Leaders and Men
The leaders and soldiers of the 16th Infantry in World War II were, like most combat infantry regiments, a very tightly nit team of warriors. Two factors that made the 16th Infantry somewhat different from other units, however, were the unusually high number of leaders and men who remained with the regiment throughout the war and the regiment’s service as an amphibious assault regiment. Many men of the 16th Infantry were eligible to return home on points by the end of the Sicily Campaign, yet a large number remained with the regiment all the way through to the end of the war in Europe in May 1945. Many of those, including officers, had been with the 16th Infantry since its time on Governors Island prior to 1941. The other factor was that the 16th Infantry was the only regiment in the 1st Infantry Division that served as an assault regiment for all three of the Big Red One‘s amphibious operations. This gallery showcases the many memorable leaders and soldiers who made the 16th Infantry such an outstanding regiment and combat team during World War II.
Regimental and Battalion Leaders
In front of the Post Hotel, Franzensbad, Czechoslovakia, May 1945. The men are (l to r): Captain Lincoln D. Fish, S1; Major Tegtmeyer; Colonel Gibb; Lieutenant Colonel Ed Driscoll, C.O., 1st Battalion; Major Fred W. Hall, S2; Chaplain (Captain) Lawrence Deery; Major Eston T. White, S3; Major Thomas P. McKoan, S4