349^th Infantry Regiment

The 349th Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, on July 15, 1942, and trained with the 88th Infantry Division before leaving Hampton Roads on December 16, 1943. It arrived in North Africa on December 25 and landed in Italy on February 6, 1944, entering the Cassino-Garigliano front after the division relieved British troops near Minturno.

During the May 1944 offensive, the 349th supported the 351st Infantry's main effort against Santa Maria Infante by taking Monte Bracchi. As the German line loosened, the regiment occupied Monte Civita, then raced toward Fondi. Its 3rd Battalion avoided a costly frontal assault by moving through the northeastern hills, seized the town on May 20, and continued to Monte Passignano. On May 26 the 349th advanced from Rocca Secca across the Amaseno Valley with the 350th; after the division was relieved, the regiment was detached to the Anzio beachhead and joined the forces breaking out toward Rome.

In July the 349th attacked on the division right during the Volterra operation, overran Roncalla, and later put its 3rd Battalion into Palaia as the division reached the last heights above the Arno. After the Arno crossing and September return to the line, the regiment moved up the Santerno valley toward Imola, captured Monte Pratolungo, took Belvedere on October 1, and took Sassoleone on October 3. In later ridge fighting it joined the struggle for Monte delle Tombe and, on October 20, pushed the Monte Grande salient by taking Monte Cerrere and Monte Grande. The regiment served through the winter line-holding period and the April 1945 Po Valley pursuit, crossing the Po with the division and advancing through Verona, Vicenza, and the Brenta as German forces in Italy surrendered.