Ameical Div. 1:20th

• Formation and Nickname: The 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment (1/20th), was part of the 11th Infantry Brigade, assigned to the 23rd Infantry Division, better known as the Americal Division. • Americal Division Origins: The division’s name, “Americal,” is a contraction of “America” and “New Caledonia,” referencing its World War II formation in New Caledonia in 1942. • Vietnam War Deployment: The 1/20th Infantry arrived in Vietnam in December 1967, operating primarily in the Quang Ngai Province and the Chu Lai area. • My Lai Massacre Connection: The infamous My Lai Massacre (March 16, 1968) was perpetrated by members of Charlie Company, 1/20th Infantry. This event became one of the most well-known war crimes of the Vietnam War. • Combat Operations: The battalion actively participated in major operations such as Operation Wheeler/Wallowa, Operation Muscatine, and others aimed at rooting out Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces. • Medal of Honor Recipients: Specialist Four Glenn H. English Jr. and Sergeant Donald Sidney Skidgel both received the Medal of Honor while serving with the 1/20th Infantry in Vietnam. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 20th Infantry Regiment’s insignia features a blue shield and a silver star, symbolizing its Civil War origins and distinguished service. • Post-Vietnam Service: After Vietnam, the 1/20th Infantry went through several reassignments, including service in Korea and reactivation at Fort Drum, New York, as part of the 10th Mountain Division. • “Sykes’ Regulars”: The 20th Infantry Regiment’s nickname, “Sykes’ Regulars,” honors its first commander, Colonel George Sykes, and its status as a regular army unit. • Unit Motto: The battalion’s motto is “Toujours Prêt” (“Always Ready”), reflecting its readiness and resilience across multiple conflicts from the Civil War to the present day.