4:16th Inf

• Origins in World War I: The 4th Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment (4/16th Inf) traces its lineage to the 16th Infantry Regiment, which was first organized in 1861, but the battalion itself was constituted during World War I. • Normandy D-Day Landing: The 16th Infantry Regiment, including elements that would become 4/16th, was among the first units to land on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. • Vietnam War Service: The 4th Battalion, 16th Infantry was reactivated for service during the Vietnam War and participated in numerous major operations, including Operation Junction City and the Tet Offensive. • "Rangers Lead the Way": The 16th Infantry earned this motto after their valiant efforts on Omaha Beach, and the 4/16th continues to honor this legacy. • Decorated Unit: The battalion has received multiple Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Awards, and foreign decorations such as the French Croix de Guerre for its actions in World War II and Vietnam. • Cold War Deployments: During the Cold War, 4/16th Infantry was stationed in Germany as part of the U.S. Army’s forward presence, ready to respond to any Warsaw Pact aggression. • Modern Era Reactivations: The battalion has been inactivated and reactivated several times, most recently as part of the 1st Infantry Division’s restructuring in the 21st century. • Iraq and Afghanistan Deployments: In the 2000s, elements of the 4/16th Infantry deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, conducting counterinsurgency operations and stability missions. • Nickname - "Iron Rangers": The battalion is known as the "Iron Rangers," reflecting both its connection to the 16th Infantry's heritage and its tough, resilient spirit. • Legacy of Valor: Soldiers from the 4/16th Infantry have received numerous individual awards for bravery, including Silver Stars and Bronze Stars, across multiple conflicts.