World War I
The regiment’s performance in the Philippines and in Mexico made such a favorable impression on General Pershing that he personally chose it to be one of four infantry regiments assigned to the new 1st Division, soon to become known as the “Big Red One.” Sailing from Hoboken, New Jersey, the 16th Infantry Regiment landed at St. Nazaire, France, near the end of June 1917 as one of the first regiments to arrive on French soil.
The 16th Infantry Regiment, began training in July 1917 in the Gondrecourt area with the French 47th Division, Chasseaurs d’Alpines, nicknamed the “Blue Devils.” On 3 November 1917, while occupying a section of trenches near Bathlémont, the 16th Infantry became the first U.S. regiment to fight and suffer casualties in the trenches during World War I when it repelled a German night raid. In the months that followed, the 16th Infantry would sustain even more casualties in defensive battles in eastern France at Ansauville, Cantigny, and Coullemelle. The regiment’s first major attack was made during the bloody three-day drive near Soissons in July 1918. Along with the rest of the Big Red One, it relentlessly attacked until the German rail line that supplied their front line troops was severed forcing a major withdrawal of the enemy’s forces.
The regiment also participated in the US First Army’s huge offensive to reduce the St. Mihiel salient in September. Arguably the regiment’s most gallant action was the grueling drive that liberated the little village of Fléville in the Argonne forest region on 4 October 1918. This feat was significant in that the 16th Infantry was the only regiment in the entire First U.S. Army to take its main objective on the first day of the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. The 16th Infantry also participated in the 1st Division’s final drive of the war when the division attacked to seize the city of Sedan. Though the division was stopped short of that objective by international politics, the verve and vigor of that drive demonstrated the regiment lived up to the division’s new motto, “No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great—Duty First!”
The regiment arrived at St. Nazaire, France, on 26 June 1917.
The Regimental Band performs at Reuilly Barracks in Paris, 3 July 1918.
The regimental color guard prepares to march through Paris, 4 July 1917. The French government requested a contingent of US troops to march through Paris on the 4th of July in order to bolster French morale.
Another view of the regimental color guard before parading through the streets of Paris, 4 July 1917.
The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry was selected to perform the parade.
The 16th Infantry Color Guard marching in the Paris Parade, 4 July 1918.
Pershing was reluctant to have any of his troops to march through Paris because he was afraid that they would not put in a creditable performance.
The colors and the band led the 2nd Battalion on the 5 mile march to Picpus Cemetery.
The crowds were wildly enthusiastic abot the American troops. The French waved, cried, shouted, and flung flowers at their new found heroes. They didn’t notive if the men were in step or not.
Pershing and LTC Stanton made a few remarks to the gathered French multitudes at Picpus cemetery where a US Revolutionary War hero, the Maquis de Lafayette, was buried. Stanton uttered the most memorable line: “Lafayette, we are here!”
On conclusion of Pershing’s remarks, the battalion started the long march back to its billeting area in Paris.
Taking a break at Dimanche. On arrival, there were no barracks for the troops, so the men of the 16th were billeted in barns, homes, and other outbuildings.
Bayonet training at Gondrecourt, 30 July 1917. Note that the men still wear campaign hats and retain the look of “green” soldiers.
Another view of the training Gondrecourt in late July 1917.
At Gondrecourt, the French 47th Chasseurs Regiment trained the men of the 16th Infantry (note the Poilu in center). Here they participate in a live fire exercise.
Troops rest between battloe drills at Gondrecourt. The men here are beginning to look like combat soldiers.
It was not all work and no play at Gondrecourt. These men found a way to entertain themselves only ten minutes after being paid on 22 October 1917.
Enright, Gresham, and Hay were the first three members of the AEF killed in action during World War I. They were killed during a trench raid on 3 November 1917.
The burial ceremony held for Enright, Gresham, and Hay at Bathlemont, France, November 1917.
These are most of the 16th Infantrymen captured during the trench raid at Bathelemont on 3 November 1917.
Here, German troops display the men and equipment captured in the trench raid.
A German officer questions several 16th Infantrymen.
Troops of the 3rd Battalion in the trenches at Gypse Hill near Bathelemont, 19 November 1917.
In the line at Ansauville, France, in January 1918. Ansauville was an active sector and the regiment first experienced true trench warfare here for the first time.
Soldiers of L Company preparing defensive positions and barbed wire obstacles near Hermitage, France.
Now blooded veterans, the troops of the 16th Infantry pass in review for Secretary of War Newton D. Baker at Gondrecourt, 20 March 1918.
Captain Arthur F. Moseley, commander of G Company. Moseley served in the Boer War with the British Army and in Cuba. He was killed in action 5 July 1918 at the age of 40.
A detachment of 16th Infantrymen at the ration break point near Pleissy, France, on 16 July 1918, just before the great battle at Soissons.
Troops of the 16th Infantry rest near Berzy le Sec, France, 17 Jul 1918, the day before the big attack at Soissons.
Regimental reserve troops of the 3rd Battalion resting at Couvres-et-Vaisery, France , on 18 July 1918. They would soon be called forward to advance due to the heavy casualties taken by the regiment.
Troops of the 2nd Battalion digging in behind a railroad embankment just north of Chaudon at the end of the first day’s attack at Soissons, 18 July 1918. Soisson would prove to be the regiment’s bloodiest battle in World War I.
Lieutenant Colonel John M. Craig, DSC, XO, 16th Infantry, May-July 1918. Craig was killed in action at Soissons on 21 July 1918.
Captain Cyril F. Carder commander of D Company, 16th Infantry at Soissons. He posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroic actions in 21 July 1918.
16th Infantrymen jump off on the advance to pinch off the St. Mihiel salient on 12 September 1918.
Tired doughs after the successful St. Mihiel advance.
A column of 16th Infantry soldiers trudge toward a bivouac site near St. Baussant, France, after their successful efforts to help erase the St. Mihiel bulge, 13 September 1918.
Soldiers of the Regiment crowd around a captured piano in Nonsard, France, shortly after the St. Mihiel Offensive, 13 September 1918.
Generals Pershing and 1st Division CG, Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall arrive at Vertuzey, France, to visit the 16th Infantry, 17 September 1918. Pershing visited to tell the men of the 1st Division of his pride in their efforts at Soissons and St. Mihiel.
Here Pershing and Summerall inspect the 1st Battalion at Vertuzy. Pershing told he would soon call on them again.
This is the Exermont Ravine looking generally from west to east. The Regiment would have advanced from right to left over the high ground toward Fléville on 4 October 1918.
The hill mass to the front is the ridgeline overlooking the town of Fléville (which is located in the low ground just over the ridge) as seen from the south looking north. The main defenses of the regiment were set up along this line from 4 to 10 October 1918.
Major Herbert C. Fooks, commander, 3rd Battalion, Aug-Sep 18. Fooks commanded Supply and C Companies early in the war. He was wounded in action in the attack on Fléville, 4 October 1918.
The main road through Fleville looking south to north. The church is on a hill to the east (right).
The church in Fleville looking from south to north from the vicinity of the cemetery. Lead elements of the regiment would have entered the town at about this point on 4 October 1918.
Another view of Fléville after its capture by the 16th Infantry. These are troops of the 6th Field Artillery preparing to move their guns into position near the town, 12 October 1918.
A modern view of the main street in Fleville.
Major Charles W. Ryder, Commander, DSC, 1st Battalion, Sep-Dec 1918. Ryder led the 1st Battalion in the successful attack on Hill 272 on 9 October 1918. In WWII he commanded the 34th Infantry Division in Europe and the IX Corps in the Pacific.
This monument was placed on Hill 240 by men of the regiment after it was captured during the fighting there on 9 October 1918.
A column of the 16th Infantry marching through Buzancy en route to attack Sedan 3 November 1918.
Men of the 16th Infantry rush into Thelonne under shellfire during the advance on Sedan, 7 November 1918.
16th Infantry Doughboys in Thelonne, France. The old woman approached these soldiers to express her appreciation for liberating the village.
French refugees watch the regiment march through the Bois de Boliers near Sedan 9 November 1918.
The 16th Infantry withdraws from the Sedan area, 12 November 1918 and marches east to Germany for occupation duty in the vicinity of the Coblenz Bridgehead.
Having marched east through the Moselle Valley, the victorious Doughboys of the 16th Infantry prepare to enter hard billets in Coblenz, Germany, 11 December 1918.
Occupation duty. Captain Earl Almon, commander M Company, reads the order of the day to the mayor and town crier of Leuterod, Germany 12 January 1919.
General Pershing decorates the colors of the 16th Infantry at Neuweid, Germany, 3 August 1919.
The 16th Infantry parades in New York City 10 September 1919.
The 16th Infantry marches through the Victory Arch in New York City, 10 September 1919
After parading through Washington, DC on 17 September 1919, the regiment gathered for this photo in front of the US capitol building.
