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    A short history of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, US Army, from 1812 to 1945, printed 1945 in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia.

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    A short history of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, US Army, from 1812 to 1945, printed 1945 in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Flag for inappropriate content
    308 views20 pages

    The Twenty Third United States Infantry 1812-1945

    Uploaded by

    MenOfThe2ID
    A short history of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, US Army, from 1812 to 1945, printed 1945 in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 20
    pS Un tates COAT OF ARMS (OF THE TWENTY TRIRD U, 8. INFANTRY ‘The Regimental Crest of the Twenty Third In- fantry is symbolized by a shield with the colors white and blue, Service in Alaska is portrayed by the fotem pole with the Russian bear, the old ow- nner, and the American eagle, the new owner, with fa plate between them denoting the feast given the ‘eagle by the bear. The totem pole is encircled by the French Fourragere, a unit decoration presented the Regiment for service during the First World War, ‘The Maltese Cross represents the Civil War: Fitth Corps with which the 23d Infantry served. the Army of the Potomac. Philippine service noted by the sea lion of the Pacific, ‘The distinction of being the first American Re- fgiment to circumnavigate the globe 1s/Andicated at the base of the shield by a globe and two steam ships. World War I service and” commemoration of ‘the Mont Blanc campaign of 0 er, 1918, {s shown by the outline on the lower Half of the shield. ‘The Regiment's We Serves. oO COLONEL JAY B, LOVLESS From the uncertain days in Normandy to V-E Day, the 234 Regiment has been skill- fully and courageously led by its commander, Colonel Jay B. Loviess. A native Texan, Colonel Lovless was grad- 1 uated from the University of Montana in 1925, Commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry in 1926, he has served in numerous U. S. posts and in Hawaii and the Philippines. He was graduated from the Infantry School in 1935 and the Command and General Staff ‘School in 1940, ‘A veteran of the 2nd Division since 2nd of February, 1940, Colonel Lovless has served in the three Regiments of the Division, and commanded two of them. Formerly a mem- ber of the Division General Staff, the Colo- nel wears the Legion of Merit, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, French Legion of Honor, French Croix de Guerre and the Order of the Surovov, a reoonkat Rus- sian decoration. 4 THE COLONEL'S MESSAGE ‘TO: OFFICERS AND MEN OF RCT 25: From D plus 2% V-E Day, this combat team has advarieed, 1,665 miles against a clever and vicious enemy, has taken 17,253 prisoners, thas never-once been driven from ground once gained, has constantly defeated all enemy units in. its path. No combat team in the ETO has a better record of thoroughness, skill and never~ ending success. Th is most fitting now, on the completion of the war in Europe, that full tribute be paid to all present and former members of this combat team. Tt truly has been a team, magnificent in ever-willing, co-operative, eager, intelligent team- work that has brought success repeatedly and without fail. Bitter, dogged fighting against every imag- ineable adverse combination of terrain, weather and enemy forces has resulted in thinning the numbers of company and battery rosters. Always, 3 however, the ranks have been filled and the baton passed to capable new hands. ‘Some have remained on the team throughout the war in Burope. Many have fallen bravely. Many have joined the team along the way as reinforcements, quickly to become veterans. In every action, however, teamwork has been improved, and the smooth efficiency of the fighting machine has been more deadly in conquering the enemy. Lam deeply and humbly proud to be your commander. Each one of you, I know, is justly proud of your own fine part played on the team and of the splendid feats of your comrades and each of our component units, Tinovbcyou all join, me in grosisude 4800 we have finished this chapter of the war with such honor and glory. If we are called. upon to repeat our performance on other battlefields, we shall be ready. 6@ Gp Cartas Coot, 24 af, Commanding CHAPTER I As symbolized by its Regimental Crest, the Twenty Third United States Infantry has a long and honorable heritage, with a battle- ground covering the circumference of the globe. It is a proud Regiment. Its sons, whose lives were a part of that immortal record, leave an enviable mark for those to come. The Twenty Third Infantry was first or- ganized by Act of Congress on 26 June, 1812. ‘The Regiment took part in thirteen battles and skirmishes during the War of 1812, inclu- ding Sacketts Harbor, Lundy's Lane and Fort 5 Eire. In 1815, elements of the Regiment, along with other units, were consolidated to form ‘the present 2nd Infantry. The Regiment then ceased to exist until after the Civil War, when the 2nd Bn, of the 14th Infantry was redesig- nated as the Twenty Third Infantry. This Battalion had been organized in 1862, and served throughout the Civil War, amassing honors that are indicated by 11 of the stream~ ers flying from the pikehead of the Regi- mental colors. . Congress authorized the present day 23d Infantry, effective 21 September, 1866. ‘Until the Spanish-American War of 1898, the Regiment alternated periods of activity in the Indian Wars serving in the Northwest, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico anid Michigan. Company E served as a ‘garrison for the newly purchased Alaskan’territory from 1869 to 1870. . ‘At the outbreak of the Spanish-American ‘War, the Regiment sailed from San Francisco ‘6 4 to the Philippine Islands, It arrived in July, 1898, in time to assist, in the capture of Ma- nila, Traveling throbgh the Suez Canal, it completely cireurnnavigated the globe and returned nore, States in 1901, A return trip to the Philippines in 1903-05, found thé Regiment in several punitive expe- ditions against the Moros, including the in- ‘famous Datto Ali. ‘A third tour in the Philippines came in 1908-10, This was followed by a period at ‘Texas City where it was organized as a part of the 2nd Division. CHAPTER IL ‘The Regiment sailed for France in Sep- tember, 1917, arriving at St. Nazaire. It moved to the vicinity of St. Thiebault\where in- tensive training was begun immediately. The ‘Twenty Third Infantry occupied a sub-sector near Rangiores on 17 Mar¢h, 1918, and re- mained in that defensive area until May. In May, when the German threat to Paris became imminent inthe Chateau Thierry area, the Regiment, along with other Divisi- onal units, was rished up to the strategic Paris-Metz Road, where the advancing enemy ‘was engaged. This open warfare was entirely new, a8 action in the previous months had been largely trench warfare. The Regiment immediately counter-attacked and stopped the German drive in its sector. Losses were great, but the action steadied the Allied line from Switzerland to the sea. It proved the fiber of American troops, who never before had been used to check an enemy drive of that scale. ‘On 18 July, 1918, Marshal Foch hurled all his best divisions against the west side of the German positions at Soissons. Among them was the 2nd Division with the 23d Infantry. ‘The Regiment made a spectacular sweep, marching and fighting for three days and nights, undergoing untold hardships. The re- 9 sults were astounding. ‘The German lines were penetrated to.a5 mile depth and thous- ands of prisoners were captured. This drive started the German retreat which ended in ‘the signing of the Armistice. Until September, 1918, the Regiment and. Division fought under British and French higher commanders. In September an Amer- ican Army was formed and trained. It was used to attack the St. Mihiel salient on 12 September with the 2nd Division as a shock unit, and the 23d Infantry as a lead Regi- ment, The Germans were driven from ground held for four years, the Division taking ob- jectives in one day that were assigned for two and three days later. The last and hardest struggle ofthe war came in October and ended on: November. This was the Meuse-Argonne offensive, launched on 4 October. The Division was in- itially attached to the French 4th Army. The right flank of the Mont Blane Ridge was tak- 10 ‘en, freeing the city. of Rheims and opening an avenue for attack onthe Argonne Forest. Reverting to the Anierican 1st Army, the 23d Infantry attacked-the Argonne Forest from the east on 8 November, where one of the most astounding maneuvers of the war was executed. With German speaking soldiers leading, the Regiment marched in a column of squads under cover of darkness straight through the German lines. The leaders ex- plained to the Germans that it was a regi- ment being relieved. The 9th Infantry did likewise on the right flank, and just before dawn, the two Regiments deployed and for- med a line in the rear of the German posi- tions, For three nights the march was continued, and after five days and nights of continuous fighting and marching, the Regiment was or- dered to halt. In one week the Germans were defeated, ‘The Regiment followed the Germans to u the West Bank of the Rhine and the town of ‘Vallendar. For its part in World ‘War I, the Twenty ‘Third won signal honors. For having been cited twice in Orders of the French Army, it has the privelege of wearing the French Fourragere. This distinctive decoration is still ‘a part of the uniform worm by members of the Regiment. ‘The Twenty Third Infantry returned’ to the United States on 4 August, 1919, and took part in the 2nd Division parade in New York. It then entrained for Camp Travis, Texas (ater Fort Sam Houston), where it remained for 23 years, 2 CHAPTER UE From 1937 to 1942, the 23d Infantry, as a part of the 2nd Division, pioneered in the development of the triangular infantry divi- sion and in perfection of airborne infantry tactics an logistics. Also, during 1941 and 1942, the 23d Infantry furnished three tull as regimental cadres for newly activated units and numerous smaller cadres. On 20 November, 1942, the 2nd Division moved to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, where it again pioneered, this time participating in the first large scale winter training program and maneuvers ever conducted in the United States Army. Twenty Third Infantrymen on skiis and snowshoes operated in deep snow at temperatures as low 45 degrees below zero. On 27 September, 1943, the Regiment left Camp McCoy with the 2nd Infantry Division, sailing from New York on 8 October, 1943, and arriving in Northern Ireland on 20 Oc- tober. During the winter and carly spring the Regiment engaged in intensive training on the bleak Irish moors, in preparation for the invasion of France, ¢ On 16 April, 1944, the Regiment sailed to South Wales, where final preparations for the invasion were completed, including mov- ing to staging areas at various British “ Channel ports. On 8 June, 1944, the Twenty ‘Third Infantry landed on Omaha Beach with the first invasion forées. In slow, painful hedgerow fighting, the Re- giment inched its way forward day after day against hard fighting enemy paratroop ele~ ments. St) Georges d'Elle, Hill 192 (which commanded St. Lo), St. Jean des Baisants, Bfouivy, Vire, Truttemer le Grand and Tinche- Dray were scenes of bitter fighting up to Au- ‘gust when the organized German resistance in Normandy collapsed. A short respite, the first one up to that time, was interrupted by an overnight motor march of 210 miles to Brest, From 21 August to 19 September the Regiment battled the 2nd German Paratroop Division which fanatically defended the sur- rounding hills and villages. Knowing that the fortress seaport, which housed German U~ boats, was greatly needed by the Allies for the purpose of establishing supply routes into France, Hitler ordered the garrison to hold 18 for at least 90 days. However, Brest, the scene of some of the most savage and bitter street fighting of the war, fell in 39 days. Formal Gapitulation of the Fortress to the 2nd Divi- sion occured on 18 September, 1944. Its hard- driving leader, General Herman B. Rameke, ‘was captured the following day on the near- by Crozon Peninsula. Another rapid motor and train move of ‘720 miles on 30 September, 1944, saw the 23d Infantry crossing France and Belgium to new battle positions on the German border. De- fensive positions were taken up along the Siegfried Line just north of Luxemburg. The first ceremony of American troops on German soil was a 23d Infantry parade in No- vember, south of St. Vith. Major General W. M, Robertson, Divisional Commander, pres ented decorations for heroism ta officers and men of the Regiment. On 12-December, the Regiment moved 30 miles north to the vicin-~ ity of Sourbrodt, Belgium. 16 ‘The German break-through on 16 Decem- ber found all three battalions of the 23d In- fantry fighting savagely in the line. The failure of. the enemy to accomplish a pene- tration in the division sector, despite repeat- ed tank.and strong infantry attacks, upset eh entire German plan of action to reach sut off the vital supply nets at Liege. (a8 Regiment stopped attack after bloody “attack. This action was summed up by General Courtney Hodges, Commanding General of the Ist Army, who declared, >What the 2nd Division has done in the last four days will live forever in the history of the United States Army.« During the period of 13 to 23 Jan. while attached to the First Division, the Regiment fought under the most severe climatic con- ditions, It spearheaded a drive that broke the determined enemy resistance in the vital On- denval-Iveldingen Pass to clear the way for 1 [the Rovte oF 23% US. INFANTRY. | 17ApR'44 to 7May’45: armored thrusts into St. Vith, Belgium. Sleet, rain and bitter cold froze the men’s clothing to their bodies as they struggled through waist-deep snow over rough terrain. The enemy forces, principally the 8h Regiment, 8rd Panzer Division, were decimated. So heavy were enemy losses in men and material that the Sth Regiment ceased to exist as a fighting force. ‘Soon after, the 23d Infantry Regiment was again on the offensive in the Siegfried Line, pushing through the Schleiden Forest to reach the vitally important Roer River dams, Early in March the Regiment drove to the Rhine. The crossing was made on the 23d of March in the vicinity of Niederbreisig, five miles south of the famed Remagen bridge. From this point, mounted:on tanks and tank destroyers, infantrymen of the 23d made a spectacular 365 mile drive in 23 days to the vicinity of industrialized Merseburg, Germany, just west of Leipzig. Thousands of 20 Ws, hundreds of towns and an American PW camp were captured im this dash, a record seldom equalled elsewhere in military annals. In the face of(direct fire from over 200 guns of 88 and” 128mm calibre, the 23d doughboys cleared one of Germany's most concentrated flak areas. Sweeping on they entered Leipzig, the fifth largest of German citieS: The assault on Leipzig was determi- ned and co-ordinated, with four bridge-cross- ings being made simultaneously. In a few hours the attack had reached its objective and the city had fallen. The next advance was halted at the Mulde River, the limit of U.S. advance. There the Regiment awaited contact with the Russian Army. ‘A move was made south to the’ Czecho- slovakian border, and east into Pilsen where the population greeted the dougboys with wild enthusiasm. This was a fitting climax to the long hard months of struggle in the greatest of all wars. a Here the biography of a great Regiment pauses on V-E Day, 8 May, 1945. Its record speaks for itself, During the ETO War, more than 1,665 miles have been covered, over 30,000 PWs were taken, 13,000 of which were hospitalized, and 217 days were'spent in con- tinuous combat, a record equalled by no other division in the European Theater of Operations. ‘Our fallen comrades have not died in vain. ‘Their memory and fighting spirit will never be forgotten. If the call to arms should sound again the 23d Infantry will be ready to an- swer with the same deeds that helped finish ‘this war. 2 Ey PERSONALITIES OF THE 23D ‘Sgt. John J. McVeigh, Co. H., was award- ed the Congressional Medal of Honor post- humously for his actions at Brest. He dis- tinguished himself conspicuously by gallan- try at thé risk of his own life above and beyond’ the call of duty, ‘Sgt. McVeigh, heedless of the tremendous volume of small arms and flak fire directed toward him, stood up in full view of the enemy and directed the fire of his squad un- til his position was overrun. He then drew his trench knife, his only weapon since his ammunition was expended, and charged the enemy. He killed one German and was ad- vaneing on the others when he was shot down. The distinction of being the only living member of the 2nd Division holding the Con- gressional Medal of Honor is reserved for Sgt. ‘Jose M. Lopez, Co. M machine gunner, who 3 distinguished himself by gallantry and in- trepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in the Krinkelter Wald area on 17 December, 1944. Firing more than five thousand rounds of ammunition, Sgt. Lopez, singlehanded, sucessfully beat off an enemy attack of ap- proximately 100 infantrymen, disregarding a ‘Mark VI tank firing continuous rounds from an 88mm gun, thus enabling his own and another company to withdra'y when both po- sitions were nearly enveloped. During the ac- tion, Sgt. Lopez was compelled to shift his firing positions and did so, carrying his heavy machine gun unaided. He was alone and in the face of direct fire thoughout theventire mission. e As this book goes to press\a recommen- dation for the Congressional Medal of Honor is pending award to Pfc, Richard E. Cowan, M Co, machine gurmer reported missing in 4 action, who di himself conspicu- ously by gallantry andititrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 17 December, 1944, in the Krinkelter Wald area, re ‘The Distinguished Service Cross, an award Pteséiited for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy, has been awarded the fol- towing present and former members of the Regiment: Lt. Col. John M. Hightower, for- mer Ist Bn, Commander, for action near Hunninger, Belgium; Lt. Col. Raymond B. Marlin, former 2nd Bn. Commander, for action at Notre Dame de'Bllle, France; Capt, John M. Stephens, Jr, Co.’G, for action at Ondenval, Belgium; Ist Lt. Marvin H. Prinds, Co. C, posthumously, for action during the attack ‘on Ondenval, Belgium; Capt. (then Ist Lt.) George B. Mitchell, Co. K, for action near Berigny — St. Lo highway, France; 2nd Lt, Ewell L. Smith, Jr., Co. K, for action during 3 the assault on le Bois de la Roche, France; Ast Lt. Samuel J. Murray, Co. A, for action in the vicinity of Ondenval, Belgium; S/Sgt. Galyn Clay, Co. K, for action near le Bois de Ia Roche, France; Pfc. Byron B. Dickinson, Co. L, for action near St. Georges d’'Elle, France; and Pfc. Richard Von Patton, Co. B, for action in the vicinity of Vieurville, France. Recommendations, pending award, for ‘the Distinguish Service Cross have been made for Lt. Col. Paul V. Tuttle, Jr, 3d Bn. Commander, for action at Krinkelter Wald, Belgium; Capt. Keith G. Van Neste, HQ Co, posthumously, for action at Dorsteivitz, Ger- many; $/Sgt. Ernest L. Barber, Co. Befor ac- tion at Leipzig, Germany; Pfc. George Heilig, Co. L, for action at St. Georgesd'Elle, France; Pfe. Leroy S. Law, Co. B, posthumously, for action at Leipzig, Germany; and Pic. Alexander Maluchinik, C6. B, posthumously, for action at Leipzig, Germany. 6 HOSTER OF REGIMENTAL AND BATTALION STAFFS, COMPANY COMMANDERS AND 1ST SERGEANTS AS OF V-E DAY, 1945 Commanding Offiger Colonel Jay B. Lovie Executive Offlest Lt, Col. John H. Chiles S41 . Capt. James T. Noton 82 Major Raymond W. Laycock sa) Major Jimmie E, Anderson Asst 5-3 Capt. Howard C, Alphson S4 ‘Maj. Joseph E. Vincent, Jr. S5 Capt, O. Charles Huber Regimental Surgeon Major Martin. Israel Liason Officers 4st Lt. Long H. Goffigon ist Lt, Ellis L. Fuller Ast Lt. Edward W. Keough MM/Sgt. Joseph B. Whitfield AST BATTALION Commanding Officer Maj. Morris B, Montgomery Executive Officer Capt. William M. Blatt Sergeant Major s2 Ast Et, Charles Church sa Capt. Frank W. Luchowsl s4 Ast Lt, Jolm F. Ball Surgeon Capt. John G. Wafer, Jr. Bn. Set. Maj ‘T/Sgt. Loraine W. Harris, n ‘Cannon Co. Capt. Charles F. Baker 2ND BATTALION ‘T/SstNathan L. Roberts Commanding Officer Lt. Col. William’A. Smith Antitank Co, Capt. Roy G. McCracken Executive Officer Maj. Vern L. Joseph OMB Sat. Eldrige . Harber Bs Ant Tt Ceceee are HQ Co. dst Bay) Capt, John W. Fornaro ES Capt, Herbert C. Byrd ing Ist Sgt, Gilbert E, Bechner 4 1st Lt Robert ©. Goforth A eee 4 ent Raymehd Destth, 31 aes Jee Hare Be a Ast Sgt. Paul W. Heuback SRD BATTALION Company B Ist Lt. Wilfred H. Drath Commanding Ottieer Maj, Martin, Coopersmith xs {st Sut. Thomas C. Blac Brecutive Officer Capt, Willa E. Dugan ‘company © lot Lt, Rdward R. Carmody sa eet pore cen a 1st Sel Gilbert BM Levisay ‘S-3 Capt. Kay K. Cowan ’ we Company D- Capt. Arthur P, Tate S-4 Ast Lt. John J. Ford Ast Sgt, Dick G. Moore Bn. Sit Ma}, 1Vs4. John J. Gerhatl HQ.Co.2ndBa, Capt. Henry 1, Calder, Jr ¢ Ist Set, Donald A. Musa COMPANY COMMANDERS AND FIRST” SERGEANTS ‘Company E Capt. Daniel J, Manning, Jr. is or es Dy Tet Sit Clarence Unberger company ¥ Ist Lt, John M. Calhoun Headquarters Co, Capt:Miximlion A. Drucke ee eerecess {stSit. Lee Barnett % a ‘Company G Ast Lt, Laurice L. Loberg Service Co, ‘Cant. Joe A. Dickie a ee ee Ist Sel dear MeCoury ‘ Company #1 HQ Co. 3rd Bn. Company 1 Company Company 1. ‘Company Mt Capt. John W. MeCiain FIELD OFFICERS SINCE D-DAY Mee Hoe NOT PRESENT V-E DAY Ast Lt, John J. Morettt x Ist Sgt Carl R, Burelson REGIMENTAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Ast Lt, David A. Poucher r ‘T/sgt. Alvin C, Gandy

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