About this Unit
Company K, 318th Infantry Regiment, was a unit of the 80th Division ("Blue Ridge Division") in the United States Army during World War I and World War II. Organized in 1917, the regiment fought in major campaigns on the Western Front, including the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, where Company K saw intense combat. Re-activated for World War II, the 318th landed in Normandy in July 1944, pushing through France and participating in the Battle of the Bulge. Company K earned distinction for its resilience and effectiveness in both wars, contributing significantly to the regiment's reputation for valor and determination.
Historical Facts
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World War I Origins: Company K was part of the 318th Infantry Regiment, which was organized in 1917 as part of the 80th Division, primarily composed of draftees from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Meuse-Argonne Offensive: The 318th Infantry Regiment, including Company K, played a significant role in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest and bloodiest operation of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I.
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Breaking the Hindenburg Line: Company K and the 318th were involved in breaking through the formidable German Hindenburg Line, contributing to the final Allied victory in 1918.
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Decorations and Honors: Members of Company K and the 318th Regiment received multiple commendations for bravery, including Distinguished Service Crosses and French Croix de Guerre.
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Harsh Conditions: Soldiers faced severe hardships during their advance through the Argonne Forest, including heavy machine-gun fire, gas attacks, and relentless artillery barrages.
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Post-War Muster Out: After the Armistice, Company K returned to the United States and was demobilized at Camp Lee, Virginia, in June 1919.
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World War II Service: The 318th Infantry Regiment, reactivated for World War II, participated in major campaigns in Europe, though Company K’s specific WWII actions are less documented.
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Veterans’ Legacy: After the wars, many Company K veterans became active in local American Legion posts and contributed to community life across Virginia and surrounding states.
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Personal Accounts: Diaries and letters from Company K soldiers provide vivid firsthand accounts of trench warfare, camaraderie, and the trauma of combat during World War I.
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Commemoration: The service and sacrifice of Company K and the 318th Infantry Regiment are remembered at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France and through regimental reunions and memorials in the U.S.