16^th Infantry Regiment

The 16th Infantry Regiment entered World War II as a Regular Army regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. After prewar training moves from Fort Jay through Fort Benning, Fort Devens, Camp Blanding, and Indiantown Gap, it sailed in August 1942 and joined the first American ground offensive against Axis-held territory. On November 8, 1942, Combat Team 16 landed east of Oran near Arzew, advanced through the Z Beach area, fought at La Macta, and helped the division enter Oran two days later. In Tunisia the regiment served both with the 1st Division and in detached battalion actions, reinforcing Combat Command B, 1st Armored Division, during the Kasserine fighting and later fighting through Gafsa, Djebel el Mcheltat, Hill 400, Hill 531, and Hill 523.

On July 10, 1943, the 16th Infantry assaulted Gela, Sicily, where the 1st Division beachhead absorbed severe Axis counterattacks. The regiment then fought inland with the division and entered Troina after the German withdrawal in early August. After moving to England, the regiment assaulted Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Its companies landed between the St. Laurent and Colleville exits, suffered heavy losses and disorganization, but opened routes inland; elements of the 2nd Battalion climbed the bluffs and the 3rd Battalion occupied Le Grand Hameau. By June 10 the regiment had helped reach the St. Lo-Bayeux highway.

The regiment crossed Belgium and entered Germany in September 1944. Around Aachen it held near Eilendorf, fought at the West Wall, and in November captured Hamich and Hill 232 before seizing Luchem. During the Ardennes fighting it helped form the northern shoulder near Weismes. In 1945 the 16th Infantry crossed the Roer at Kreuzau, fought through Bonn, assaulted across the Rhine, expanded the Weser bridgehead, and ended the war near Kynsperk during the drive on Karlsbad.