1:161st Infantry

• Historic Roots: The 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment (“1-161 IN”) traces its lineage back to 1886, originating as the 1st Infantry Regiment of the Washington National Guard. • World War I Service: In World War I, the regiment was mustered into federal service and became part of the 41st Infantry Division, deploying to France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. • Famed “Fighting First”: The regiment earned the nickname “Fighting First” for its tenacity and effectiveness in both world wars. • World War II Pacific Campaigns: During World War II, the 1-161st Infantry fought in some of the toughest Pacific campaigns, including Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Luzon in the Philippines. • Medal of Honor Recipients: Two soldiers from the 161st Infantry received the Medal of Honor during World War II: PFC William J. Grabiarz and 2LT Harold G. Kiner. • Cold War Reorganization: After World War II, the regiment was reorganized multiple times, ultimately becoming the 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, as part of the Washington Army National Guard. • Bosnia and Kosovo Deployments: In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the battalion contributed soldiers to peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Kosovo as part of NATO missions. • Iraq War Service: 1-161 IN was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005, serving in the Baghdad area and earning the Valorous Unit Award for actions during this deployment. • Community and State Missions: The battalion regularly assists in disaster response and security missions within Washington State, including wildfire suppression and COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts. • Motto: The 1-161st Infantry’s motto, “First in War — First in Peace,” reflects its long-standing tradition of service both in combat and at home.