1st Battalion - 16th Infantry Regiment
"Iron Rangers"
The 16th Infantry, originally formed in 1869, carries twelve battles from the Civil War through their lineage with the 11th Infantry. Following a distinguished record of frontier service, the Regiment fought in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and took part in the Mexican expedition. These campaigns resulted in an additional seven campaign streamers being added to the Regimental standard.
In 1917, the 16th Infantry Regiment joined the 1st Division as the first American troops to arrive in France during World War I. During the war they took part in seven campaigns and were awarded two French Croix De Guerres with Palm, the French Medaille Militaire, and the Fourragere.
During World War II, the Regiment again spearheaded the Divisions invasion of North Africa, Sicily and later campaigns in Normandy, the Rhineland and Central Europe. Eight campaign streamers were added to the colors. Their decorations included five Presidential Unit Citations, two French Croix De Guerres, the French Medaille Militaire, French Fourragere, and Belgian Fourragere.
The growing conflict in Vietnam lead to the 16th Infantry's deployment once again with the Big Red One to a combat theater. In five years of conflict, the Regiment participated in eleven campaigns and was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and the Vietnamese Civil Action Honor Medal. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Regiment participated in training within the United States and REFORGER exercises in Germany. Iraqi's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 lead once again to the 16th Infantry's deployment in war. This short lived conflict added two more campaign streamers to the regiment.
