About this Unit
The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Rangers," was originally constituted in 1861 and has served in major conflicts including the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism. The battalion notably participated in the D-Day landings at Normandy and fought through France and Germany during World War II. During the Vietnam War, it earned multiple unit citations for its actions in some of the conflict’s fiercest battles. More recently, the battalion deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its legacy of frontline service as part of the 1st Infantry Division.
Historical Facts
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Origins in the Civil War: The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment traces its lineage back to May 1861, when the 11th U.S. Infantry Regiment was constituted to serve in the American Civil War.
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Iron Brigade in the Indian Wars: After the Civil War, the regiment was assigned to the western frontier, participating in campaigns against various Native American tribes during the Indian Wars.
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World War I Service: The 16th Infantry Regiment was part of the 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") and was among the first American units to see combat in France, fighting at Cantigny, Soissons, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
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First Ashore on D-Day: On June 6, 1944, the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry landed on Omaha Beach with the first assault wave, earning the Presidential Unit Citation for their heroic actions.
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Vietnam War Operations: The battalion served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1970, seeing heavy action in major operations like Operation Cedar Falls and Operation Junction City.
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"Rangers Lead the Way" Rivalry: During World War II, the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry landed alongside Army Rangers at Omaha Beach, leading to a friendly rivalry over who truly led the way ashore.
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Nickname "Rangers": The battalion is nicknamed "Rangers," a nod to their aggressive combat style and storied history, though they are not part of the official Army Ranger Regiment.
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Heroic Medal of Honor Actions: Sergeant Walter Ehlers of the 2nd Battalion was awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry in Normandy in June 1944.
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Operations in Iraq: Deployed during the Iraq War as part of the "Surge" in 2007, the battalion was the subject of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Good Soldiers by David Finkel, highlighting their experiences in Baghdad.
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Modern Deployments: In recent years, the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry has continued to deploy in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, upholding its motto "Semper Paratus" ("Always Prepared").
