HHC 2:16th Infantry

• Origins in World War I: The 16th Infantry Regiment, including its 2nd Battalion, was activated in 1917 and saw action with the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I. • D-Day Landings: Elements of the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, were among the first to land on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, playing a critical role in securing the beachhead. • Nickname - “Rangers”: The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry has earned the nickname "Rangers" and is known by the motto "Strike Hard." • Vietnam War Valor: The battalion, including HHC, served with distinction in Vietnam, most notably during Operation Junction City and the Tet Offensive. • Medal of Honor Recipients: Over its history, multiple soldiers from the 16th Infantry Regiment have been awarded the Medal of Honor for acts of valor, including actions by members of the 2nd Battalion. • “Rangers Lead the Way” Tradition: The unit’s aggressive spirit and combat prowess have contributed to the Army’s “Rangers Lead the Way” ethos, despite not being the formal Ranger Regiment. • Operation Desert Storm: The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 as part of the 1st Infantry Division’s rapid advance into Iraq. • “Devil Brigade” Connection: The 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry is part of the legendary “Big Red One” (1st Infantry Division), also known as the “Devil Brigade.” • Modern Deployments: In the 21st century, HHC 2/16th Infantry has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. • Literary Fame – “The Good Soldiers”: The experiences of HHC and 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry during the 2007 surge in Baghdad are chronicled in the acclaimed book The Good Soldiers by David Finkel.