Sidewalks of New York

After the 1st Division’s return to the US in September 1919, moved to its first stateside duty station at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. It remained there recruiting, training, and occasionally conducting riot control at miners’ strikes until the summer of 1920 when it was transferred to Camp Dix, New Jersey. Two years later, the division was transferred once again, but this time, the brigades, regiments, and smaller units were sent to garrison small posts all over the northeastern US. The 16th Infantry was posted to Fort Jay, New York, on Governors Island in the middle of New York harbor. The regiment would remain there until 1941, during which time it became known as, “New York’s Own” and adopted as its regimental song, “The Sidewalks of New York.”

  • A panorama view of Camp Zachary Taylor, KY. The Regiment served at Camp Taylor near Louisville during 1919-1920.

  • The 16th Infantry Regiment became “New York’s Own.” It was a very popular addtion to the various ceremonies and parades held in Gotham throughout the year.

  • The units of the 1st Division were transferred to various posts in the eastern seaboard states of the United States in mid-1922. The headquarters and 2 battalions of the regiment were ordered here to Governors Island. The island also served as the Headquarters of the Second Corps Area and the Atlantic Branch of the US Disciplinary Barracks (located in Castle William, the circular structure in the right foreground).

  • Fort Jay, circa 1925. The 1st and 2nd Battalions were billeted in the old coast artillery fortifications of Fort Jay in the foreground. The 3rd Battalion was posted to Fort Wadsworth, NY, across the harbor on the south south of The Narrows.

  • A good aerial view of Fort Jay showing the cramped environment of the fort’s interior. Soisson Dock is in the background and the sallyport on the right.

  • The eastern sallyport leading into Fort Jay. This is the view seen by the members of the regiment as they marched in to occupy Fort Jay in 1922 as their first permanent barracks since 1914.

  • Part of the interior of Fort Jay showing a block of barracks which were built into the walls of the fort.

  • Officer’s Row on Governors Island looking toward the Manhattan skyline.

  • St. Cornelius Chapel was a primary house of worship for the 16th Infantry while it was stationed on Governors Island. Note the numerous retired regimental colors hanging in the sanctuary. It was here that the regiment retired and displayed its World War I colors in January 1924.

  • Another view of St. Cornelius Chapel.

  • The Manhattan skyline from Governors Island. This is the alluring view that greeted the regiment’s sentries every night in the 1920s and 1930s.

  • A daytime view of New York from Fort Jay.

  • Companies A, B, and E would take turns occupying Fort Wood on Bedloe’s Island between 1922-1925 due to a shortage of barracks space at Fort Jay.

  • Another view of Fort Wood.

  • In 1923, regimental commander Colonel Charles Gerhardt designated the child silent film star Diana Serra Carey, aka “Baby Peggy” as the first “Daughter of the Regiment.” Miss Carey was visiting New York for her birthday and to promote one of her new films. Here, Colonel Gerhardt has just pinned Baby Peggy with one of the new regimental distinctive insignias (i.e., crest).

  • Here is an image of “Baby Peggy,” soon after Colonel Gerhardt pinned the regiment’s distinctive insignia to her scarf.

  • Colonel Gerhardt holds the Second Corps Area 1st Place Track and Field Trophy which had just been awarded to the 16th Infantry for 1924.

  • Colonel Gerhardt and NYC Commissioner Brent officially open the 1924 recruiting drive in New York City.

  • The 16th Infantry Regiment traveled to Washington, DC, to help dedicate the 1st Division monument there on 4 October 1924. The impressive monument was dedicated to the over 3,000 comrades of the Big Red One who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. Since then, the monument has been updated with the names of the division’s dead from all other conflicts and members gather there every Memorial and Veterans Day to remember them.

  • A heavy machine gun and caisson ready for inspection at Fort Jay, NY, circa 1926.

  • The wagons of the regiment’s Service Company on a rest halt, en route to Camp Dix. Late every spring, the regiment journeyed, mostly by marching, from New York City to Camp (later Fort) Dix, New Jersey. There they would conduct their annual weapons qualification and field training, as well as assist the training of Army Reservists, R.O.T.C. Cadets, and C.M.T.C. candiates.

  • An ad from a 1926 issue of the US Army Recruiting News extolling the virtues of service with the 16th Infantry at Fort Jay.

  • 1SG George Hickman was a distinguished veteran of the 16th Infantry having served with the regiment in World War I and after. Here he is pictured with mascot, Corporal Rags, circa 1928.

  • The 16th Infantry Rifle Team at Fort Jay, September 1929.

  • The Regimental Color Guard. Note the Statue of Liberty in the distance.

  • B Company, the Band, and the Regimental Color Guard prepare for parade at Governors Island, circa 1935.

  • A panorama view of Governors Island. Note the 16th Infantry Regiment on parade on Fléville Field.

  • Secretary of War George Dern arrives at Soissons Dock, Governors Island, sometime in 1934.

  • Secretary Dern and Colonel Albert S. Williams, commander of the 16th Infantry at Fort Jay.

  • The 1st Battalion adjutant reads the orders of the day at formation circa 1938.

  • An early view of New Barracks. Judging from the uniform style and the lack of sidewalks and trees, this view must be about 1929 (NPS).

  • The billeting of the regiment in Fort Jay was uncomfortable and cramp. The Army saw fit to acquire funds to build a new barracks on Governors Island for the entire regiment. The result was this, the aptly named “New Barracks.” The barracks opened in 1929 and the 3rd Battalion moved over from Fort Wadsworth at that time to join the rest of the command.

  • An M-1910 Morser 210mm field gun next to the New Barracks at Governors Island. This gun was brought back from World War I as a war trophy.

  • Another view of the Morser 210 mm field gun. The post hospital is the building in the background.

  • A company conducts drill in front of New Barracks in the snow.

  • New Barracks in 1939.

  • 16th Infantry machine gun teams put on a demonstration in front of the New Barracks about 1936.

  • French 75mm field guns on display near the ordnance shops at Fort Jay.

  • A company bugler practices “Church Call” in preparation for an outdoor Easter Mass in the spring of 1938. Note the regimental coat of arms being used as the tabard for the bugle.

  • B Company marches to the parade field in the spring of 1938. The 16th Infantry, like most regiments of this period, was very much a “spit and polish” outfit. Note the appearance and step of these displined Regulars.

  • The home of the 16th Infantry Medical Detachment at the New Barracks in 1939.

  • A field inspection on Gettysburg Field at Fort Jay.

  • A 16th Infantry medic is about to stand inspection.

  • The Service Company is lined up for a general inspection near the New Barracks, circa 1939.

  • These strac looking troops are part of the Honor Company of hand-picked men from the regiment to garrison Camp George Washington at the New York World’s Fair. The men still carry the 1903 Springfield rifle, but they will soon swap them for M-1s and begin an ever increasing training tempo. Little do they know that the days of spit and polish at Fort Jay are coming to an end and they will soon be preparing for war in earnest.

  • The regiment formed an Honor Company to perform drills and demostrations at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. Here, the company performs a retreat ceremony at the Court of Peace. Note that the troops are about the same height and build.

  • The Honor Company conducting drill in preparation for the New York World’s Fair.

  • The Honor Company at “Trail Arms.”

  • The regimental color guard on parade.

  • The 16th Infantry Regiment drawn up for a photo on Fléville Field, Governors Island.

  • The US Army Transport Republic carried the 16th Infantry from Brooklyn to Charleston, SC, in November 1939. The regiment was en route to Fort Benning for six months of training as a “triangular” division.