PRE-MEXICAN CONFLICTS WITH INDIANS
In Alabama in 1836 local militia was primarily used to protect peoples' homes and lives, especially against hostile Native American Indians. At the time the Seminoles were at war with the newly arriving settlers. Several Brigades of state troops were called out to protect the state and volunteer companies went to Florida. Among the latter was the gallant company known as the "Montgomery True Blues." John Clisby, who was a member of the "True Blues," relates that this company, ninety-four strong, left Montgomery under the command of Captain William Chisolm, in February, 1836 to join other volunteer companies from Alabama in forming a regiment which chose Captain Chisolm as its Colonel. Thereafter, these volunteers sailed for Tampa Bay and camped near a log Fort then linown as Fort Foster, but subsequently called Fort Alabama.
The Seminoles made several unsuccessful attempts to capture Fort Foster. When ordered to abandon the outpost and report to Fort Brooke, the Alabama troops had a savage battle with the Native American Indians at Simmons Hammock. The units returned home and mustered out in May 1836. Certain of the companies, such as the "True Blues" and the "Selma Guards," continued as independent militia companies.
MEXICAN WAR
CIVIL WAR
Fight they did for nearly four years. In the first major battle of the war, the Battle of Manassas, the Fourth Alabama established an enviable reputation, which has lasted to this day. Douglas Southall Freeman has described that conflict as follows:
"...those in the ravine and confusion to the rear were the survivors of Evan's, Bee's and Bartow's commands; all of them shattered except for the regiment that stood unofficered and waiting, a short distance beyond the crest of the hill. That was the Fourth Alabama. The waiting Brigade in a grim gray line to the left, almost opposite the head of the ravine was Jackson's Virginians.
Hastily but firmly Johnston, Beauegard and their staffs made their way among the scattered fugitives. At first, as rapidly as the officers formed one line and spurred on to rebuild another, the men would scatter. Presently, Johnson and Beaurgard reached the Fourth Alabama. Johnson found it's flag bearer, put the boy by his side, called the Soldiers and rode forward. With alacrity and ready cheers, the men followed.
Johnson placed them in line with Jackson; Beauregard designated one of Bee's staff officers to act as their colonel; around these steady Soldiers and the Virginians on their left, others quickly gathered. Soon the line was restored in the face of Federals who were moving up the slope in front and on the right for another assault."
Thus the Fourth Alabama had helped save the day. It's casualties amounted to 234 killed and wounded, but the regiment had fought it's battle without withdrawing a step, except under orders.
Thereafter, with the exception of the Seven Days Campaign, when the regiment was part of the command of General "Stonewall" Jackson, it served in Longstreet's Corp. General Longstreet, when ordering his corps to attack in the battles of Second Manassas, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga, always choose Hood's division, of which the Fourth Alabama was a part, to lead the attack. As the Battle of Getrysburg was commencing, General Lee ordered Longstreet to attack. Longstreet's account of the Gettysburg campaign contains the following statement; "Fearing that my force was too weak to venture to make an attack I delayed until General Law's brigade could joined its division. As soon after his arrival as we could make preparations the movement was begun." The Fourth Alabama and four other Alabama regiments including the Fifteenth, the Forty-Fourth, the Forty-Seventh, and Forty-Eighth, compose Law's Brigade. The value of these troops to Longstreet's is easily understood when one realized that they comprised less than 10% of his total command.
Major General John N. Gould, adjutant to the Tenth Maine Regiment, United States Army, part of the Fourth Alabama's opposition at Sharpsburg, has written: "Our comrades went down one afteranother with a most disheartening frequency, pierced with bullets from men who were half concealed or who dodged quickly back to safe cover the moment they fired. On all other fields from the beginning to the end of our long service we never had to face their equals. They were all good marksmen, and the constant call of their officers to aim low appeared to us entirely unnecessary." R.T. Cole's, adjutant of the regiment, answered any question concerning the welfare of the regimental colors when he stated that, "It was reported in the Union Camp after the battle "Sharpsburg" that our brigade was completely annihilated and the colors of the 4th Alabama captured. This as to the capture of the Fourth Alabama flag was a gross error. Our flag was never captured, nor even surrendered at Appomattox."
On defense or attack the Fourth Alabama participated in thirty-eight skirmishes, including seventeen major campaigns. In each engagement they performed gallantly. At Appomattox approximately 299 officers and men surrendered their arms.
This unit has a history which dates back to 1846 when the First Alabama Volunteers marched 900 men through Texas and Mexico to the village of Jalapa near Mexico City. In 1846, as a consequence of the Texas War for Independence and border raids by Mexican troops, the United States went to war with Mexico. As in the Seminole War, Alabama units volunteered their services. Among them was the First Alabama Volunteers, commanded by Colonel John R. Coffee, which was mustered into Federal service for twelve months beginning June, 1846. The regiment took 900 men to Texas and thence to Mexico, where it served under General Shield, entering Vera Cruz after naval bombardment and marching towards Mexico City as far as the village of Jalapa. While in service the regiment lost one man in a skirmish, 150 men to disease and 200 by discharge. Other Alabama units, which participated in the Mexican War, were Lieutenant Colonel John J. Seibel's battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Pell Raiford's battalion and several independent companies, among which was Captain P. Rush Elmore's "Relief Guards" from Montgomery. In addinon, Alabamians officered in part the Thirteenth United States Infantry. Captain Egbert J. Jones, at this time from Athens, Alabama, was in command of a company from Limestone County. When the Fourth Alabama was formed in 1861, Captain Jones was elected its first Colonel. When these various units were mustered out of service, several of them continued by carrying on as independent militia companies. The unit returned to Alabama and in 1861 was reorganized as the "Fourth Alabama".
When the Civil War began, the regiment was organized at Dalton, Georgia, May 2, 1861, and proceeded at once to Virginia. Mustered into service for twelve months at Lynchburg, May 7, it proceeded to Harper's Ferry. The war would last longer than 12 months. With the secession of the Southern states at the outbreak of the American Civil War the history of the Fourth, as a separate unit, actually began. The 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment was organized at Dalton Georgia, May 4 1861 consisting of approximately 1,400 officers and men. Five days later the regiment was mustered into the Confederate States Army at Lynchburg, Virginia and ordered to Harper's Ferry; the first Alabama unit to arrive in the state. Enroute the regiment received great ovations from the citizens along the way. The one question always asked was "Where are you from?" The gallant reply was, "Alabama's sons come to fight for Virginia's daughters."
On the morning of July 21, 1861, the Union Army under the command of Brigadier General Irvin McDowell, in an effort to cripple the newly assembled Confederate Army at Manassas, Virginia, fired the opening shots of the first major battle of the Civil War. Both armies were largely made up of volunteer militia with regiments on both sides wearing blue and gray uniforms. The brunt of the Union attack fell on the Confederate left flank. Confederate Brigadier General Bernard Bee, having recently resigned from the U. S. Army and still wearing his blue uniforms, realized that the Army's left flank was seriously exposed. General Bee ordered the Fourth Alabama to advance rapidly in order to plug the gap in the Confederate line. For over an hour, the Fourth Alabama stalled the Union advance and gave the Confederate forces more time to regroup. The regiment played a prominent part in the fighting day and contributed to the Confederate victory.
The Battle of First Manassas proved to both sides that the Civil War would be a bitterly contested struggle. The Fourth Alabama went on to fight in every major battle in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War and never surrended its colors. The 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Dalton, Georgia, on 2 May 1861. The men were recruited in Conecuh, Dallas, Jackson, Lauderdale, Macon, Madison, Marengo, Perry, and Conecuh counties in Alabama. The regiment was ordered to Virginia and mustered into the Confederate Army on 7 May 1861 at Lynchburg, Virginia.
It fought in the Battle of First Manassas under Brigadier General Bernard E. Bee. In this fight it lost thirty-three percent of the 750 engaged, including all its field officers. It soon after fell back to Winchester, where it became part of Gen. B. E. Bee's Brigade - of which the 2nd and 11th Mississippi, 1st Tennessee, and 6th North Carolina were the other regiments. Moved to Manassas Junction, the regiment took a prominent part in that conflict, losing 38 killed and 208 wounded out of a total of about 750 engaged. Gen. Bee, killed at Manassas, was succeeded by Gen. W.H.C. Whiting.
Later the 4th was assigned to General Law's and W. F. Perry's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was active in the campaigns of the army from Seven Pines to Cold Harbor except when it was detached with General Longstreet at Suffolk, Chickamauga and Knoxville.
The Fourth wintered at Dumfries, re-enlisted for three years in January 1862, re-organized in April, and about that time moved over to the vicinity of Norfolk. It was engaged both days at Seven Pines, losing 8 killed and 19 wounded. A fortnight later, the Brigade was sent to the Valley, but came back with Jackson's Corps a few days after. It was hotly engaged at Cold Harbor, losing 22 killed and 108 wounded out of 500 present; and lost slightly at Malvern Hill.
Moving northward with the army, the Fourth participated at the second Manassas, losing 20 killed, and 43 wounded. At Boonsboro the loss was slight, and at Sharpsburg 8 were killed, and 36 wounded. After this campaign Gen. Law was assigned to the permanent command of the brigade which was shortly after organized with the Fourth, Fifteenth, Forty-fourth, Forty-seventh, and Forty-eight Alabama regiments as its complement.
The Fourth was engaged at Fredericksburg, losing 5 killed, and 17 wounded. It lost slightly in the brilliant fight at Suffolk, and soon after took up the line of march for Maryland. It passed into Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the assault at Gettysburg, with a loss of 15 killed, and 72 wounded and missing.
In the fall the Fourth moved with Longstreet's corps, and took part at Chicamauga, with a loss of 14 killed, and 54 wounded out of about 3000 engaged. It moved with the corps into east Tennessee, and in the attack on Knoxville lost 5 killed, and 24 wounded.
Rejoining the Army in Virginia, the Fourth was hotly engaged, and lost 15 killed, and 58 wounded at the battle of the Wilderness out of about 250 engaged, and 4 killed and 11 wounded at Spottsylvania. It took part in all the operations to the second Cold Harbor, where its loss was slight.
Then, for nearly ten months, it lay behind the defences of Petersbrug, taking part in the various movements and assaults, losing 10 killed, and 30 wounded during the time. It surrendered 202 men at Appomattox, Gen. Perry of Macon having been in command of the brigade for nearly a year. Of 1422 men on its rolls, about 240 perished in battle, nearly 100 died of disease, and 408 were discharged or transferred.
It reported 130 men disabled at Gaines' Mill, 63 at Second Manassas, and 87 at Gettysburg. Other casualities sustained were thirty-three percent of the 300 at Chickamauga and thirty percent of the 250 at The Wilderness. The 4th Alabama fought in the following major battles and campaigns:
First Manassas, 21 July 1861
Yorktown, 5 April 1862 - 4 May 1862
Seven Pines, 31 May 1862 - 1 June 1862
Seven Days' Battles, 25 June 1862 - 1 July 1862
Second Manassas, 28- 30 August 1862
Antietam, 17 September 1862
Fredericksburg, 13 December 1862
Gettysburg, 1-3 July 1863
Chickamauga, 19 - 20 September 1863
Fort Sanders, 29 November 1863
The Wilderness, 5-6 May 1864
Spotsylvania Campaign, 7-21 May 1864
The 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on Sunday, 9 April 1865, with 21 officers and 202 men. The field officers were Colonels Thomas J. Goldsby, O. K. McLemore, and L. H. Scruggs; and Majors Ben Allston, T. K. Coleman, W. Mack Robbins, and Charles L. Scott. The 4th Alabama had the distinctions of losing all its field officers at the Battle of First Manassas and went on to fight every major battle with the Army of Northern Virginia and never surrendered its colors.
Field and Staff
Colonels - Egbert J. Jones of Madison; killed at the first Manassas. Evander M. Law of Macon; promoted. Pinckney D. Bowles* of Conecuh.
Lieutenant Colonels - E.M. Law; promoted. Thomas J. Goldsby of Dallas; wounded at Cold Harbor; resigned. Owen K. McLemore of Chambers; killed at Boonsboro. P.D. Bowles; promoted. L. Houston Scruggs of Madison; wounded at Chicamauga.
Majors - Charles L. Scott of Wilcox; wounded at Manassas; resigned. P.D. Bowles; promoted. L.H. Scruggs; promoted. Thomas K. Coleman of Perry; killed at Chicamauga. W.M. Robbins of Perry; wounded at Wilderness.
Adjutant - Robert T. Coles of Madison; wounded at Gaines' Mill.
Captains, and Counties from Which Companies Came.
Dallas - Thomas J. Goldsby; promoted. R.V. Kidd; killed at Chicamauga. J.M. West; wounded at Hanover Junction.
Macon 0 T.B.Dryer; till re-organized. E.J. Glass; resigned. Bayless E. Brown; killed at Wilderness.
Dallas - N.H.R. Dawson; till re-organized. Alfred C. Price; killed at Cold Harbor. M.D. Sterret; wounded at Malvern Hill; retired. F.C. Robbin; wounded at Malvern Hill; retired. F.C. Robbins; wounded at Cold Harbor; wounded and captured at Knoxville.
Perry and Marengo - Richard Clarke; till re-organized. Thomas K. Coleman; promoted. James T. Jones; wounded at Wilderness.
Conecuh - P.D. Bowles; promoted. William Lee; killed at Malvern Hill. J.W. Darby; wounded at Wilderness.
Madison - G.B. Mastin; killed at Seven Pines. W.W. Leftwich; killed at Gettysburg. James H. Brown; wounded at Wilderness.
Perry - Porter King; till re-organized. Wm M. Robbins; promoted. H.H. Moseley; wounded and captured at Knoxville.
Lauderdale - Robert McFarland; till re-organized. H. Armistead; killed at the first Cold Harbor. W.F. Karsner.
Madison - Edward D. Tracy; transferred and promoted. L. Houston Scruggs; wounded at Malvern Hill, and Sharpsburg; promoted. Walter Harris; died in the service.
Jackson - R.B. Linsey; killed at first Manassas. J.D. Ogilvie; died in the service. James H. Young; till re-organized. W.H. Robinson; wounded at Cold Harbor; retired. James Sullivan; killed at Sharpsburg. James Keith; killed at Fredericksburg. A. Murray; killed at Petersburg. .... McIver.
* This officer did not receive his commission as brigadier, but in the closing days of the war he was appointed to the command of five regiments, and a full brigade staff reported to him. Born in Edgefield district, S.C., in 1838, Pinckney Downie Bowles was educated at the military academy in Charleston, and the University of Virginia. He read law under Gen. McGowan at Abbeville, and located in Conecuh County, this state, to practice in 1859. He was there engaged at the beginning of the war. His military record is the history of the Fourth Alabama Infantry, of which he was the brave and faithful commander. He is now a practitioner of law at Evergreen, Conecuh County.
http://www.archives.state.al.us/referenc/alamilor/mil_org.html
Today, the heritage and traditions of the 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment are carried on by the 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry, Alabama Army National Guard.
Our battalion motto, "Signa Inferemus", is latin for "WE WILL ATTACK!".
During the Civil War, the "Fourth Alabama" participated in 38 skirmishes and 17 major campaigns. The major battle in which this unit participated was the Battle of Manassas. At Appomattox, approximately 299 officers and enlisted men surrendered their arms.
The "Fourth Alabama" was mustered and reorganized in 1875 and served as state militia until 1911. On July 15, 1911, the "Fourth Alabama" became a National Guard unit.
MEXICAN INCURSION
The regiment was mustered and reorganized in 1875 and from that date until 1911 it served as militia. On July 15, 1911 the Fourth became a National Guard unit. On June 28, 1916, the unit was called into federal service and soon afterwards was sent to the Mexican border where it remained until March 16, 1917 to meet the threat of mexican bandit "Pancho Villa" who had raided American border towns. From this time until August, 1917 the Fourth was in camp at Vandiver in Montgomery, Alabama.
WORLD WAR 1
On August 14, 1917 the Regiment was designated the 167" United States Infantry and assigned to the 42nd (Rainbow) Division which was then being activated at Camp Mills, Long Island, New York. Under the command of Colonel William P. Screws the regiment joined three others, the 165" New York (formally the "Fighting 69""), the 166" Ohio, and the 168" Iowa, and troops from twenty-six different states.
On November 6, 1917 the 167" started across the Atlantic. It arrived in France on November 28 and, after participating in intensive training, went up to the front lines February 24, 1918 in the Luneville Sector. In the first week of April the Rainbow Division took over an entire Division sector, being the first American division so honored. At that time the Rainbow Division was part of the Twenty-first Corps of the Fourth Army. On July 15 it was in the Champagne-Marne Sector, when one of the greatest battles of the war, the Second Battle of the Marne, began. The Germans, attacking with approximately 60,000 men, were twice repulsed on this day and twice more the next. This marked the first time that the Allies had successfully contained a German attack since October 1917.
In the Chateau-Thierry drive the regiment opened its attack on the Croix Rouge Farm. As Brigadier General Henry J. Riley has written, "The capture of the Croix Rouge Farm and clearing belongs in that list of military exploits which cannot fail to excite the admiration of those who hear the tale, because of the determination and gallantry displayed." This capture broke the German line in the Marne Salient. Next came the crossing of the Ouroq and the attack of Sergy Hill, then St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. In this list the impregnable position of the Germans, the Kreimhilde Stellung," was broken by troops of the Rainbow Division. General Charles P. Summerall, who was in command of this operation, thus cited the 84" Brigade for it's gallantry:
Of all things mentioned in the history of the American Army, the most exacting it was ever called upon to do was take the "Cote de Chattilon" in the Argonne, the key to the "Kreimmlde Stellung," or strong line of defense of the German Army, that the Alabamians did and without that accomplishment the American Army's advance on November ~ would have been utterly impossible. If all things I have pride in, it is the fact that I was in command of troops who brought about that wonderful feat of arms.
On August 14, 1917, the regiment was designated the 167th United States Infantry and assigned to the 42nd Rainbow Division which was activated at Camp Mills, Long Island, New York. In November 1917, the 167th crossed the Atlantic. The unit was sent to the front lines and participated in the largest engagement of the war--"The Second Battle of the Marne".
To be precise in World War I, the 167th Infantry fought in the 84th Brigade of the 42d "Rainbow" Division. The 42d which was one of four American divisions to be considered as an "assault division" by General Pershing. It should be noted that the Division's Chief of Staff and later, Commander of its 84th Infantry Brigade was a young Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur. When the Division was performing its assault mission, the Divisional engineers prepared the way through mine fields, and field fortifications, and would be exposed to enemy fire as often as the infantry. The time for training would soon be over and the "Rainbow" Division and the 117th would soon receive their baptism of fire.
On 22 February 1918, the 117th Engineers moved to the front line. On that day, the 117th had their first action at Habainville, in the Lunville Sector. At that time the company was attached to a French unit, the 167e Régiment d'Infanterie. This was to last until 21 March 1918. The Lunville sector was officially a "quiet" sector. It was so quiet that German Soldiers regularly did their laundry in the shell craters of "No Man's Land" during broad daylight. When the 42d Division took its place in the line, the men of the 167th Infantry Regiment (formerly the 4th Alabama Infantry Regiment) saw this and decided that they didn't come thousands of miles to see the enemy do their laundry. They opened fire on the Germans, and Lunville was a quiet sector no more. The 117th was now busy constructing and repairing the massive system of trenches and fortifications that made up the Western Front. Artillery bombardments soon became the routine. All of this was made worse by days and days of cold rains. Soon the division received orders that they were to be moved to rest area on 22 March 1918. It would be their first of many rests that they would not get.
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm
MANNING, SIDNEY E.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army National Guard Company "G", 167th Infantry, 42d Division.
Place and date: Near Breuvannes, France, 28 July 1918. Entering service at: Flomaton, Ala. Born: 17 July 1892, Butler County, Ala. G.O. No.:44, W.D., 1919.
Citation: When his Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant had both become casualties soon after the beginning of an assault on strongly fortified heights overlooking the Ourcq River, Cpl. Manning took command of his platoon, which was near the center of the attacking line.
Though himself severely wounded he led forward the 35 men remaining in the platoon and finally succeeded in gaining a foothold on the enemy's position, during which time he had received more wounds and all but 7 of his men had fallen. Directing the consolidation of the position, he held off a large body of the enemy only 50 yards away by fire from his automatic rifle. He declined to take cover until his line had been entirely consolidated with the line of the platoon on the front when he dragged himself to shelter, suffering from 9 wounds in all parts of the body.
NEIBAUR, THOMAS C.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army National Guard, Company "M", 167th Infantry, 42d Division.
Place and date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 16 October 1918.
Entered service at: Sugar City, Idaho.
Born: 17 May 1898, Sharon, Idaho. G.O. No.: 1 18, W .D., 1918.
Citation: On the afternoon of 16 October 1918, when the Cote-de-Chatillion had just been gained after bitter fighting and the summit of that strong bulwark in the Kriemhilde Stellung was being organized, Pvt. Neibour was sent out on patrol with his automatic rifle squad to enfilade enemy machinegun nests. As he gained the ridge he set up his automatic rifle and was directly thereafter wounded in both legs by fire from a hostile machinegun on his flank. The advance wave of the enemy troops, counterattacking, had about gained the ridge, and although practically cut off and surrounded, the remainder of his detachment being killed or wounded, this gallant Soldier kept his automatic rifle in operation to such effect that by his own efforts and by fire from the skirmish line of his company, at least 100 yards in his rear, the attack was checked. The enemy wave being halted and Iying prone, 4 of the enemy attacked Pvt. Neibour at close quarters. These he killed. He then moved alone among the enemy Iying on the ground about him, in the midst of the fire from his own lines, and by coolness and gallantry captured 11 prisoners at the point of his pistol and, although painfully wounded, brought them back to our lines. The counterattack in full force was arrested to a large extent by the single efforts of this Soldier, whose heroic exploits took place against the skyline in full view of his entire battalion.
UPDATE 2000: Neibour or Neibaur? Middle initial "S" or "C"? 107th or 167th?
The U.S. Army lists our CMH winner as being in the 107th, when no such unit served in the 42d "Rainbow" Division in WWI. CPT Norred, BN S-1 contacted the Idaho NG Museum which holds his actual MOH and got to the "bottom" of this situation, they report:
"I am in possession of an article/interview that Thomas Croft Neibaur did for a magazine back in 1919. The middle name is Croft (his mothers maiden name was Croft) The last name is Neibaur and it is spelled with an A.
He states that "on the 10th of February I was transferred to the Forty-second, or Rainbow Division" and that he "continued with them until I was wounded and disabled."
I am also in possession of an article written by CWO Lorge of the Michigan Army National Guard (I can not find a date on it) It seems Thomas C. Neibaur had a son named Gene E. Neibaur. Captain Gene E. Neibaur was the Executive Officer in Headquarters Company, 107th Engineer Battalion of Michigan's 46th Infantry Division. Perhaps that is where the number 107, the unit indicated on his citation, came from.
The Curator of the Idaho State Historical Museum sent me the following message:
I took the MOH out of storage and it reads on the back:
T.C. Neibaur
Co. M 167 Inf.
by
Gen. Pershing
Feb. 9, 1919
Our library looked up more info on him. He died at the VA in Walla Walla on Dec. 23, 1942. He was an automatic rifleman, which probably means the horrible French Chauchat, although some American units had received the BAR by Oct. 19, 1918 when he earned his medal. The spelling in all reports, on the medal, in the newspaper, on the deed of gift of the medal to the state, etc. all use NEIBAUR. So does his family in eastern Idaho whom I am in contact with.
It would appear that a correction needs to be made to the official citation record. I profiled T.C. Neibaur in our September 1999 Newsletter and it was after publication that we were contacted by his family and received the additional information I have just referred to. On our webpage under the heading Newsletters, you will find the story we ran which includes a photo of him and a photo of the front of his medal. I will be making an update to it shortly.
This is definitely an interesting project. We found an error on the record of this individual and I located information on another individual that the Congressional Medal of Honor Society had listed as "Lost In History". It makes one wonder how many other corrections need to be made.
Gayle E. Alvarez
After serving in the Army of Occupation the regiment was returned to Montgomery, Alabama where it was mustered out on May 19, 1919. In July 1923, the Regiment was assigned to the 31st Dixie Division.
Decorations, Citations and Awards (U.S. & Foreign)earned by Soldiers serving in 167th Infantry Regiment; 42d Division during the World War (WW I)
Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
Manning, Sidney S.; Corporal, "G" Company, Flomaton, Alabama
Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Atkinson, Ralph; Sergeant, HQ Company, Montgomery, Alabama
Country: France
Ables, Crawford; Private, Gadsden, Alabama
Awarded the Croix De Guerre with Palm and Military Medal
For subsequent acts of bravery, the Croix de Guerre recipient was awarded a palm leaf for Army citations, a gold star for Corps citations, a silver star for Division citations or a bronze star for Brigade and Regimental citations.
Berg, John W.; Corporal, "B" Company, Pine Barren, Florida
Awarded the Ordre De Leopold
Country: Belgium
Howe, Maurice W.; Captain, Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Awarded the Order of the Crown
Wren, Edward W.; Second Lieutenant, Talladega, Alabama
Awarded the Military Medal
Country: Great Britain
Maas, Charles S.; Corporal, "F" Company, Selma, Alabama
Additionally, Seventy-Seven Soldiers in the One Hundred and Sixty-Seventh Infantry Regiment were cited by the Commander-General of the 42d "Rainbow" Division. Those cited are named as follows:
Austin, John C. Pvt.;
WORLD WAR 2
During the dark days of World War II (WWII), American forces were on the retreat or worse captured and marched into death camps by the Japanese, except in the Philipines where Generals MacArthur and Wainwright held out for 6 MONTHS after the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7th, 1941. What most people to this day still do not realize is how for all intents and purposes, America did not enter WWII until 1942, 3 YEARS after the war began in Europe. During those 3 years, America under the leadership of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) helped 3 nations to hold off the Germans and Japanese; Great Britain, China and Russia while America mobilized her Army and National Guard. On November 25, 1940, the 167th along with the rest of the 31st Infantry "Dixie Division" was ordered to active duty. From that date until March 1944, it trained 3,798 officers and 35,980 enlisted men, of which approximately two-thirds were sent overseas as replacements.
It was from 1939-1942 that all of those war winning equipments--the C-47 Dakota cargo plane, the M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle, the Higgins boat landing craft (LCVP), the 4x4 jeep began to flow by the thousands out of American plants. Where would we be if we had had an isolationist President at the time can be best be expressed by the phrase, "Sprecken zie deutsch?"
During those dark 3 years of WWII, the Chinese had fought the Japanese to a standstill in China, the British had evacuated her Army from Dunkirk and held off the Germans from invading England, all thanks to American help. The Russian winter had set in and Hitler had failed to reach Moscow and knock Russia out of the war like Germany had in WWI. If she had she could have concentrated all her forces against the English, and to put things in perspective, Germany attacked Russia with 104 DIVISIONS. That's right. Today's U.S. Army has but 12 Divisions on active duty and 8 in the National Guard. With Germany faltering, the Japanese entered the war with a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor forcing America to fight. This was a turning point in the war.
FDR had with MacArthur's insistance fortified the Philipines and for 6 months held up the Japanese advance, giving us valuable time to rebuild our fleet and field armies (we fielded over 50 Divisions during WWII). When FDR ordered MacArthur out of there by PT boat it was not running from a fight, but running to a fight because the Japanese were on the march towards Australia. The Japanese juggernaut was in full force until it was stopped in the Philipines which resulted in key, capable Japanese Generals being fired and kept out of the war because they had overly optimistic until meeting the Americans and Philipinos. However, with Japan in the control of the seas, there was no way to resupply the Philipines.
Map of Southwest Pacific Area of operations and smaller Central Pacific Area
While Allied Generals were preparing to defend Australian cities to the last man, newly arriving General MacArthur in that moment decided otherwise. "WE WILL ATTACK". No more Bataans. No more Correigidors. No more Dunkirks. He said, "here..(pointing on a map north of Australia) in New Guinea". But to turn the Allied Forces from retreat into victory would require fresh, energetic Soldiers and guess who General MacArthur had to turn the tide of the war? That's correct, his old comrades from WWI, the entire 167th Infantry, 4th Alabama! A NATIONAL GUARD outfit. After the Japanese amphibious landing was repulsed at Milne Bay, they landed on the north parts of the island and proceeded to move overland, expecting the Americans and Australians to sit there and let them come. Instead, MacArthur had American and Australian troops flown in by AIR from Australia.
On March 13,1944 the 167th Regiment was on its way to the Pacific Theater. The first combat engagement occurred July 17, when the regiment relieved the First Infantry, 6th Division, at Maffin Bay, New Guinea. From then until September the regiment engaged the enemy thorough vigorous patrolling and in defensive operations on the Maffin Bay beachhead. Upon being relieved at Maffin Bay, the regiment participated in the invasion of Morotai Island, landing there September 15, 1944. One battalion from the regiment left Morotai and successfully invaded and secured the Mapia Islands group. This accomplished, the battalion returned and engaged in the final assault against the enemy at Morotai cutting off the withdrawing Japanese forces while the 33rd Division made a frontal assault. The objective for this campaign was reached and mission accomplished on January 10, 1945.
From January to April, 1945 the regiment, minus two Battalion Combat Teams, which patrolled Morotai and continued mopping up operations in that area, moved to Samapor, Dutch New Guinea, where it went into defensive preparations. On April 22, elements of the 167th landed at Parang, Mindanao, Philippine Islands. Active patrolling started May 10 along the Taloma Trail, near Davao. This period was one of intense activity during which the regiment suffered most of its casualties. All Battalions of the Regiment participated in the fighting during this period, but seldom functioned as complete units. This action continued in its severity until August 15. With the cessation of hostilities, the regiment withdrew and closed into bivouac at Kaliao, September 10. Even before the Regiment had closed Daliao, the enemy had started the mass surrender that was to become a common occurrence. By October 10 the Regiment had accepted the surrender of six generals and a rear admiral. During its participation in the Pacific Theater the regiment lost 121 killed, 412 wounded, and one missing.
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/brochures/papua/papua.htm
"The 1 October plan was marked by the innovation which would characterize MacArthur's leadership throughout the Pacific War: resupply by air. Once units entered the jungled mountains, resupply became a major problem. The Australian practice of relying on the strong backs of New Guineans did not solve the problem, since the bearers usually deserted when they suspected enemy presence. The Allies settled on the airdrop. Expanding its range as fast as new airfields could be constructed, the Fifth Air Force proved invaluable in overcoming the obstacles of sea distance and rugged terrain. Crates of food and supplies were pushed out the hatches of low-flying C - 47s over breaks in the jungle ceiling. Though not perfect—hungry, diseased troops sometimes saw crates of food, medicine, and ammunition fall down mountainsides just out of reach—the airdrops continued and improved as aircrews gained experience."
WE WILL ATTACK! When MacArthur sent General Eichelberger to "Take Buna (airstrip) or don't come back alive", he turned the tide of the war around. As the 31st "Dixie Division" ("DD" on your shoulder patches) arrived, he sent our 4th Alabama through the rain soaked, disease-ridden savage jungles of New Guinea to beat the "unbeatable" Japanese.
The Official U.S. Army History states:
U.S. Army road to victory in the Pacific: New Guinea Campaign
"Aircraft, ships, landing craft, ammunition, medicine, equipment—in short, the sinews of war—gradually found their way to MacArthur's fighting men. Still, without flexible senior commanders who adapted their plans to wring full advantage of Japanese weakness, the campaign could have degenerated into a meatgrinder along the coast which is what the enemy wanted.
Instead the speed of MacArthur's seaborne envelopments consistently surprised the Japanese. At the strongpoints where they expected to fight a delaying action, MacArthur bypassed them. Where they were weak, he overwhelmed them. Between Wau and Sansapor 110,000 of the emperor's Soldiers and sailors died from enemy action, disease, or starvation in the pestilent jungles, the cold mountains, or in the empty seas. Another 30,000 were isolated in New Guinea and neutralized. Add to this the more than 57,000 imperial Soldiers and 39,000 Sailors marooned on New Britain and the totality of Allied victory in the New Guinea Campaign comes into sharp relief.
Victory on the ground depended on local air superiority which enabled the Navy to carry the ground forces safely forward to the next objective. The infantry held the ground and allowed the engineers to construct a forward air base, and the cycle began again. Against this sophisticated employment of combined arms warfare, modern technology, and industrial might, Tokyo asked its hardened veterans to do the impossible. Japanese infantry operations, brave, determined, but futile, were swept aside by Allied joint operations relying on the combined air, naval, and ground firepower essential for the conduct of modern war. MacArthur bypassed the jungle and left it to devour the Japanese Soldiers isolated in its interior.
But above all New Guinea was the story of the courage of the GI who could always be counted on to move forward against a determined foe. It was the ordinary American Soldier who endured the worst deprivations that the debilitating New Guinea climate and terrain could offer. It was the lowly GI who was the brains, the muscle, the blood, and the heart and soul of the great army that came of age in the Southwest Pacific Area in 1943 and 1944. In one tough fight after another, he never lost a battle to the Japanese. Those accomplishments and sacrifices are forever his and deserve to be remembered by all."
The rest is undeniable history--Buna was taken, the Japanese were defeated in the jungle as MacArthur formed his brilliant leap-frogging tactics by air/sea/ground envelopments bypassing Japanese strongpoints and cutting off their supplies so they "withered on the vine", thus saving thousands of American lives that were not so lucky in other frontalist tactics campaigns in the central Pacific. The spirit of "WE WILL ATTACK!" drove American forces all the way back to the Philipines were we rescued our fellow Americans held there as POWs as soon as humanly possible not ignoring them and attacking Formosa (Taiwan) as the Navy wanted to do. If you look at the battle streamers of the 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry, you will see the battles that the 4th Alabama helped win and defeat the Japanese to the point where the atomic bombs were dropped and the "never surrender" enemy surrendered on the deck of the Iowa-class battleship, USS Missouri, with General MacArthur presiding.
WE WILL ATTACK!
During the invasion of Okinawa in 1945, the last land battle of the war, the enemy rather than meet us on the beaches, hid out in caves and lashed out, causing many to die or be disfigured trying to clear the caves of the Japanese. Off shore, Japanese Kamikaze suicide pilots were crashing into our carriers, the world's first glimpse of essentially guided missile warfare, with devastating results. On December 19 the last elements of the 167th Infantry arrived in California and were inactivated two days later.
In 1946 the 167th Infantry Regiment was again activated as a part of the Alabama National Guard.
KOREAN WAR
The 167th Infantry was again activated as an Alabama National Guard unit as part the 3lst Division, on January 15, 1951. The "Dixie Division", over 12,000 strong, was the largest volunteer group ever to enter the United States Army. The 167th Regiment participated in intensive training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Camp McCall, North Carolina, Longhorn maneuvers, and at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The 167th Regiment had a large number of its men sent to every part of the world as replacements, the vast majority going to war in Korea.
After the Korean War the 167th Infantry was deactivated on April 2, 1953 from Federal service. A lot of 4th Alabama Soldiers are unaware that we DID fight in the Korean war, but when you fight as individual replacements, the UNIT doesn't get the credit, and you can easily think your UNIT was "sitting on its thumbs" while a Major Theater of War conflict was going on! I think if over 25% of a unit's individuals get sent to a conflict, the UNIT should get a "war streamer" to represent the contribution they made to the victory. The Army wouldn't have to track down who fought in what battles. The 167th Infantry was reactivated April 2, 1953 and is again serving at this time as a National Guard Unit.
VIETNAM
In 1958 American advisors were sent to Vietnam, and in 1965 ground troops. The war would continue until 1973 when U.S. Combat forces left, leaving the war to the South Vietnamese to fight. In 1975, South Vietnam fell to the North Vietnamese Army.
The U.S. Army did not mobilize her reserve components for the Vietnam war, instead using the individual replacement system that was used in the Korean war to keep active duty units filled out. Many have cited the lack of reserve mobilization as a major cause of the war not getting the entire American public involved and getting thee entire force of America behind the effort to win it decisively. America would not make this mistake again in the Gulf war against Iraq.
However, there are many 4th Alabama Soldiers who fought in the Vietnam war and later joined our ranks. There are even a few still on duty if you look at their ribbons on their Class "A" uniforms.
On January 15, 1968, the 167th Infantry was designated the 167th (M) Infantry and assigned to the 30th Armored Division which was split between the states of Tennessee and Alabama. The unit came under the command of the 31st Brigade, one of three Brigades in the 30th Armored Division.
GRENADA, PANAMA, DESERT STORM/SHIELD
During the Cold war confrontation with communism, America had to on numerous occasions go into battle to protect her citizens and defend her allies. There are many 4th Alabama Soldiers in our ranks today with a "combat patch" on their right shoulder and Combat Infantryman Badges (CIBs) from these conflicts from their time with active duty units.
THE PRESENT
The 4th Alabama Soldier trains hard; he has weathered the cold at Mountain Warfare school in Vermont, the desert sands at Fort Irwin's National Training Center as black-beret OPFOR, he has battled and won against the wily OPFOR in the steaming bayous of Fort Polk, Louisiana. He is now set to fly across the Atlantic ocean and build a partnership for peace with a former Warsaw Pact nation to keep ugly conflicts like Chechnya from spreading throughout Europe.
Today, America is in a precarious position with prosperity at home, the clouds of war are brewing once again in the far east by foes who underestimate America's resolve to keep the world free and think they can gain an advantage through clever asymmetry (Doing something we do not expect). For example, guided missile weapons 5 times faster and far more accurate than a propellor-driven airplane kamikaze await the American force that tries to deploy by slow moving ships seen from space satellites. The U.S. no longer controls the Panama canal, will it be open for ships from the Atlantic ocean to be able to cross to the Pacific and vise-a-versa? Or will our ships have to spend a week sailing around the tip of South America?--the war might be over by then. Thus, in a fight that might materialize within hours without months and years to get ourselves ready, the chances are great that American troops will be FLOWN IN to the scene of battle to save the day as the 4th Alabama was during the dark days of 1942. With America smug and confident from recent victories in Iraq and Kosovo, recruiting numbers are down with a strong economy at home. Some units would just as well go to sleep content to wait until their manning numbers go up, but not the 4th Alabama. To the credit of our chain of command, its has decided instead to go on the offensive and ready itself in the toughest training the Army has to offer, the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, with the goal of being the BEST, and to be ready for the Nation's call which has already come with the RESCUE EAGLE mission in Eastern Europe. Those that want to be the best will want to be with us as we do our best. When the issue is in doubt, WE WILL ATTACK!
So whatever the problem is that is troubling you at the moment, stop and take a minute and think about SIGNA INFEREMUS---written on our Battalion crests---and go on the offensive and solve that problem--THAT is the differance between a 4th Alabama Soldier and most others---WE WILL ATTACK! to answer our nation's call when the hour is the darkest.
Attached to the flag staff of the regimental colors are twenty-four battle streamers denoting the regiment's participation in wars around the world during 25 years. The men of this Alabama regiment have served their country and state nobly, always living up to their motto, Signa Inferemus, "We shall attack"
The legacy and tradition of the old Fourth Alabama and 167" Infantry Regiment are still carried today in the elite 1/167" (Mechanized) Infantry Battalion; 31st Separate Armored Brigade, Alabama Army National Guard.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY: Lineage and Honors
167th INFANTRY (FOURTH ALABAMA)
Organized January-February 1836 as the Regiment Alabama Militia, commanded by Colonel William Chisolm
Mustered into Federal service 27 February-i March 1836 at Mobile; mustered out of Federal service in May 1836 at Mobile and elements continued as independent volunteer militia companies Reorganized and mustered into Federal service 23 May-8 June 1846 at Mobile as Lieutenant Colonel Raiford's Battalion, 1st Regiment Alabama Volunteers, commanded by Colonel J. M. Withers Regiment (less Lieutenant Colonel Raiford's Battalion and three companies) mustered out of Federal service 16 June 1846 at Mobile; Lieutenant Colonel Raiford's Battalion and three companies consolidated with companies of Colonel J. R. Coffey's 1st Regiment of Alabama Volunteers (mustered into Federal service 8-29 June 1846 at Mobile)
Lieutenant Colonel Raiford's Battalion withdrawn from Colonel J. R. Coffey's 1st Regiment of Alabama Volunteers and mustered out of Federal service 18 August 1846 at Mobile; remainder of regiment mustered out of Federal service 25-29 May 1847 at New Orleans, Louisiana
Reorganized in part as Major J. J. Seibles' Battalion, Alabama Infantry, and mustered into Federal service November 1847-February 1848 at Mobile; mustered out of Federal service 26-28 June 1848 at Mobile and elements continued as independent volunteer militia companies in central Alabama
Reorganized in part as the 4th Regiment Alabama Infantry (organized by Colonel J. J. Seibles) and mustered into Confederate service in May 1861 at Dalton, Georgia
Surrendered 9 April 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, with the Army of Northern Virginia Reconstituted 30 September 1875 in the Alabama Volunteer Militia and reorganized from existing companies in central and southern Alabama as the 1st Regiment of Infantry
Regiment (less companies in southern Alabama) reorganized and redesignated 25 November 1875 as the 2d Regiment of Infantry (Companies in southern Alabama concurrently reorganized as the 1st Regiment of Infantry - hereafter separate lineage)
(Alabama Volunteer Militia redesignated 9 February 1877 as the Alabama State Troops) Regiment (less companies in central and northwestern Alabama) reorganized and redesignated 1887-1888 as the 3d Regiment of Infantry (Companies in central and northwestern Alabama concurrently reorganized as the 2d Regiment of Infantry - hereafter separate lineage)
(Alabama State Troops redesignated 18 February 1897 as the Alabama National Guard)
3d Regiment of Infantry redesignated as the 1st Alabama Volunteer Infantry and mustered into Federal service 9-24 May 1898 at Mobile; mustered out of Federal service 31 October 1898 at Birmingham Reorganized 1898-1899 in the Alabama National Guard in central and northern Alabama as the 3d Infantry Regiment
Redesignated 15 July 1911 as the 4th Infantry Regiment Mustered into Federal service 28 June-i July 1916 at Montgomery Assigned 1 August 1917 to the 42d Division
Drafted into Federal service 5 August 1917 Reorganized and redesignated 15 August 1917 as the 167th Infantry Demobilized 19 May 1919 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi Reorganized 1 July 1919 in the Alabama National Guard as the 4th Infantry
Redesignated 16 December 1921 as the 167th Infantry and assigned to the 39th Division; Headquarters Federally recognized 10 April 1922 at Birmingham
Relieved 1 July 1923 from assignment to the 39th Division and assigned to the 31st Division (later redesignated as the 31st Infantry Division)
(Location of Headquarters changed 11 January 1932 to Gadsden) Inducted into Federal service 25 November 1940 at home stations Inactivated 8-29 December 1945 at Camp Stoneman, California
Reorganized and Federally recognized 2 December 1946 with Headquarters at Birmingham Ordered into active Federal service 16 January 1951 at home stations
(167th Infantry [NGUS] organized and Federally recognized 1 April 1953 with Headquarters at Birmingham)
Released 15 June 1954 from active Federal service and reverted to state control; Federal recognition concurrently withdrawn from the 167th Infantry (NGUS)
Reorganized 2 May 1959 (less the 2d Battalion) as a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st and 2d Battle Groups, elements of the 31st Infantry Division (2d Battalion concurrently converted and redesignated as the 1 52d Armor - hereafter separate lineage) Reorganized 15 April 1963 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 31st Infantry Division (1St Battalion ordered into active Federal service 11 June 1963 at home stations; released 23 June 1963 from active Federal service and reverted to state control. Ordered into active Federal service 10 September 1963 at home stations; released 12 September 1963 from active Federal service and reverted to state control. Ordered into active Federal service [less Company C] 20 March 1965 at home stations; released 29 March 1965 from active Federal service and reverted to state control)
Reorganized 15 January 1968 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 30th Armored Division Reorganized 1 November 1973 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 31St Armored Brigade Withdrawn 1 May 1989 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System
CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT
Indian Wars
4th Alabama Infantry Regiment, "From Huntsville to Appomattox: R. T. Cole's History of the Fourth Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry, C.S.A. Army of Northern Virginia," edited by Jeffrey D. Stocker. Originally written in 1901 by R.T. Coles, adjutant, 4th Alabama. This unit was part of Law's Brigade, Hood's Division, Longstreet's Confederate Army Corps, participated in all major battles in the Eastern Theater. Includes unedited accounts of First Manassas, Gettysburg and the Wilderness. 304 pages, cost $ 33.00.
http://users.erols.com/jreb/alabama.html
Law's Brigade
http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/lawsbrig.html#4th
Southern experience in 19th Century America
http://metalab.unc.edu/docsouth/houghton/houghton.html
"Alabama's Own In France; War Stories of the 167th U.S. Infantry" by William H. Amerine in 1919. William H. Amerine was a serviceman who was appointed as the 167th's official Unit Historian. He completed this book in 1919 and it is no slipshod piece of work, he was thorough and fully detailed.
Secretary
Idaho Military Historical Society
gayle.alvarez@idbois.ang.af.mil
http://inghro.state.id.us/museum
The activation's of the Rainbow Division in World War I may be summarized as follows; suffered 14,683 casualties, or approximately 30% of the men who served with the Division; in contact with the enemy 164 days; lost only 112 prisoners to the enemy or during battles within the German lines or during attacks; and advanced 55 kilometers under fire. The Regiment, along with its parent unit, the Rainbow Division, had proven to the world that National Guard troops could successfully fight the best-trained Soldiers in the world. Two Congressional Medal of Honors as well as Twelve French Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) were earned by 167th Soldiers. In addition, the 167th and it's parent unit were in combat eight days longer than any other American unit during the war.
About the CMH
Neibour, Thomas S. ; Private, "M" Company, Sugar City, Idaho
About the DSC
Baldwin, Moses E.; Corporal, "G" Company, Midland City, Alabama
Berg, Joseph; Private, "G" Company, Mount Vernon, Washington
Brown, Bill; Sergeant, "G" Company, Ozark, Alabama
Christenberry, Curn; Private, "L" Company, Lauderville, Alabama
Collins, Patrick; Second Lieutenant, El Paso, Texas
Dasch, Carl W.; Private, HQ Company, Weiser, Idaho
Duke, Ary A.; Private, "H" Company, Dozier, Alabama
Espy, Robert; First Lieutenant, 'B" Company, Abbeville, Alabama
Fallow, Thomas; Captain, "I" Company, Opelika, Alabama
Fillingem, Linnie; Private, "H" Company, Victoria, Alabama
Gentry, Norman; Private, "G" Company, Huntsville, Alabama
Green, Donald W.; Second Lieutenant, Chicago , Illinois
Hall, Varner; Sergeant, "D" Company, Birmingham, Alabama
Hawie, Schad; Private, "F" Company, Jackson, Mississippi
Hoper, Ben; Private, "F" Company, Huntsville, Alabama
Howe, Maurice W.; Captain, Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Freeman, Edgar H.; Corporal, "D" Company, Huntsville, Alabama
Levinson, Abe; Private, "G" Company, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Mass, Charles S.; Corporal, "F" Company, Selma, Alabama
Milner, Jack W.; Sergeant, "H" Company, Alexander City, Alabama
Norris, Ravee; Major, Birmingham, Alabama
Parrish, Grady; Sergeant, "G" Company, Daleville, Alabama
Pitts, William S.; Private, "M" Company, Anniston, Alabama
Richards, Samson; Colonel, HQ, Montgomery, Alabama
Roberts, Clair C.; Second Lieutenant, Altoona, Alabama
Roberts, Gary A.; Corporal, "B" Company, Hurricane, Alabama
Seale, Mitchell J.; Sergeant, "K" Company, Birmingham, Alabama
Teske, Amos; Corporal, "D" Company, Coal Valley, Alabama
Thornton, Robert N.; Corporal, "I" Company, Central, Alabama
Wadsworth, Lee A.; Sergeant, "G" Company, Mulberry, Alabama
Walters, John B.; Private, "F" Company, Attalla, Alabama
West, James H.; Sergeant, "F" Company, Hokes Bluff, Alabama
Whited, Homer; Corporal, "D" Company, Bessemer, Alabama
Wood, Alton P.; Second Lieutenant, Boston, Alabama
Wren, Edward R.; Second Lieutenant, Talladega, Alabama
Awarded the Croix De Guerre (French War Cross)
Established: 8 April 1915
Criteria: During World War I, the Croix de Guerre was awarded for bravery to military personnel mentioned in dispatches. Recipients of the Légion d'Honneur and Médaille Militaire were automatically entitled to the Croix de Guerre.
Burt, George W.; Corporal, Montgomery, Alabama
Fairchild, Leslie W.; First Lieutenant, New York City, New York
Fenn, Ollie; Corporal, "E" Company, Hartselle, Alabama
Freeman, Edgar H.; Corporal, "D" Company, Huntsville, Alabama
Hall, Varner; Sergeant, "D" Company, Birmingham, Alabama
Hughes, Scott; Corporal, Marion, Alabama
Johnston, William M.; First Lieutenant, Brooklyn, New York
Seitz, Clyde R.; Sergeant, Machine Gun Company
Teske, Amos; Corporal, "D" Company, Coal Valley, Alabama
West, James H.; Sergeant, "F" Company, Hokes Bluff, Alabama
Whited, Homer; Corporal, "D" Company, Bessemer, Alabama
Established: 12 April 1900, by King Leopold II of Belgium
Classes: Five classes: Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.
Criteria: The Order of Leopold II (Ordre de Léopold II) was bestowed upon recipients for personal services to the King of Belgium.
Established: 15 October 1897, by King Leopold II
Classes: Awarded in five classes: Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight.
Established: 25 March 1916
Criteria: The Military Medal (MM) was awarded for individual or associated acts of bravery.
Bowen, John A. Mechanic;
Breeding, Dick B. 2Lt.,
Brown, Clyde Pvt.;
Brown, Harry H. Pvt.;
Cardillo, Luigi Pvt.;
Carter, John W. Sgt.;
Cartledge,
Grover H. Pvt.;
Collins, Patrick Sgt.;
Couch, Harry P. Pvt.;
Cropper, Ben Pvt.;
Cruse, Henry P.
Corp.; David,
Charles J. Pvt.;
Dismukes, John L. Pvt.;
Fairchild, Hoxie N. 2Lt.;
Farrell, Cecil D.;
Harless, Lee D. 1st Sgt.;
Harrington, James C. Pvt.;
Holcomb, Ralph P. Pvt.;
Howard, John M. Pvt.;
Howe, Maurice W. Capt.;
Hughes, Joseph H. Sgt.;
Hughes, William R. Pvt.;
Hughes, William S. Pvt.;
Hull, John L. Pvt.;
Johnson, George S. Pvt.;
Jolly, Ernest C. Pvt.;
Jordan, Mortimer H. Capt.;
Killough, Joseph C. Pvt.;
Kilpatrick, John J. Corp.;
King, James T. Pvt.;
Knight, Walter Corp.;
Loomis, Charles W. Pvt.;
Lutes, Arthur Sgt.;
Maas,Charles S. Sgt.; Marvis,
Peter H. Pvt.;
Maxwell, Roy L. Pvt.;
May, Talmadge Sgt.;
McCain, John B. Pvt.;
Merrill, Jim Pvt.;
Mouchette, Robert W. Pvt.;
Newton, John G. Pvt.;
Norton, Birge Corp.;
Parker, Preston P. 2Lt.;
Patterson, William Pvt.;
Pilcher, Robert R. Corp.;
Pitts, William Pvt.;
Raymond, William Pvt.;
Richards, Sampson N. Pvt.;
Sanderson, David D. Pvt.;
Saunders, Curtis Pvt.;
Scollick, Joseph E. Pvt.;
Seitz, Clyde R. Sgt.;
Shipman, Enlow Corp.;
Sims, Albert Pvt.;
Sitz, Bob Pvt.;
Smart, Roy W. Pvt.;
Smith, John P. Pvt.;
Smith, Joseph E. Sgt.;
Smith, Joseph E. Pvt.;
Steele, Frank S. Pvt.;
Taylor, Clarence Pvt.;
Thigpen, Otho Y. Pvt.;
Thompson, Horace Sgt.;
Thompson W. H. Sgt;
Tilson, Aaron A. Corp.;
Ware, Lamar M. 2Lt.;
Westgate, Charles E. Pvt.;
Whitmore, Charles L. Pvt.;
Whitworth, Thomas J. Sgt.;
Wingerson, Carl 2Lt.;
Winn, Rowland W. Pvt.;
Wittman, Arthur G. Sgt.; >
Womack, Percy Pvt.;
Word, Claude G. Pvt;
Wren, Edward R. 2Lt.;
Wren, Harmon E. Pvt.
Seminoles
Mexican War
Streamer without inscription
Civil War (Confederate service)
First Manassas
Peninsula
Second Manassas
Sharpsburg
Fredericksburg
Chancellorsville
Gettysburg
Chickamauga
Wilderness
Spotsylvania
Cold Harbor
Petersburg
Appomattox
World War I
Champagne-Marne
Aisne-Marne
Meuse-Argonne
St. Mihiel
Lorraine 1918
Champagne 1918
World War II
New Guinea (with arrowhead)
Western Pacific (with arrowhead)
Southern Philippines
Headquarters Company (Talladega), 1st Battalion, additionally entitled to:
World War II - AP
Central Burma
India-Burma
REFERENCES:
