1:104th Infantry

• Colonial Origins: The 1st Battalion, 104th Infantry traces its lineage to 1639, making it one of the oldest military units in the U.S., originating as part of the Massachusetts colonial militia. • Revolutionary War Service: The unit's predecessors fought in many key battles of the American Revolution, including the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Saratoga. • Civil War Valor: As the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the regiment fought in major Civil War battles like Antietam, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. • World War I Distinction: The 104th Infantry Regiment, as part of the 26th "Yankee" Division, became the first U.S. unit to receive the French Croix de Guerre for gallantry in April 1918 at Apremont, France. • World War II Service: The unit participated in the Normandy invasion, the liberation of Western Europe, and the Battle of the Bulge as part of the 26th Infantry Division. • Cold War and Modernization: After WWII, the 1-104th Infantry became part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, serving as a key reserve force during the Cold War. • Humanitarian Missions: The battalion has often been mobilized for disaster relief and humanitarian missions, including responses to hurricanes and floods in the Northeast U.S. • Global War on Terror: Elements of the 1-104th Infantry have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, supporting both combat and training missions. • Historic Armory: The regiment’s headquarters has been based at the Springfield Armory, a site rich in American military history. • Honors and Insignia: The 104th Infantry's regimental crest features a blue shield and a rampant lion, symbolizing both its colonial origins and its French Croix de Guerre honor.