61st infantry regiment

• Origins in World War I: The 61st Infantry Regiment was constituted on 15 May 1917 as part of the National Army during World War I, and was assigned to the 5th Division. • First Combat Experience: The regiment saw its first major action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in 1918, a pivotal campaign that contributed to the end of World War I. • Reactivated for World War II: After being deactivated post-World War I, the 61st Infantry Regiment was reactivated in 1942 and assigned to the 8th Infantry Division. • D-Day Plus 30: The regiment landed in Normandy, France on 4 July 1944, about a month after D-Day, and participated in the drive across France. • Battle of the Hurtgen Forest: The 61st Infantry Regiment fought in the infamous Hurtgen Forest, one of the bloodiest battles on the Western Front during WWII. • Liberation of French Towns: The regiment played a key role in liberating several towns in France, including Rennes and Brest, earning recognition from French authorities. • Cold War Assignments: After WWII, the regiment was periodically inactivated and reactivated, serving with various divisions during the Cold War era. • Training Mission: In recent years, elements of the 61st Infantry Regiment have been assigned as a training unit at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, preparing new soldiers for service. • Motto: The regiment’s motto is “Forged for War,” reflecting its long history of activation during times of conflict. • Decorations and Honors: The 61st Infantry Regiment has earned numerous decorations, including campaign streamers for World War I, World War II, and the War on Terrorism.