended, and the second battalion would land on the Northern ("Yellow") beach to trap the defenders from behind. The Japanese actually kept their forces near the northern beach, so resistance on Red beach was minimal. Despite this, Col Gardiner Conroy, commander of the regiment, was killed there as he directed tanks to support the infantrymen. The second battalion landings were more difficult due to the enemy presence and the need to wade in from 250 yards out, but by noon the beach was secure. On November 21, the regiment secured Butaritari Village and endured a Banzai charge
that night. The regiment continued to sweep across the island and by mid morning on the 23rd, the signal "Makin Taken" was sent.
, the 27th Division served as a floating reserve. The Marines landed on June 15, 1944 but suffered large casualties, so the Fighting 69th was the first army unit ashore when it led the reinforcement landing at 1:17 AM on June 17. By nightfall, despite heavy opposition, the second battalion reached Aslito Airfield, while the first battalion fought for control of the ridge between the airfield and Cape Obian. The airfield was captured the next day, and the regiment began clearing operations toward Nafutan Point. The regiment was then redeployed to clear out "Purple Heart Ridge" on the 23rd, and accomplished that by the 27th despite heavy flanking fire. It next helped clear Hill Able and Hill King in "Death Valley" and advanced to Tanapag Harbor
on the west coast of the island by July 4. On July 7 it attacked Makunsha and secured it by July 8. The island was declared secured on July 9, although isolated resistance continued for a year. During the months of July and August, the regiment cleaned out isolated pockets in the mountains and cliffs of Saipan. Beginning in the middle of August, the unit moved to the New Hebrides for rest and rehabilitation. On March 25, 1945, the 27th Division sailed from Espiritu Santo, arriving at Okinawa, April 9, 1945.
, landings were made on the west coast in the vicinity of Kadena airfield
on April 1, 1945, with the Marine 1st and 6th divisions sweeping northeast and the Army 7th division moving south along the eastern coast and the 96th division moving south down the center of the island. The Fighting 69th as part of the 27th Division again served as a floating reserve. The Marines encountered little resistance and the two Army divisions moved rapidly south until they ran headlong into the previously unknown and very strong Manchinato line on April 6. When they were repulsed with heavy casualties, the 27th division was added to their right flank along the west coast to be part of a coordinated assault that began on April 19. The Fighting 69th formed the right side of the division and corps line along the western coast and fought its way south.
The terrain and defense were formidable. Numerous ridges, tunnels and prepared pillboxes were used by the enemy in a tenacious defense. It took the two battalions heavy and continuous fighting until April 26 to secure the Manchinato Airfield. During this engagement, the actions of F Company in overcoming obstacles while extremely outnumbered and cut-off resulted in a Distinguished Unit Citation and it being written up as a staff study on small unit effectiveness. Sgt. (then Pfc.) Alejandro R. Ruiz
was awarded the Medal Of Honor for actions while serving with A Company on the ridge.
Following the assault and capture of this key defensive line, the exhausted XXIV Army Corps was relieved on May 1 by the two Marine divisions and the 77th and 7th Infantry Divisions for the next assault southward. The 27th Division with the Fighting Sixty-Ninth then assumed the duties of the two Marine Divisions in securing the relatively calmer north end of the island. The enemy fought bitterly on Onnatake Hill from May 23 until June 2, before losing the strong point. After a mopping-up period, the division left Okinawa, September 7, 1945, moved to Japan and occupied Niigata
and Fukushima Prefecture
s.
In all, the regiment suffered 472 killed in action
during its service in the Second World War, but always achieved its objectives.
, Cazzie Russell was a member of the regiment and wrote a sports column for the regimental newspaper. In March 1970, the Regiment was called to Federal service for one week to assist during the Federal Mail Strike as part of Operation Graphic Hand. From 1993 to 1996, the regiment was reassigned to the Air Defense Artillery
branch. After howls of protest from the unit and its veterans, it returned to its traditional Infantry
roots and its original regimental number in 1996.
, the Fighting 69th was one of the first military units to respond to the attack on the World Trade Center
on September 11, 2001
, where it helped to secure Ground Zero
. Two members were killed during rescue operations, 1st Lieutenant Gerard Baptiste (FDNY) & Specialist
Thomas Jurgens (NYS Courts). Following duty at the WTC, 200 soldiers were mobilized to protect the United States Military Academy
, West Point, serving for 1 year. Numerous other members were on active duty providing protection to nuclear power plant
s, airport
s, bridges, tunnel
s, & train
s throughout the New York area as part of Operation Noble Eagle
.
and Fort Irwin, California before deploying. The Fighting 69th deployed to Iraq as a battalion under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel
Geoffrey Slack and Command Sergeant Major George Brett, the first time it had seen overseas combat since World War II
.
, Radwiniyah, and Baghdad
. The regiment's tradition of aggressive combat action helped suppress rocket and mortar attacks upon the Green Zone
and Camp Cooke. A local sheik in Taji assumed the 69th's Rainbow Division Insignia was a Special Forces patch because of their aggressiveness, but Lt Colonel Slack explained to him that it "meant they were from New York and eager to avenge the 9/11 attacks".
was responsible for finally securing the infamous "Route Irish" (the airport road) that linked the "Green Zone
" to BIAP airfield, Camp Victory
and the surrounding neighborhoods including al-Ameriyah. 19 members of the Regiment were Killed in Action
, and over 78 were Wounded in Action
during "Operation Wolfhound", named after the Irish Wolfhounds on its Regimental crest, before it returned to New York on September 15, 2005.
The March 2006 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade was dedicated to honor the service of The Fighting 69th. On March 13, 2008 the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 991 (H.Res.991) recognizing the exceptional sacrifice of the 69th Infantry Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, in support of the Global War on Terror. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), and passed unanimously.
as part of Task Force Phoenix
, attached to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, where it assisted in stability operations in the Hindu Kush
and in training the Afghan Security Forces. Before returning to New York in the summer of 2009, the Regiment suffered 4 KIA.
, Urban warfare
training at Fort Knox
, providing combat experience briefings to cadets at the United States Military Academy
, and sending companies for joint training in Puerto Rico
and to Japan
as part of Operation Orient Shield. The regiment is anticipating a possible deployment to federal service beginning in December 2011 as part of the now regular rotation of mobilizations among National Guard units.
wrote:
in New York City via short-wave radio from Manila
in the Philippines
, on January 24, 1940:
on June 28, 1963 with a tribute to the gallantry of the Fighting 69th:
The flag presented by Kennedy is displayed in Leinster House
, Dublin.
, the Mayor of New York City
, unveiled Ireland's national monument to the Fighting 69th on August 22, 2006 at Ballymote, County Sligo, the birth place of former Brigadier General Michael Corcoran
. The monument is a bronze column inscribed with scenes of Corcoran's life. Beside the gray, stone base is a small chamber set flush with the ground that contains a piece of steel from the World Trade Center donated by the parents of firefighter Michael Lynch, who perished in the attack.
In his remarks that day, Bloomberg said:
In a follow up to this visit, Mayor Bloomberg invited members of the 58th Reserve Infantry Battalion of the Irish Defence Forces to parade in New York City on St. Patrick's Day. The Battalion visited in 2010 and will return for the 2011 parade.
, Patrick Kelly, and Richard Byrnes may be found in Calvary Cemetery
in Woodside Queens, NY. A statue of Thomas Francis Meagher
may be found in Helena, Montana
, where he had later served as Governor.
Joyce Kilmer
and other men of the Sixty Ninth are interred at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in France. Father Duffy is memorialized in a statue at the north end of Times Square
, which is technically "Duffy Square
". World War II's Camp Kilmer
was named for Sgt. Joyce Kilmer
. Colonel William Donovan
is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
.
. Not only is this a high number for a National Guard regiment, all survived the actions for which they were awarded.
, Va., July 1, 1862. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: August 2, 1897.
Citation: Having been wounded and directed to the rear, declined to go, but continued in action, receiving several additional wounds, which resulted in his capture by the enemy and his total disability for military service.
, 13 December 1862. Entered service at:------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: January 17, 1894.
Citation: Voluntarily carried a wounded officer off the field from between the lines; while doing this he was himself wounded.
Citation: The advance of his regiment having been checked by intense machinegun fire of the enemy, who were entrenched on the crest of a hill before Landres-et St. Georges, his company retired to a sunken road to reorganize their position, leaving several of their number wounded near the enemy lines. Of his own volition, in broad daylight and under direct observation of the enemy and with utter disregard for his own safety, he advanced to the crest of the hill, rescued one of his wounded comrades, and returned under withering fire to his own lines, repeating his splendidly heroic act until he had brought in all the men, 6 in number.
Citation: Lt. Col. Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks. When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.
Citation: In advance of an assaulting line, he attacked a detachment of about 25 of the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand encounter he sustained pistol wounds, but heroically continued in the advance, during which he received additional wounds: but, with great physical effort, he remained in active command of his detachment. Being again wounded, he was forced by weakness and loss of blood to be evacuated, but insisted upon being taken first to the battalion commander in order to transmit to him valuable information relative to enemy positions and the disposition of our men.
, April 28, 1945. Entered service at: Carlsbad, N. Mex. Birth: Loving, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 60, June 26, 1946.
Citation: When his unit was stopped by a skillfully camouflaged enemy pillbox, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. His squad, suddenly brought under a hail of machinegun fire and a vicious grenade attack, was pinned down. Jumping to his feet, Pfc. Ruiz seized an automatic rifle and lunged through the flying grenades and rifle and automatic fire for the top of the emplacement. When an enemy soldier charged him, his rifle jammed. Undaunted, Pfc. Ruiz whirled on his assailant and clubbed him down. Then he ran back through bullets and grenades, seized more ammunition and another automatic rifle, and again made for the pillbox. Enemy fire now was concentrated on him, but he charged on, miraculously reaching the position, and in plain view he climbed to the top. Leaping from 1 opening to another, he sent burst after burst into the pillbox, killing 12 of the enemy and completely destroying the position. Pfc. Ruiz's heroic conduct, in the face of overwhelming odds, saved the lives of many comrades and eliminated an obstacle that long would have checked his unit's advance.
Other
on Lexington Avenue at 25th Street has the names of its Civil War Battles engraved on its front. A museum depicting history of the regiment is there and murals of the unit's past service adorn the mess rooms. Prior to the unit's realignment to Long Island
, Companies B & C were based at the Flushing Armory
on Northern Blvd. in Flushing
.
On April 12, 1983, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the 69th Regiment Armory an official New York City landmark. The armory was also the 1913 scene of one of the first exhibits of Modern Art
in the US, now simply referred to as the Armory Show
. It was even depicted on a US postage stamp.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks
the armory was used as an information and counseling center for the families of the victims of the attacks.
Historical reenactors and Civil War history
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, part of the New York Army National Guard
New York Army National Guard
The New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
. It is known as the Fighting Sixty-Ninth, a name said to have been given to it by Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. As the citation from poet Joyce Kilmer illustrates, this unit is also the original owner of "Fighting Irish" nickname, which the University of Notre Dame inherited via chaplains who served with the unit during the Civil War. Between 1917 and 1992 it was also designated as the 165th Infantry Regiment.
The regiment currently consists of a single light infantry battalion (1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment) and is part of the 27th Brigade Combat Team
27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)
The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is an Infantry brigade of the New York Army National Guard, one of the brigades that make up the 42nd Infantry Division.-Mission:...
of the 42nd Infantry Division. Its history dates back to 1849, when it was created as the 9th Regiment New York State Militia, and A Company, 1/69 can trace roots back to the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. The regiment has seen combat in five wars: the Civil War, World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Iraq War and the Afghanistan War
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
. It has also participated in 23 campaigns, so many that the staffs of its regimental colors are authorized to be one foot longer than normal to accommodate them all.
It is an Irish heritage
Irish-American Heritage Month
Irish-American Heritage Month is a special proclamation issued yearly by the US President or Congress to honor the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States of America. March is the Irish-American Heritage Month due to March 17 being the...
unit, with many of its traditions and symbols deriving from a time when the regiment was made entirely of Irish-Americans. The regiment's Civil War Era battle cry was "Faugh a Ballagh," which is Irish Gaelic meaning "Clear the Way." This is reminiscent of the cry of the Irish Brigade of the French Army
Irish Brigade (French)
The Irish Brigade was a brigade in the French army composed of Irish exiles, led by Robert Reid. It was formed in May 1690 when five Jacobite regiments were sent from Ireland to France in return for a larger force of French infantry who were sent to fight in the Williamite war in Ireland...
in the Battle of Fontenoy
Battle of Fontenoy
The Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745, was a major engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between the forces of the Pragmatic Allies – comprising mainly Dutch, British, and Hanoverian troops under the nominal command of the Duke of Cumberland – and a French army under Maurice de...
. A World War I era battle cry is "Garryowen in Glory!" Its motto is "Gentle when stroked - Fierce when provoked" in reference to the Irish Wolfhounds on its crest and dress cap badges of 1861. New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue has always been led by the Regiment and its Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish wolfhound is a breed of domestic dog , specifically a sighthound. The name originates from its purpose rather than from its appearance...
s. In some ceremonies, the regiment's officers and senior non-commissioned officers carry shillelaghs as a badge of rank. Additionally, it is traditional to wear a small sprig of greenery on ones headgear in combat, as was first done in the Civil War.
As can be seen in its combat history, the regiment takes pride in its aggressiveness to achieve its objectives, even when they seem impossible. As one war correspondent said during during the Civil War, "When anything absurd, forlorn, or desperate was to be attempted, the Irish Brigade was called upon."
The unit's Regimental crest depicts both the 1861 Regimental dress cap device braced by two Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish wolfhound is a breed of domestic dog , specifically a sighthound. The name originates from its purpose rather than from its appearance...
s and the red shamrock
Shamrock
The shamrock is a three-leafed old white clover. It is known as a symbol of Ireland. The name shamrock is derived from Irish , which is the diminutive version of the Irish word for clover ....
of the First Division of the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
in the Civil War. These are separated by a rainbow depicting the units service as a founding regiment of the 42nd Rainbow Division in World War I. Like all New York National Guard units, is surmounted by Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson was an English sea explorer and navigator in the early 17th century. Hudson made two attempts on behalf of English merchants to find a prospective Northeast Passage to Cathay via a route above the Arctic Circle...
's ship "The Half-Moon". The Green background is a unique honor; most infantry units are required to have an infantry blue background. The regiment has this because its Civil War Regimental colors (flags) were green with the Golden Harp of Ireland
Coat of arms of Ireland
The arms of Ireland is blazoned as Azure a harp Or, stringed Argent . These arms have long been Ireland's heraldic emblem. References to them as being the arms of the king of Ireland can be found as early as the 13th century...
.
Early history and lineage
Late in the 20th century, the U.S. Army changed the lineage and the founding date of the 69th Regiment from 1851 to December 21, 1849 with Company A/1st Battalion descending from the 8th Company of the 1st New York Regiment1st New York Regiment
The 1st New York Regiment was authorized on 25 May 1775 and organized at New York City from 28 June to 4 August, for service with the Continental Army under the command of Colonel Alexander McDougall...
of the American Revolutionary War.
Irish Revolutionary Movement Origins
After the failed Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848
The Young Irelander Rebellion was a failed Irish nationalist uprising led by the Young Ireland movement. It took place on 29 July 1848 in the village of Ballingarry, County Tipperary. After being chased by a force of Young Irelanders and their supporters, an Irish Constabulary unit raided a house...
, Irish revolutionary activity moved to New York City. Irish patriots believed they needed an Irish Brigade to free Ireland from Britain. In late 1848, they organized independent military companies in the city. Drills were held at the Center Market and by mid 1849 a skeleton of the First Irish Regiment had been formed. It is to this regiment that the 69th traces its lineage. Michael Doheny
Michael Doheny
Michael Doheny was an Irish writer and member of the Young Ireland movement.-Early life:The third son of Michael Doheny, of Brookhill, he was born at Brookhill, near Fethard, Co. Tipperary, and married a Miss O'Dwyer of that county...
, a refugee from the failed 1848 Revolt, was a Company Commander of this Regiment. He was instrumental in the founding of all the early Irish Regiments.
In 1849, Irish revolutionary leaders in New York City convinced the State to form an Irish regiment from the independent companies. On December 21, 1849 the First Irish Regiment was adopted by the State. Michael Doheny, Richard O’Gorman, and James Huston, (who had participated in the failed Irish Revolt of 1848) and Michael Phelan, who had not, all believed in training soldiers within the New York State Militia to free Ireland. As a result, the “original Ninth Regiment”, formed in 1799, was disbanded May 27, 1850 and its companies transferred to the Eighth Regiment. Two days later, on May 29, 1850, the First Irish Regiment was mustered into the New York State Militia as the 9th Regiment with Colonel Benjamin Clinton Ferris, Commander.
The Second Irish Regiment was organized on October 12, 1851 and mustered into the New York State Militia on November 1, 1851 as the 69th Regiment. Michael Doheny left the 9th and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 69th. In May 1852, the 72d Regiment, was established on Long Island.
Thomas Francis Meagher
Thomas Francis Meagher
-Young Ireland:Meagher returned to Ireland in 1843, with undecided plans for a career in the Austrian army, a tradition among a number of Irish families. In 1844 he traveled to Dublin with the intention of studying for the bar. He became involved in the Repeal Association, which worked for repeal...
, another leader of the failed Rebellion of 1848, escaped to New York in 1852. Doheny then began to organize another Irish Regiment with Meagher as the Commander. Doheny left the 69th to become the Lt. Colonel of this new 75th Regiment formed from new and existing companies as the Republican Rifles (4th Irish Regiment)). Since Meagher was rarely in New York, Doheny was the actual Commander. The Irish Brigade was now substantially in place by the summer of 1853.
Leaders moved between the 3 regiments throughout the 1850s. Captain James Huston left the 9th to join the 69th as did Michael Doheny. Meagher was elected Lieutenant Colonel by the 69th in 1855 but declined the position as he was not a citizen. The three Irish regiments co-existed until late 1858 when all three were rolled into the 69th. Thus the rest of the Irish Brigade went out of existence until the Civil War. The 9th Regiment ceased to exist until 1859 when it was once again organized.
Tensions in New York City
The new Irish Regiments caused uneasiness among American “Nativists” of the Know Nothing Party. In 1852, the Nativists formed a new militia regiment designated the 71st Regiment71st Infantry Regiment (New York)
The 71st Infantry Regiment is an organization of the New York State Guard. Formerly, the 71st Infantry was a regiment of the New York State Militia and then the Army National Guard from 1850 to 1993.-Foundation:...
, the “American Guard”, commanded by Colonel Vosburg until he died in 1861. Although the 69th and the 71st represented opposite views and had no contact during the 1850s, they became close in 1861 when both were stationed in Washington prior to the First Battle of Bull Run.
Within the 9th Regiment, Captain James Houston commanded a secret organization of Irish revolutionaries known as the “SF”. The “SF” (called “Silent Friends” by Patrick D. O’Flaherty in “The History of the Sixty-Ninth Regiment of the New York State Militia 1851 to 1861”) was called the “Sinn Feins” by J.C.P. Stokes, the Historian of the 9th Regiment in his November 4, 1953 letter to BG Keys concerning the history of the Irish 9th.
The 1854 Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
was an opportunity for Irish Revolutionaries but disputes between James Huston (leader of the SFs) and Michael Doheny crippled any action. Huston left the 69th but conflicts continued. Although radical Irish societies were formed, all attempts to strike a blow for Ireland failed. Conflicts between Archbishop Hughes and the Irish Revolutionary leaders further exacerbated the situation.
A new Irish secret society called the Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
s arose. Although not powerful within the 9th, they were extremely so within the 69th. After the consolidation with the 9th in 1858, the 69th adopted the 9th name of “National Cadets”. The Fenians were founded as the Irish Revolutionary Brotherhood in 1858 by James Stephens, a leader of the 1848 Revolt. Michael Corcoran was second in command. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Corcoran commanded the 69th Regiment and was also the head of the Fenians. As their leader, he advised the Fenian membership not to join the militia.
The Prince of Wales Parade
In 1860, Michael CorcoranMichael Corcoran
Michael Corcoran was an Irish American general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a close confidant of President Abraham Lincoln. As its colonel, he led the 69th New York regiment to Washington, D.C. and was one of the first to serve in the defense of Washington by building Fort...
was named Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the 69th. He gained fame and notoriety when he refused to parade the regiment for the visiting Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
in protest of the British response to the Irish Famine. He was placed under arrest, but the charges were dropped when the bombardment of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :...
began the Civil War.
During the Civil War, Irish Republican leaders supported the Irish militia. Michael Phalen (leader of the SF group within the 9th) and Richard O’Gorman, raised funds for families of 69th soldiers wounded at Bull Run in 1861. Huston was killed at Gettysburg in 1863. Meagher returned from Bull Run to form the new Irish Brigade. Corcoran, captured at Bull Run, returned to New York and formed another Irish Brigade called Corcoran’s Legion. Doheny died in 1862. In the early 1850s, he had stopped believing that Irish units should be organized within the militia system since it created a conflict of allegiances.
The Civil War
The 69th Infantry Regiment traces its Civil War honors through three units, the 1st Regiment of the Irish Brigade (69th Infantry New York State Volunteers (NYSV) (1st Regiment of the Irish Brigade)), the 182d Infantry New York State Volunteers (69th Artillery, serving as infantry, the 1st Regiment of Corcoran's Legion) and the 69th National Guard Infantry (State Militia).Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run
First Battle of Bull Run, also known as First Manassas , was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas...
, the regiment, along with the Fire Zouaves, formed the rear-guard of the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
and protected it as it made its retreat towards Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. Corcoran was captured during the battle. Thomas Francis Meagher
Thomas Francis Meagher
-Young Ireland:Meagher returned to Ireland in 1843, with undecided plans for a career in the Austrian army, a tradition among a number of Irish families. In 1844 he traveled to Dublin with the intention of studying for the bar. He became involved in the Repeal Association, which worked for repeal...
, Captain of the regiment's Zouave
Zouave
Zouave was the title given to certain light infantry regiments in the French Army, normally serving in French North Africa between 1831 and 1962. The name was also adopted during the 19th century by units in other armies, especially volunteer regiments raised for service in the American Civil War...
company, was promoted to Colonel.
The Seven Days
After 90 days service, the 69th New York State Militia was mustered out and re-enrolled as the 69th New York State Volunteers. Meagher proposed the creation of an Irish Brigade in which the 69th would form the first regiment. Meagher was promoted to Brigadier GeneralBrigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
and given command of the new brigade. The "Irish Brigade
Irish Brigade (US)
The Irish Brigade was an infantry brigade, consisting predominantly of Irish Americans, that served in the Union Army in the American Civil War. The designation of the first regiment in the brigade, the 69th New York Infantry, or the "Fighting 69th", continued in later wars...
", then 3,000 strong, saw heavy action during the Seven Days battles
Seven Days Battles
The Seven Days Battles was a series of six major battles over the seven days from June 25 to July 1, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia during the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee drove the invading Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, away from...
.
Malvern Hill and Antietem
At Malvern HillBattle of Malvern Hill
The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter's Farm, took place on July 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, on the seventh and last day of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a series of disjointed assaults on the nearly impregnable...
, the 69th led the brigade in a charge against advancing Southern troops. The 69th forced the retreat of the famed Confederate Irish Regiment Louisiana Tigers
Louisiana Tigers
Louisiana Tigers was the common nickname for certain infantry troops from the state of Louisiana in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Originally applied to a specific company, the nickname expanded to a battalion, then to a brigade, and eventually to all Louisiana troops...
, an event for which General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
gave the regiment its nickname, "The Fighting 69th". Later, in both World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 69th and the Louisiana Tigers fought side by side against a common enemy. At Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
, General Meagher personally led the 69th as the Irish Brigade charged the Sunken Road. The 69th, already badly mauled, suffered 60% casualties.
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg
The Regiment was virtually destroyed in its uphill attack on the well-prepared Confederate positions on Marye's Heights during the Battle of 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...
, suffering higher casualties than it had at Antietam. Afterwards, the audacity of the attack was saluted with a rousing cheer by the Confederate defenders. The day after the battle, the 69th was issued its famed "2nd Colors", one set of which were later given to the Oireachtas
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas , sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the "national parliament" or legislature of Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of:*The President of Ireland*The two Houses of the Oireachtas :**Dáil Éireann...
by John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
on the centennial of the battle. After Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
, only 300 men remained in the regiment. General Meagher resigned as commander of the Irish Brigade, stating that "the brigade ceased to exist." The 69th's commander, Patrick Kelly
Patrick Kelly (Colonel)
Patrick Kelly was an Irish-American Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He led the famed Irish Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg.-Early life:...
was named as the new commander of the brigade. At 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...
the regiment, vastly outnumbered, held the Wheatfield until it was overwhelmed.
Petersburg & Appomattox
Following Gettysburg, the Irish Brigade ceased to exist as a functioning unit and was disbanded in June 1864. The depleted ranks of the 69th Regiment were filled with new volunteers and draftees from New York's Irish ghettoGhetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
es. At the end of the summer of 1864, the 69th rejoined its Irish comrades as 1st Regiment of the 2nd Irish Brigade. The brigade served until the end of the war and was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox
Appomattox Court House
The Appomattox Courthouse is the current courthouse in Appomattox, Virginia built in 1892. It is located in the middle of the state about three miles northwest of the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, once known as Clover Hill - home of the original Old Appomattox Court House...
. Out of more than 2,000 regiments that served with the Union Army, the 69th lost more men than all but six regiments.
Return and Reconstitution
The regiment marched in the Washington, D.C. victory paradeGrand Review of the Armies
The Grand Review of the Armies was a military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., on May 23 and May 24, 1865, following the close of the American Civil War...
and returned to New York. All the regiments of the Irish Brigade were disbanded except the 69th, which remained part of the New York National Guard. The 69th remained a place of unity and culture for Irish Americans in the post war years. It was called into active service in 1898 for the Spanish American War, transported to Chickamauga, Georgia
Chickamauga, Georgia
Chickamauga is a city in Walker County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,245 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Chattanooga, TN–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
and Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
, but it did not see combat due to the brevity of that war. In 1916, the regiment was posted to McAllen, Texas
McAllen, Texas
McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the . Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio...
along the Mexican border during the Punitive expedition
Pancho Villa Expedition
The Pancho Villa Expedition—officially known in the United States as the Mexican Expedition and sometimes colloquially referred to as the Punitive Expedition—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Mexican insurgent Francisco "Pancho" Villa...
.
World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
saw a resurrection of the old spirit of the 69th. Doubled in size by new War Department regulations, its ranks were filled with Irish-Americans and New Yorkers detailed from other regiments, and it was sent over to France in October 1917 as part of the 42nd "Rainbow" Division of the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
. All National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
regiments received new "100 series" regimental numbers at that time. The 69th was renumbered the 165th Infantry Regiment, but retained its Irish symbolism and spirit, and every member since then has been designated an honorary Irishman. As Father Duffy described non-Irish who join the Regiment, "They are Irish by adoption, Irish by association, or Irish by conviction".
Rouge Bouquet
Arriving in France in November 1917, the regiment first engaged in training near Valcouleurs and GrandGrand, Vosges
Grand is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.Grand is known for its Roman amphitheatre, mosaics and aqueduct.- External links :*...
. It then undertook a legendary muddy 80 mile march just after Christmas through the Vosges
Vosges
Vosges is a French department, named after the local mountain range. It contains the hometown of Joan of Arc, Domrémy.-History:The Vosges department is one of the original 83 departments of France, created on February 9, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was made of territories that had been...
mountains to Longeau and Luneville
Lunéville
Lunéville is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department and lies on the Meurthe River.-History:...
. It had its first combat experience on February 26, 1918 in the nearby trenches of the Rouge Bouquet Chaussilles. While there, it suffered its first combat casualties, including the deaths of 21 men from the second battalion on March 7 when a dugout collapsed under bombardment. This event was memorialized in Sgt Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer
Alfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
's poem "Rouge Bouquet
Joyce Kilmer
Alfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
".
Champagne
After participating in numerous raids into German territory and suffering significant casualties from mustard gas attacks, the regiment was placed in reserve in the BaccaratBaccarat, Meurthe-et-Moselle
Baccarat is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-Crystal:In 1764, King Louis XV granted permission to the Bishop of Metz to establish a glassworks at Baccarat...
sector. On June 18, it moved to the Champagne
Champagne, France
Champagne is a historic province in the northeast of France, now best known for the sparkling white wine that bears its name.Formerly ruled by the counts of Champagne, its western edge is about 100 miles east of Paris. The cities of Troyes, Reims, and Épernay are the commercial centers of the area...
sector near St. Hillaire. There, it and the rest of the Rainbow Division stopped the German advance in the Second Battle of the Marne
Second Battle of the Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne , or Battle of Reims was the last major German Spring Offensive on the Western Front during the First World War. The German attack failed when an Allied counterattack led by France overwhelmed the Germans, inflicting severe casualties...
that began on July 14.
Château-Thierry
On July 24, the 42nd Division moved to Chateau ThierryBattle of Château-Thierry (1918)
The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on 18 July 1918 and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing...
to relieve the embattled US 26th Division. The Fighting 69th led with distinction the crossing of the Ourcq River July 28–31 and suffering 264 KIA (including poet Sgt Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer
Alfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
), 150 MIA, and 1200 WIA out of the 3000 man regiment in four days fighting. Having broken the German lines, who were now reluctantly retreating, 42nd Division Brigade Commander Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
was looking to press forward. When informed that the other regiments had replied that they were "too fatigued" but that the decimated 69th replied that it would still "consider an order to advance as a compliment", he exclaimed "By God, it takes the Irish when you want a hard thing done!"
St. Mihiel
After Chateau Thiery, the regiment refitted. Replacements from all over the US arrived, becoming about 65 percent of the regiments enlisted men and nearly 75 percent of the officers. Meanwhile, AEF Commander General John J. PershingJohn J. Pershing
John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
had finally amassed enough troops to form an autonomous American Army. Its first battle would be to pinch off the St. Mihiel
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12–15, 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48,000 French troops under the command of U.S. general John J. Pershing against German positions...
salient. The Rainbow Division with the Fighting 69th would participate from the right side pressing northwest from Beaumont
Beaumont
-Canada:* Beaumont, Alberta* Lushes Bight – Beaumont – Beaumont North, Newfoundland and Labrador* Beaumont, Quebec- France :The following communes:* Beaumont, Ardèche* Beaumont, Corrèze* Beaumont, Gers* Beaumont, Haute-Loire* Beaumont, Meurthe-et-Moselle...
assisted by Lt. Col George S. Patton
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
's First Tank Brigade. Many days of marches through the rain brought the 69th to the jump off point by September 10, but the rain delayed the start to September 12. The Germans sensed the build-up and were in the process of withdrawing, so resistance was light. The regiment captured thousands of Germans in open field fighting while suffering 47 KIA and reached it's objective of St. Benoit on the 15th.
Meuse-Argonne
Its final exploits came when the 42nd Division relieved the 1st Infantry Division during the 3rd phase of the Meuse-Argonne offense. Attacking against a well entrenched enemy in terrible terrain without support from units on its flanks, the regiment suffered heavy casualties while moving forward and captured Hill 252 overlooking the Meuse River on November 7. Once again, it was the tip of the spear of the American Army. The war ended 4 days later, but the 69th then served as occupation troops in RemagenRemagen
Remagen is a town in Germany in Rhineland-Palatinate, in the district of Ahrweiler. It is about a one hour drive from Cologne , just south of Bonn, the former West German capital. It is situated on the River Rhine. There is a ferry across the Rhine from Remagen every 10–15 minutes in the summer...
before returning to New York in the spring of 1919.
Return & Recognition
Upon the return from France, Col. Donovan remarked that "The morale of the regiment has never been better than it is today. Formerly 85 percent of its strength were of Irish descent, and now it is only 50 percent, but the spirit of the old Fighting 69th is stronger than ever. The replacements, whether they are Jews, Italians, or other foreign descent, are more Irish now than the Irish!". He also later pointed out that at one point during Argonne battle, the adjutants of all three battalions were Jews, one Lieutenant was born in Germany, and another Lieutenant was a full blooded Choctaw from Oklahoma.During World War I, total casualties of the regiment amounted to 644 KIA and 2,587 WIA (200 of whom would later die of their wounds) during 164 days of front-line combat. One member of the Regiment killed in World War I was Daniel Buckley who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Sixty members earned the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
and three of its members were awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal 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...
, including its famed 1st Battalion and later Regimental commander, William Joseph Donovan
William Joseph Donovan
William Joseph Donovan was a United States soldier, lawyer and intelligence officer, best remembered as the wartime head of the Office of Strategic Services...
. Col. Donovan went on to organize the OSS
Office of Strategic Services
The Office of Strategic Services was a United States intelligence agency formed during World War II. It was the wartime intelligence agency, and it was a predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency...
in World War II, retiring as a Major General.
It also produced Father Francis Duffy
Francis P. Duffy
Francis Patrick Duffy was an American soldier, Roman Catholic priest and chaplain. As the chaplain for the "Fighting 69th", he became the most highly decorated cleric in the history of the U.S. Army. Duffy Square, the northern half of Times Square, is named after him.-Early life and...
, "The Fighting Chaplain". In France, Duffy was always seen in the thick of battle, assisting the litter bearers in recovering the wounded, administering last rites, burying the dead, and encouraging the men, while unarmed, and at great risk to his own life. His bravery and inspired leadership was so great that at one point the Brigade Commander, General Douglas MacArthur, even considered making him the Regimental Commander, an unheard of role for a Chaplain.
With the New York National Guard federalized during the war, a new state force, the New York Guard
New York Guard
The New York Guard is the State Defense Force of New York State. As of June 2008, the New York Guard, a recognized command under the New York State's Military law, has line-item funding in the state budget....
, was organized in 1917 in order to have militia troops available if needed by the Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
under the New York State Constitution. As part of this, a replacement 69th Infantry Regiment was created. On January 7, 1921, the 165th Infantry Regiment was consolidated with the 69th Infantry of the New York Guard and reorganized as the 69th Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard.
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the regiment again served with distinction. Still designated the 165th Infantry, it served with 27th Division (New York State's National Guard Division at the time) and was federalized October 15, 1940. It was first sent to Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
for training. One week after Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
, it was sent to Inglewood, California
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
to assist in defense of the West Coast. Beginning in January 1942, the regiment made its way to Hawaii via Fort Ord
Fort Ord
Fort Ord was a U.S. Army post on Monterey Bay in California. It was established in 1917 as a maneuver area and field artillery target range and was closed in September 1994. Fort Ord was one of the most attractive locations of any U.S. Army post, because of its proximity to the beach and California...
and San Francisco.
Makin Island
First assigned to island defense in KauaiKauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, they were recalled to Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
in October to begin training for the November 20, 1943 landings on Butaritari Island of Makin Atoll
Battle of Makin
The Battle of Makin was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 20 November to 24 November 1943, on Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.-Japanese invasion and fortification:...
, part of the Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
. There it was supplemented with artillery and armor to become the 165th Regimental Combat Team
Regimental combat team
A regimental combat team was a provisional major infantry unit of the United States Army during the World War II and the Korean War, and of the U.S. Marine Corps to the present day...
. The regiments first and third infantry battalions would land on the western ("Red") Beach, which was expected to be the most heavily defended, and the second battalion would land on the Northern ("Yellow") beach to trap the defenders from behind. The Japanese actually kept their forces near the northern beach, so resistance on Red beach was minimal. Despite this, Col Gardiner Conroy, commander of the regiment, was killed there as he directed tanks to support the infantrymen. The second battalion landings were more difficult due to the enemy presence and the need to wade in from 250 yards out, but by noon the beach was secure. On November 21, the regiment secured Butaritari Village and endured a Banzai charge
Banzai charge
Banzai charge was a term applied during World War II by the Allied forces to human wave attacks mounted by infantry forces of the Imperial Japanese Army...
that night. The regiment continued to sweep across the island and by mid morning on the 23rd, the signal "Makin Taken" was sent.
Saipan
For the invasion of SaipanBattle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...
, the 27th Division served as a floating reserve. The Marines landed on June 15, 1944 but suffered large casualties, so the Fighting 69th was the first army unit ashore when it led the reinforcement landing at 1:17 AM on June 17. By nightfall, despite heavy opposition, the second battalion reached Aslito Airfield, while the first battalion fought for control of the ridge between the airfield and Cape Obian. The airfield was captured the next day, and the regiment began clearing operations toward Nafutan Point. The regiment was then redeployed to clear out "Purple Heart Ridge" on the 23rd, and accomplished that by the 27th despite heavy flanking fire. It next helped clear Hill Able and Hill King in "Death Valley" and advanced to Tanapag Harbor
Tanapag Harbor
Tanapag Harbor is the primary harbor of Saipan, and is located on the western side of the island. It is separated from the Philippine Sea by a barrier reef,located about 3 km off the shore. This reef forms the Saipan Lagoon....
on the west coast of the island by July 4. On July 7 it attacked Makunsha and secured it by July 8. The island was declared secured on July 9, although isolated resistance continued for a year. During the months of July and August, the regiment cleaned out isolated pockets in the mountains and cliffs of Saipan. Beginning in the middle of August, the unit moved to the New Hebrides for rest and rehabilitation. On March 25, 1945, the 27th Division sailed from Espiritu Santo, arriving at Okinawa, April 9, 1945.
Okinawa
At OkinawaBattle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
, landings were made on the west coast in the vicinity of Kadena airfield
Kadena Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Kadena Air Base is the hub of U.S. airpower in the Pacific, and home to the USAF's 18th Wing and a variety of associate units.-Units:The 18th Wing is the host unit at Kadena...
on April 1, 1945, with the Marine 1st and 6th divisions sweeping northeast and the Army 7th division moving south along the eastern coast and the 96th division moving south down the center of the island. The Fighting 69th as part of the 27th Division again served as a floating reserve. The Marines encountered little resistance and the two Army divisions moved rapidly south until they ran headlong into the previously unknown and very strong Manchinato line on April 6. When they were repulsed with heavy casualties, the 27th division was added to their right flank along the west coast to be part of a coordinated assault that began on April 19. The Fighting 69th formed the right side of the division and corps line along the western coast and fought its way south.
The terrain and defense were formidable. Numerous ridges, tunnels and prepared pillboxes were used by the enemy in a tenacious defense. It took the two battalions heavy and continuous fighting until April 26 to secure the Manchinato Airfield. During this engagement, the actions of F Company in overcoming obstacles while extremely outnumbered and cut-off resulted in a Distinguished Unit Citation and it being written up as a staff study on small unit effectiveness. Sgt. (then Pfc.) Alejandro R. Ruiz
Alejandro R. Ruiz
Sergeant Alejandro R. Ruiz was a former United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration, for his actions in the Battle of Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands during World War II.-Early years:Ruiz was born and raised in Loving, New Mexico and...
was awarded the Medal Of Honor for actions while serving with A Company on the ridge.
Following the assault and capture of this key defensive line, the exhausted XXIV Army Corps was relieved on May 1 by the two Marine divisions and the 77th and 7th Infantry Divisions for the next assault southward. The 27th Division with the Fighting Sixty-Ninth then assumed the duties of the two Marine Divisions in securing the relatively calmer north end of the island. The enemy fought bitterly on Onnatake Hill from May 23 until June 2, before losing the strong point. After a mopping-up period, the division left Okinawa, September 7, 1945, moved to Japan and occupied Niigata
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
and Fukushima Prefecture
Fukushima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Fukushima.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Fukushima prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....
s.
In all, the regiment suffered 472 killed in action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
during its service in the Second World War, but always achieved its objectives.
The Cold War
Like most National Guard Units, the regiment was not called up for Korea or Vietnam, but continued the traditional National Guard role of assisting in disasters and disturbances at home. Realignments saw it once again returned to the 42nd Rainbow Division in 1947. In the 1960s, while playing for the New York KnicksNew York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, Cazzie Russell was a member of the regiment and wrote a sports column for the regimental newspaper. In March 1970, the Regiment was called to Federal service for one week to assist during the Federal Mail Strike as part of Operation Graphic Hand. From 1993 to 1996, the regiment was reassigned to the Air Defense Artillery
Air Defense Artillery
The Air Defense Artillery branch descended from the Anti-Aircraft Artillery into a separate branch on 20 June 1968...
branch. After howls of protest from the unit and its veterans, it returned to its traditional Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
roots and its original regimental number in 1996.
Operation Noble Eagle
From its armory at Lexington Avenue and 25th Street in midtown ManhattanManhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, the Fighting 69th was one of the first military units to respond to the attack on the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
on September 11, 2001
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, where it helped to secure Ground Zero
World Trade Center site
The World Trade Center site , also known as "Ground Zero" after the September 11 attacks, sits on in Lower Manhattan in New York City...
. Two members were killed during rescue operations, 1st Lieutenant Gerard Baptiste (FDNY) & Specialist
Specialist (rank)
Specialist is one of the four junior enlisted ranks in the U.S. Army, just above Private First Class and equivalent in pay grade to Corporal. Unlike Corporals, Specialists are not considered junior non-commissioned officers...
Thomas Jurgens (NYS Courts). Following duty at the WTC, 200 soldiers were mobilized to protect the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, West Point, serving for 1 year. Numerous other members were on active duty providing protection to nuclear power plant
Nuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station in which the heat source is one or more nuclear reactors. As in a conventional thermal power station the heat is used to generate steam which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator which produces electricity.Nuclear power plants are usually...
s, airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
s, bridges, tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
s, & train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
s throughout the New York area as part of Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Noble Eagle is the name given to military operations related to homelandsecurity and support to federal, state, and local agencies...
.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
On May 15, 2004, the Regiment was Federalized for combat duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom, training at Fort Hood, TexasFort Hood, Texas
Fort Hood is a United States military post located outside of Killeen, Texas. The post is named after Confederate General John Bell Hood. It islocated halfway between Austin and Waco, about from each, within the U.S. state of Texas....
and Fort Irwin, California before deploying. The Fighting 69th deployed to Iraq as a battalion under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
Geoffrey Slack and Command Sergeant Major George Brett, the first time it had seen overseas combat since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Taji
The Regiment performed combat patrols in TajiTaji, Iraq
Taji, At Taji or Tajidiyah is a town approximately 20 miles north of the city of Baghdad, and is located in the Al-Faris district of the Salah ad Din Governorate. Taji is the location of a large U.S.-controlled military base.-History:...
, Radwiniyah, and Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
. The regiment's tradition of aggressive combat action helped suppress rocket and mortar attacks upon the Green Zone
Green Zone
The Green Zone is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority and remains the center of the international presence in the city...
and Camp Cooke. A local sheik in Taji assumed the 69th's Rainbow Division Insignia was a Special Forces patch because of their aggressiveness, but Lt Colonel Slack explained to him that it "meant they were from New York and eager to avenge the 9/11 attacks".
Baghdad
While in Baghdad, the RegimentRegiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
was responsible for finally securing the infamous "Route Irish" (the airport road) that linked the "Green Zone
Green Zone
The Green Zone is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority and remains the center of the international presence in the city...
" to BIAP airfield, Camp Victory
Camp Victory
Camp Victory is the primary component of the Victory Base Complex which occupies the area surrounding the Baghdad International Airport . The Al-Faw Palace, which served as the headquarters for the Multi-National Corps - Iraq , is located on Camp Victory...
and the surrounding neighborhoods including al-Ameriyah. 19 members of the Regiment were Killed in Action
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
, and over 78 were Wounded in Action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
during "Operation Wolfhound", named after the Irish Wolfhounds on its Regimental crest, before it returned to New York on September 15, 2005.
The March 2006 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade was dedicated to honor the service of The Fighting 69th. On March 13, 2008 the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 991 (H.Res.991) recognizing the exceptional sacrifice of the 69th Infantry Regiment, known as the Fighting 69th, in support of the Global War on Terror. The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), and passed unanimously.
Operation Enduring Freedom
In 2008 approximately 300 soldiers from the 69th deployed to AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
as part of Task Force Phoenix
Task Force Phoenix
Task Force Phoenix, or more properly known as Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix , is an international military formation. It was organized by the United States Central Command in 2003-2004 to train and mentor the newly-created Afghan National Security Forces to establish and maintain law and...
, attached to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, where it assisted in stability operations in the Hindu Kush
Hindu Kush
The Hindu Kush is an mountain range that stretches between central Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. The highest point in the Hindu Kush is Tirich Mir in the Chitral region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.It is the westernmost extension of the Pamir Mountains, the Karakoram Range, and is a...
and in training the Afghan Security Forces. Before returning to New York in the summer of 2009, the Regiment suffered 4 KIA.
Current Operations
Since standing down from federal service and returning to New York, the regiment's activities have included annual Infantry training and qualification at Fort A.P. HillFort A.P. Hill
Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, is an active duty installation of the United States Army, located near the town of Bowling Green, Virginia.Named for Confederate Lieutenant General Ambrose Powell Hill, Fort A.P...
, Urban warfare
Urban warfare
Urban warfare is combat conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. Urban combat is very different from combat in the open at both the operational and tactical level...
training at Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, providing combat experience briefings to cadets at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, and sending companies for joint training in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as part of Operation Orient Shield. The regiment is anticipating a possible deployment to federal service beginning in December 2011 as part of the now regular rotation of mobilizations among National Guard units.
General Robert E. Lee
Describing the assault on Marye's Heights at the Battle of Fredericksburg, opposing General Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
wrote:
General Douglas MacArthur
General Douglas MacArthur gave the following address to members and veterans of the 69th at the Waldorf-Astoria HotelWaldorf-Astoria Hotel
The Waldorf-Astoria is a luxury hotel in New York. It has been housed in two historic landmark buildings in New York City. The first, designed by architect Henry J. Hardenbergh, was on the Fifth Avenue site of the Empire State Building. The present building at 301 Park Avenue in Manhattan is a...
in New York City via short-wave radio from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, on January 24, 1940:
President John F. Kennedy
President John Fitzgerald Kennedy opened his address to Irish ParliamentDáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
on June 28, 1963 with a tribute to the gallantry of the Fighting 69th:
The flag presented by Kennedy is displayed in Leinster House
Leinster House
Leinster House is the name of the building housing the Oireachtas, the national parliament of Ireland.Leinster House was originally the ducal palace of the Dukes of Leinster. Since 1922, it is a complex of buildings, of which the former ducal palace is the core, which house Oireachtas Éireann, its...
, Dublin.
Ireland memorial
Michael BloombergMichael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
, the Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
, unveiled Ireland's national monument to the Fighting 69th on August 22, 2006 at Ballymote, County Sligo, the birth place of former Brigadier General Michael Corcoran
Michael Corcoran
Michael Corcoran was an Irish American general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a close confidant of President Abraham Lincoln. As its colonel, he led the 69th New York regiment to Washington, D.C. and was one of the first to serve in the defense of Washington by building Fort...
. The monument is a bronze column inscribed with scenes of Corcoran's life. Beside the gray, stone base is a small chamber set flush with the ground that contains a piece of steel from the World Trade Center donated by the parents of firefighter Michael Lynch, who perished in the attack.
In his remarks that day, Bloomberg said:
In a follow up to this visit, Mayor Bloomberg invited members of the 58th Reserve Infantry Battalion of the Irish Defence Forces to parade in New York City on St. Patrick's Day. The Battalion visited in 2010 and will return for the 2011 parade.
Other memorials and gravesites
Memorials to the Fighting 69th may be found at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and other Civil War battlefields. Two memorials to the Regiment and its dead as well as the graves of Colonel's Mathew Murray, Michael CorcoranMichael Corcoran
Michael Corcoran was an Irish American general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and a close confidant of President Abraham Lincoln. As its colonel, he led the 69th New York regiment to Washington, D.C. and was one of the first to serve in the defense of Washington by building Fort...
, Patrick Kelly, and Richard Byrnes may be found in Calvary Cemetery
Calvary Cemetery, Queens
The Roman Catholic Calvary Cemetery in Queens has the largest number of interments of any cemetery in the United States.The offices of Calvary Cemetery are located at 49-02 Laurel Hill Blvd. in Woodside in the New York City borough of Queens, New York. The cemetery is managed by the Trustees of...
in Woodside Queens, NY. A statue of Thomas Francis Meagher
Thomas Francis Meagher
-Young Ireland:Meagher returned to Ireland in 1843, with undecided plans for a career in the Austrian army, a tradition among a number of Irish families. In 1844 he traveled to Dublin with the intention of studying for the bar. He became involved in the Repeal Association, which worked for repeal...
may be found in Helena, Montana
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
, where he had later served as Governor.
Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer
Alfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
and other men of the Sixty Ninth are interred at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in France. Father Duffy is memorialized in a statue at the north end of Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
, which is technically "Duffy Square
Duffy Square
Duffy Square is the northern triangle of Times Square in Manhattan, New York City. It is located between 45th and 47th Streets, Broadway and Seventh Avenue and is well known for the TKTS reduced-price theater tickets booth located there....
". World War II's Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
was named for Sgt. Joyce Kilmer
Joyce Kilmer
Alfred Joyce Kilmer was an American journalist, poet, literary critic, lecturer, and editor. Though a prolific poet whose works celebrated the common beauty of the natural world as well as his religious faith, Kilmer is remembered most for a short poem entitled "Trees" , which was published in...
. Colonel William Donovan
William Joseph Donovan
William Joseph Donovan was a United States soldier, lawyer and intelligence officer, best remembered as the wartime head of the Office of Strategic Services...
is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
Medal of Honor citations
Seven members of the 69th Regiment have been 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...
. Not only is this a high number for a National Guard regiment, all survived the actions for which they were awarded.
Peter Rafferty
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 69th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Malvern HillMalvern Hill
Malvern Hill stands on the north bank of the James River in Henrico County, Virginia, USA, about eighteen miles southeast of Richmond. On 1 July 1862, it was the scene of the Battle of Malvern Hill, one of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War....
, Va., July 1, 1862. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: August 2, 1897.
Citation: Having been wounded and directed to the rear, declined to go, but continued in action, receiving several additional wounds, which resulted in his capture by the enemy and his total disability for military service.
Timothy Donoghue
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 69th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Fredericksburg, Va.Fredericksburg, Virginia
Fredericksburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located south of Washington, D.C., and north of Richmond. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,286...
, 13 December 1862. Entered service at:------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: January 17, 1894.
Citation: Voluntarily carried a wounded officer off the field from between the lines; while doing this he was himself wounded.
Joseph Keele
Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 182d New York Infantry. Place and date: At North Anna River, Va., May 23, 1864. Entered service at: Staten Island, N.Y. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: October 25, 1867. Citation: Voluntarily and at the risk of his life carried orders to the brigade commander, which resulted in saving the works his regiment was defending.Michael A. Donaldson
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 165th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: At Sommerance-Landres-et St. Georges Road, France, October 14, 1918. Entered service at: Haverstraw, N.Y. Born: 1884, Haverstraw, N.Y. G.O. No.: 9, W.D., 1923.Citation: The advance of his regiment having been checked by intense machinegun fire of the enemy, who were entrenched on the crest of a hill before Landres-et St. Georges, his company retired to a sunken road to reorganize their position, leaving several of their number wounded near the enemy lines. Of his own volition, in broad daylight and under direct observation of the enemy and with utter disregard for his own safety, he advanced to the crest of the hill, rescued one of his wounded comrades, and returned under withering fire to his own lines, repeating his splendidly heroic act until he had brought in all the men, 6 in number.
William Joseph Donovan
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, October 14–15, 1918. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Born: January 1, 1883, Buffalo, N.Y. G.O., No.: 56, W.D., 1922.Citation: Lt. Col. Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks. When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.
Richard W. O'Neill
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 165th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: On the Ourcq River, France, July 30, 1918. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: New York, N.Y. G.O. No.: 30, W.D., 1921.Citation: In advance of an assaulting line, he attacked a detachment of about 25 of the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand encounter he sustained pistol wounds, but heroically continued in the advance, during which he received additional wounds: but, with great physical effort, he remained in active command of his detachment. Being again wounded, he was forced by weakness and loss of blood to be evacuated, but insisted upon being taken first to the battalion commander in order to transmit to him valuable information relative to enemy positions and the disposition of our men.
Alejandro R. Renteria Ruiz
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division. Place and date: Okinawa, Ryukyu IslandsRyukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
, April 28, 1945. Entered service at: Carlsbad, N. Mex. Birth: Loving, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 60, June 26, 1946.
Citation: When his unit was stopped by a skillfully camouflaged enemy pillbox, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. His squad, suddenly brought under a hail of machinegun fire and a vicious grenade attack, was pinned down. Jumping to his feet, Pfc. Ruiz seized an automatic rifle and lunged through the flying grenades and rifle and automatic fire for the top of the emplacement. When an enemy soldier charged him, his rifle jammed. Undaunted, Pfc. Ruiz whirled on his assailant and clubbed him down. Then he ran back through bullets and grenades, seized more ammunition and another automatic rifle, and again made for the pillbox. Enemy fire now was concentrated on him, but he charged on, miraculously reaching the position, and in plain view he climbed to the top. Leaping from 1 opening to another, he sent burst after burst into the pillbox, killing 12 of the enemy and completely destroying the position. Pfc. Ruiz's heroic conduct, in the face of overwhelming odds, saved the lives of many comrades and eliminated an obstacle that long would have checked his unit's advance.
In popular culture
Films- 1940 – The World War I exploits of the regiment are the subject of the Warner Brothers film The Fighting 69th. An advisor to the film was former member Captain John T. ProutJohn T. ProutJohn T. Prout was an Irish American soldier. He held one of the senior commands in the Irish Army during the Irish Civil War...
who later had also been a Major General in the Irish ArmyIrish ArmyThe Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
. The film was shown at drills to all persons joining the regiment through the 1970s. - 1993 – The regiment is shown receiving general absolutionAbsolutionAbsolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This concept is found in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Anglican churches, and most Lutheran churches....
from Rev. William CorbyWilliam CorbyRev. William Corby, CSC was a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Corby is perhaps best known for his giving general absolution to the Irish Brigade on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, which was dramatized in the film Gettysburg. Fr. Corby also served twice as President of the...
before going into battle at Gettysburg in the film Gettysburg. - 2003 – The regiment's attack on Marye's Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg is depicted in the film Gods and GeneralsGods and Generals (film)Gods and Generals is a 2003 American film based on the novel Gods and Generals by Jeffrey Shaara. It depicts events that take place prior to those shown in the 1993 film Gettysburg, which was based on The Killer Angels, a novel by Shaara's father, Michael...
. They can be seen wearing the regiments traditional green boxwood sprigs in their kepis during the attack. - 2006 - Fictional veterans of the Fighting 69th are portrayed in season three of HBO's Deadwood series, as agents of George Hearst.
- 2007 – The military units in the film remake I Am LegendI Am Legend (film)I Am Legend is a 2007 post-apocalyptic science fiction film directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Will Smith. It is the third feature film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel of the same name, following 1964's The Last Man on Earth and 1971's The Omega Man. Smith plays virologist Robert...
are members of the Fighting 69th. - 2008 – The 2008 film CloverfieldCloverfieldCloverfield is a 2008 American disaster-monster film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J. J. Abrams and written by Drew Goddard.The film follows six young New Yorkers attending a going-away party on the night that a gigantic monster attacks the city...
depicts the 69th Infantry Regiment and other elements of the regular and reserve military doing battle with a giant monster in the streets of New York City.
Other
- The official regimental cocktailCocktailA cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two or more ingredients—at least one of the ingredients must be a spirit.Cocktails were originally a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. The word has come to mean almost any mixed drink that contains alcohol...
, "The Fighting 69th", is made of three parts champagne and one part Irish whiskey, and is served at unit dinners and after the St. Patrick's Day Parade. According to one legend, the Civil War regimental commander, Thomas Francis MeagherThomas Francis Meagher-Young Ireland:Meagher returned to Ireland in 1843, with undecided plans for a career in the Austrian army, a tradition among a number of Irish families. In 1844 he traveled to Dublin with the intention of studying for the bar. He became involved in the Repeal Association, which worked for repeal...
, liked to drink his whiskey with Vichy water. But one day when his aide was unable to find Vichy water, he returned with champagne. Meagher liked the new mixture, and the drink stuck. Others feel that it is more likely the mixture simply developed as necessity during the unit's service in the Champagne region of France during World War I, as cocktails without bitters are mostly a 20th Century invention. - One of the first books on mixing drinks, JerryThomas's 1862 "The Bon Vivant's Companion", describes a "69th Regiment Punch" as consisting of 1 oz of Irish Whiskey, 1 oz of Scotch Whisky, a teaspoon of sugar, and 4 oz of hot water. Note that a punch of that time was a different type of drink than today.
- The Fighting 69th is a popular subject with painters of Civil War subjects. Paintings and prints depicting it have been made by Don TroianiDon TroianiDon Troiani is an American painter whose work focuses on his native country's military heritage, mostly from the American Civil War and American Revolution. His highly realist works are most well known in the form of marketed mass produced printed reproductions, illustrated books, and book...
, Dale Gallon, Mort KunstlerMort KünstlerMort Künstler is a historical artist in the United States of America whose work now focuses mainly on the American Civil War. Before he turned to the Civil War in the early 1980s, he had built a body of work that dealt with America's national story: from portraits of prehistoric American life to...
, Donna Neary and many other artists. - The Boston-based Celtic PunkCeltic punkCeltic punk is punk rock mixed with traditional Celtic music. The genre was founded in the 1980s by The Pogues, a band of punk musicians in London who celebrated their Irish heritage. Celtic punk bands often play covers of traditional Irish folk and political songs, as well as original compositions...
band, Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
have a song on their album "The Gang's all Here" called the Fighting 69th, which is a tribute to the regiment. - The Fighting 69th is featured in the book by Joseph Bruchac, "March toward the Thunder".
69th Regiment Armory
The main armory69th Regiment Armory
The 69th Regiment Armory located at 68 Lexington Avenue between East 25th and 26th Streets in Manhattan, New York City is a historical building which began construction in 1904 and was completed in 1906. The building is still used to house the U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment, as well as for the...
on Lexington Avenue at 25th Street has the names of its Civil War Battles engraved on its front. A museum depicting history of the regiment is there and murals of the unit's past service adorn the mess rooms. Prior to the unit's realignment to Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, Companies B & C were based at the Flushing Armory
Flushing Armory
The Flushing Armory is a historic National Guard armory building located in the Flushing section of the New York City borough of Queens. It is a brick and stone castle-like structure built in 1905–1906, designed to be reminiscent of medieval military structures in Europe. It was designed by State...
on Northern Blvd. in Flushing
Flushing, Queens
Flushing, founded in 1645, is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, east of Manhattan.Flushing was one of the first Dutch settlements on Long Island. Today, it is one of the largest and most diverse neighborhoods in New York City...
.
On April 12, 1983, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the 69th Regiment Armory an official New York City landmark. The armory was also the 1913 scene of one of the first exhibits of Modern Art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
in the US, now simply referred to as the Armory Show
Armory Show
Many exhibitions have been held in the vast spaces of U.S. National Guard armories, but the Armory Show refers to the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art that was organized by the Association of American Painters and Sculptors...
. It was even depicted on a US postage stamp.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
the armory was used as an information and counseling center for the families of the victims of the attacks.
External links
Current unit- The Fighting 69th Regiment Homepage
- 27th Brigade Combat Team Home Page
- 42nd Infantry homepage
- Rainbow Division Veterans Memorial Foundation
- Friends of the Fighting 69th
- Complete text and audio of John F. Kennedy's Address to the Irish Parliament from AmericanRhetoric.com
- New York Times Article on the Commanders Room
Historical reenactors and Civil War history
- SixtyNinth.Net
- Fighting 69th Historical Association
- More of the Fighting 69th
- New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center - Civil War - 69th Infantry Regiment History, photographs, table of battles and casualties, monument at Gettysburg, historical sketch, and battle flag for the 69th New York Infantry Regiment.
- T. Moore of the 69th N.Y.