116th Infantry

• Origins in Colonial America: The 116th Infantry traces its lineage back to 1741 as part of the Virginia militia, making it one of the oldest units in the U.S. Army. • Service in the American Revolution: Elements of the regiment fought in the American Revolutionary War, including at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. • “The Stonewall Brigade” Connection: During the Civil War, the regiment was part of the famed “Stonewall Brigade” under Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. • World War I Valor: The 116th Infantry served in the 29th Division and fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, one of the war’s largest battles. • D-Day Heroism: On June 6, 1944, the 116th Infantry Regiment was among the first wave at Omaha Beach on D-Day, suffering heavy casualties but securing the beachhead. • Bedford, Virginia’s Sacrifice: Company A of the 116th, from Bedford, VA, suffered the highest proportional losses of any D-Day community, inspiring the National D-Day Memorial’s location. • “The Bloody 116th” Nickname: The regiment earned this moniker for its tenacity and high casualty rates in several major battles, especially during World War II. • Cold War and Beyond: The 116th continued as a National Guard unit, deploying for training and peacekeeping missions, including to Bosnia and Kosovo in the late 20th century. • Modern Deployments: Since 9/11, the 116th Infantry has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its tradition of answering the nation’s call. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The regiment’s coat of arms features a blue shield for infantry, a red cross for service in the Civil War, and a fleur-de-lis for World War I service in France.