1:155th Infantry

• Origins in the Civil War: The 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry traces its lineage back to the Mississippi Militia units that fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, notably as part of the “Mississippi Rifles.” • Spanish-American War Service: Elements of the 155th Infantry served in the Spanish-American War, being mustered into federal service in 1898. • World War I: The regiment was federalized and served as part of the 39th Division, deploying to France where it provided replacements for front-line units. • World War II Combat: The 155th Infantry fought in the Pacific Theater, including at New Guinea and the Philippines, as part of the 31st "Dixie" Division. • Hurricane Katrina Response: The 1/155th Infantry was one of the first Mississippi National Guard units to respond to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The battalion deployed to Iraq in 2005, conducting convoy security, base defense, and counterinsurgency missions, earning praise for their professionalism. • First Mississippi National Guard Unit in Combat Since WWII: In 2005, 1/155th Infantry became the first Mississippi National Guard battalion to see combat since World War II. • Nickname "Mississippi Rifles": The battalion and its predecessors have long been known as the “Mississippi Rifles,” a name dating back to their famed marksmanship in the Mexican-American War. • Decorations and Honors: The battalion and its predecessor units have received multiple honors, including campaign streamers from WWI, WWII, and the War on Terror. • Community Connection: The unit is headquartered in McComb, Mississippi, and draws its soldiers from across the state, maintaining a strong tradition of community service and state pride.