U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment
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| U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment | |
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| Active | 1851 - Present |
| Country | USA |
| Branch | Army National Guard |
| Type | Regiment |
| Role | Infantry |
| Garrison/HQ | New York City & Long Island |
| Nickname | "Fighting 69th" {Battle Cry= "Fag an Beallach" {Clear The Way!} |
| Motto | Gentle When Stroked; Fierce when Provoked |
| Colors | Kelly Green |
| March | Gary Owen |
| Mascot | Irish Wolfhound |
| Battles/wars | Bull Run, Peninsula Campaign, Fair Oaks, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, Antietam , Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Appomattox, Champagne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Makin Island, Saipan, Okinawa, Iraqi Freedom |
| Anniversaries | March 17th (St Patrick's Day) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Michael Corcoran, Thomas Francis Meagher, "Wild Bill" Donovan |
The 69th Infantry Regiment (Light), New York Army National Guard is the famed Fighting 69th combat unit out of New York City and part of the 42nd "Rainbow" Division. Its history dates back to 1851, when it was created as the 69th New York Militia, "A" company can trace roots back to the American Revolution. The regiment has served at home and overseas during the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
It is an Irish heritage unit, with many of its traditions and symbols deriving from a time when the regiment was made entirely of Irish-Americans. The regiment's Civil War Era battle cry was "Fág an Beallach;" which is Irish Gaelic for "Clear the Way." This is reminiscent of the cry of the Irish Brigade of the French Army in the Battle of Fontenoy. A World War I era battle cry is "Gary Owen and Glory!" Its Motto is "Gentle when stroked - Fierce when provoked" in reference to the Irish Wolfhounds on its crest and dress cap badges of 1861.
The unit's Regimental crest depicts both the 1861 Regimental dress cap device braced by two Irish Wolfhounds and the red shamrock of the First Division of the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac in the Civil War. These separated by a rainbow depicting the units service as a founding regiment of the 42nd Rainbow Division in World War I. The Kelly Green background is a unique honor; most infantry units are required to have an infantry blue background. The regiment has this because its Civil War Regimental colors (flags) were green with a golden map of Ireland.
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[edit] Early history
The regiment was formed on October 12, 1851, in New York City. Originally it was the 2nd Regiment of Irish Volunteers, a citizen-militia made up of Irish-Catholic immigrants, who were flooding into the United States in the wake of the Great Famine in Ireland. The Irish were welcomed into the New York militia system as the 69th New York State Milita. In 1860, Michael Corcoran was named Colonel of the 69th. He gained both fame and notoriety when he refused to parade the regiment in front of the visiting Prince of Wales in reaction to the British response to the Irish Famine. He was placed under arrest. The charges were dropped after the bombardment of Fort Sumter and the beginning of the Civil War. The 69th was initially assigned to the Army of Virginia.
[edit] The Civil War
After the First Battle of Bull Run, the regiment, along with the Fire Zouaves, formed the rear-guard of the Union Army as it made its retreat towards Washington. Corcoran was captured during the battle. Thomas Francis Meagher, Captain of the regiment's Zouave company, was promoted to Colonel.
In the fall of 1861, the regiment reenlisted and was renamed the 69th New York Volunteers. Colonel Meagher proposed the creation of a brigade made entirely of Irishmen, of which the 69th would form the first regiment. Meagher was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of the new brigade. The "Irish Brigade", then 3,000 strong, saw heavy action during the Seven Days battles. At Malvern Hill, the 69th led the brigade in a charge against advancing Southern troops. The 69th forced the retreat of the famed Louisiana Tigers, an event for which General Robert E. Lee gave the regiment its nickname, "The Fighting 69th". (Later, in both World War I and in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 69th and the Lousiana Tigers fought side by side against a common enemy). At Antietam, General Meagher personally led the 69th as the Irish Brigade charged the Sunken Road. The 69th, already badly mauled, suffered 60% casualties. The Irish Brigade was virtually destroyed at the Battle of Fredericksburg, suffering higher casualties than it had at Antietam. The day after the battle, the 69th was issued its famed "2nd Colors", one set of which were later given to the Irish Parliament by John F. Kennedy on the centennial of the battle. After Chancellorsville, only 300 men remained in the regiment. General Meagher resigned as commander of the Irish Brigade, stating that "the brigade ceased to exist." The 69th's commander, Patrick Kelly was named as the new commander of the brigade. At Gettysburg the regiment, vastly outnumbered, held the Wheatfield until it was overwhelmed.
Following Gettysburg, the Irish Brigade ceased to exist as a functioning unit and was disbanded in June 1864. The depleted ranks of the 69th Regiment was filled with new volunteers, as well as draftees from New Yorks Irish ghettoes. At the end of the summer of 1864, the 69th rejoined its Irish comrades as 1st Regiment of the 2nd Irish Brigade. The brigade served until the end of the war and was present at the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. Out of more than 2,000 regiments that served with the Union Army, the 69th lost more men than all but six regiments.
[edit] Post Civil War
The regiment marched in the Washington, D.C. victory parade and returned to New York. All the regiments of the Irish Brigade were disbanded except the 69th, which remained part of the New York National Guard. The 69th remained a place of unity and culture for Irish Americans in the post war years. It was called into active service in 1898 for the Spanish American War, transported to Tampa Florida, but it did not see combat due to the brevity of that war. In 1916, the regiment was posted along the Mexican border during the Punitive expedition.
[edit] World War I
The outbreak of World War I saw a resurrection of the old spirit of the 69th. Its ranks were filled with many Irish-Americans and other New Yorkers, and it was sent over to France in 1918. All National Guard regiments received new "100 series" regimental numbers at that time. The 69th was renumbered the 165th Infantry Regiment, but retained its Irish symbolism and spirit. It saw heavy combat with the 42nd "Rainbow" Division. Three of its members won the Medal of Honor, including its famed commander, William Joseph Donovan. It also produced Father Francis Duffy, "The Fighting Chaplain". In heavy fighting in the Argonne, it looked as if the regiment was to be overrun. Donovan gave Duffy grenades lest he be killed. Duffy refused, and unarmed, he continued to give last rites and help the wounded. Poet Joyce Kilmer was killed while a member of the regiment.
The World War I exploits of the regiment formed the backdrop to the 1940 fictional movie The Fighting 69th. Father Duffy is memorialized in a staute at the north end of Times Square, which is technically "Duffy Square". World War II's Camp Kilmer was named for Joyce Kilmer and William Joseph Donovan went on to to organize the OSS.
[edit] World War II
The regiment, still designated the 165th Infantry, served with 27th Division (New York State's other National Guard Division at the time) and was sent to the Pacific during World War II. The regiment served with distinction and landed at Makin Island, Saipan and Okinawa. Sgt. (then Pfc.) Alejandro Rentaria Ruiz was awarded the Medal Of Honor for actions while serving with Able company of the regiment.
[edit] 9/11 and aftermath
From its armory at Lexington Avenue and 25th Street in midtown Manhattan, the 69th was one of the first military units to respond to the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Two members were killed during rescue operations, 1st Lieutenant Gerard Baptiste (FDNY) & Specialist Thomas Jurgens (NYS Courts). Following duty at the WTC, 200 soldiers were mobilized to protect the United States Military Academy, West Point, serving for 1 year. Numerous other members were on active duty providing protection to nuclear power plants, airports, bridges, tunnels, & trains throughout the New York area as part of Operation Noble Eagle.
[edit] Operation Iraqi Freedom
On May 15, 2004, it was Federalized for combat duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom, training at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Irwin, California before deploying. In Iraq the units of the Regiment performed combat patrols in Taji, Radwiniyah, and Baghdad. While in Baghdad the regiment was responsible for the infamous "Route Irish", (the airport road) linking the "Green Zone" to BIAP airfield. It has since returned from active duty in Iraq, the first time it has seen overseas combat since World War II. 19 members of the Regiment were Killed in Action, and over 50 were Wounded in Action during "Operation Wolfhound" [1] named after the Irish Wolfhounds on its Regimental crest.
[edit] Tributes
[edit] General Douglas MacArthur tribute to the 69th
General Douglas MacArthur, gave the following address to members and veterans of the 69th at The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City via short-wave radio from Manila, The Philippines, on Jan. 24, 1940:
| No greater fighting regiment has ever existed than the One Hundred and Sixty-fifth Infantry of the Rainbow Division, formed from the old Sixty-ninth Regiment of New York. I cannot tell you how real and how sincere a pleasure I feel tonight in once more addressing the members of that famous unit. You need no eulogy from me or from any other man. You have written your own history and written it in red on your enemies' breast, but when I think of your patience under adversity , your courage under fire, and your modesty in victory, I am filled with an emotion of admiration I cannot express. You have carved your own statue upon the hearts of your people, you have built your own monument in the memory of your compatriots.
One of the most outstanding characteristics of the regiment was its deep sense of religious responsibility, inculcated by one of my most beloved friends — Father Duffy. He gave you a code that embraces the highest moral laws, that will stand the test of any ethics or philosophies ever promulgated for the uplift of man. Its requirements are for the things that are right and its restraints are from the things that are wrong. The soldier, above all men, is required to perform the highest act of religious teaching — sacrifice. However horrible the results of war may be, the soldier who is called upon to offer and perchance to give his life for his country is the noblest development of mankind. No physical courage and no brute instincts can take the place of the divine annunciation and spiritual uplift which will alone sustain him. Father Duffy, on those bloody fields of France we all remember so well, taught the men of your regiment how to die that a nation might live — how to die unquestioning and uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts and the hope on their lips that we might go on to victory. Somewhere in your banquet hall tonight his noble spirit looks down to bless and guide you young soldiers on the narrow path marked with West Point's famous motto — duty, honor, country. We 'll hope that war will come to us no more. But if its red stream again engulf us, I want you to know that if my flag flies again, I shall hope to have you once more with me, once more to form the brilliant hues of what is lovingly, reverently called by men at arms, the Rainbow. May God be with you until we meet again. |
[edit] President Kennedy tribute in the Irish Parliament
President John Fitzgerald Kennedy opened his address to Irish Parliament on June 28, 1963 with a moving tribute to the gallantry of the Fighting 69th, as follows:
| The 13th day of September, 1862, will be a day long remembered in American history. At Fredericksburg, Maryland, thousands of men fought and died on one of the bloodiest battlefields of the American Civil War. One of the most brilliant stories of that day was written by a band of 1200 men who went into battle wearing a green sprig in their hats. They bore a proud heritage and a special courage, given to those who had long fought for the cause of freedom. I am referring, of course, to the Irish Brigade. General Robert E. Lee, the great military leader of the Southern Confederate Forces, said of this group of men after the battle, "The gallant stand which this bold brigade made on the heights of Fredericksburg is well known. Never were men so brave. They ennobled their race by their splendid gallantry on that desperate occasion. Their brilliant though hopeless assaults on our lines excited the hearty applause of our officers and soldiers."
Of the 1200 men who took part in that assault, 280 survived the battle. The Irish Brigade was led into battle on that occasion by Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Meagher, who had participated in the unsuccessful Irish uprising of 1848, was captured by the British and sent in a prison ship to Australia from whence he finally came to America. In the fall of 1862, after serving with distinction and gallantry in some of the toughest fighting of this most bloody struggle, the Irish Brigade was presented with a new set of flags. In the city ceremony, the city chamberlain gave them the motto, "The Union, our Country, and Ireland forever." Their old ones having been torn to shreds in previous battles, Capt. Richard McGee took possession of these flags on December 2nd in New York City and arrived with them at the Battle of Fredericksburg and carried them in the battle. Today, in recognition of what these gallant Irishmen and what millions of other Irish have done for my country, and through the generosity of the "Fighting 69th," I would like to present one of these flags to the people of Ireland". |
This flag is displayed in Leinster House, Dublin.
[edit] Ireland memorial
The Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg unveiled Ireland's national monument to the Fighting 69th on August 22, 2006 at Ballymote, County Sligo, the birth place of former Brigadier Michael Corcoran [1] [2]. The monument is a bronze column inscribed with scenes of Corcoran's life. Beside the gray, stone base is a small chamber set flush with the ground that contains a piece of steel from the World Trade Center donated by the parents of firefighter Michael Lynch, who perished in the attack.
Mayor Bloomberg is his remarks that day stated"
| Brigadier General Michael Corcoran became one of the Civil War’s most revered heroes. When he returned to New York City after months of captivity in the South, enormous crowds thronged him in a parade up Broadway to New York’s City Hall. When he died, his body lay in state in our City Hall – just down the corridor from my desk – and people came from far and wide to pay their last respects. His successor as commander of the 69th was a fellow Irishman, the legendary Thomas Francis Meagher. At Meagher’s funeral mass in New York City, his eulogist said: “Never forget this: he gave all, lost all for the land of his birth. He risked all for the land of his adoption, was her true and loyal soldier, and in the end died in her service.’'
So it could be said for much of the Irish Brigade. And although the 69th suffered terrible casualties in the Civil War, its tradition of valor – and its connection to Ireland – lived on. When the Fighting 69th was re-activated for World War I, about 95% of the men who joined the regiment were Irish. Their chaplain, Father Francis Duffy, said the rest of the men were “Irish by adoption, Irish by association, or Irish by conviction. Today, the 69th is as diverse as New York City itself – but Father Duffy’s words still hold true. |
[edit] Medal of Honor Citations
Six members of the regiment (not including members of other regiments of the Irish Brigade included in the unit's lineage) have been awarded the Medal Of Honor. Not only is this a high number for a National Guard regiment, all survived the actions in which they won it.
[edit] Peter Rafferty
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 69th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Malvern Hill, Va., 1 July 1862. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 2 August 1897.
Citation: Having been wounded and directed to the rear, declined to go, but continued in action, receiving several additional wounds, which resulted in his capture by the enemy and his total disability for military service.
[edit] Timothy Donoghue
Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 69th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Fredericksburg, Va., 13 December 1862. Entered service at:------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 17 January 1894.
Citation: Voluntarily carried a wounded officer off the field from between the lines; while doing this he was himself wounded.
[edit] Michael A. Donaldson
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 165th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: At Sommerance-Landres-et St. Georges Road, France, 14 October 1918. Entered service at: Haverstraw, N.Y. Born: 1884, Haverstraw, N.Y. G.O. No.: 9, W.D., 1923.
Citation: The advance of his regiment having been checked by intense machinegun fire of the enemy, who were entrenched on the crest of a hill before Landres-et St. Georges, his company retired to a sunken road to reorganize their position, leaving several of their number wounded near the enemy lines. Of his own volition, in broad daylight and under direct observation of the enemy and with utter disregard for his own safety, he advanced to the crest of the hill, rescued one of his wounded comrades, and returned under withering fire to his own lines, repeating his splendidly heroic act until he had brought in all the men, 6 in number.
[edit] William Joseph Donovan
Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 14-15 October 1918. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Born: 1 January 1883, Buffalo, N.Y. G.O., No.: 56, W.D., 1922.
Citation: Lt. Col. Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks. When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.
[edit] Richard W. O'Neill
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 165th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and date: On the Ourcq River, France, 30 July 1918. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: New York, N.Y. G.O. No.: 30, W.D., 1921.
Citation: In advance of an assaulting line, he attacked a detachment of about 25 of the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to-hand encounter he sustained pistol wounds, but heroically continued in the advance, during which he received additional wounds: but, with great physical effort, he remained in active command of his detachment. Being again wounded, he was forced by weakness and loss of blood to be evacuated, but insisted upon being taken first to the battalion commander in order to transmit to him valuable information relative to enemy positions and the disposition of our men.
[edit] Alejandro R. Renteria Ruiz
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division. Place and date: Okinawa, Ryūkyū Islands, 28 April 1945. Entered service at: Carlsbad, N. Mex. Birth: Loving, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 60, 26 June 1946.
Citation: When his unit was stopped by a skillfully camouflaged enemy pillbox, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. His squad, suddenly brought under a hail of machinegun fire and a vicious grenade attack, was pinned down. Jumping to his feet, Pfc. Ruiz seized an automatic rifle and lunged through the flying grenades and rifle and automatic fire for the top of the emplacement. When an enemy soldier charged him, his rifle jammed. Undaunted, Pfc. Ruiz whirled on his assailant and clubbed him down. Then he ran back through bullets and grenades, seized more ammunition and another automatic rifle, and again made for the pillbox. Enemy fire now was concentrated on him, but he charged on, miraculously reaching the position, and in plain view he climbed to the top. Leaping from 1 opening to another, he sent burst after burst into the pillbox, killing 12 of the enemy and completely destroying the position. Pfc. Ruiz's heroic conduct, in the face of overwhelming odds, saved the lives of many comrades and eliminated an obstacle that long would have checked his unit's advance.
[edit] Traditions and Trivia
The name "The Fighting 69th" was bestowed on the regiment by none other than Robert E. Lee. When he asked what troops were facing is forces he was told the 69th New York. His reply was, "Ah, that fighting 69th."
New York City's famous St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue has always been led by the Regiment.[2]
Its officers do not wear the traditional plain crossed rifles of the infantry on their dress uniforms, but crossed rifles bearing the numerals "69". This is because the unit has been in continuous existence since the days when wearing the regimental number on the branch insignia was standard.
In some ceremonies, the regiment's NCO's carry shillelaghs as a badge of rank.
The movie "The Fighting 69th" was shown at drills to all persons joining the regiment through the 1970's.
"Fighting 69th Punch" is traditionally served at unit social occasions. It's a mixture of 1 part Irish whiskey to 3 parts Champagne. It dates back to World War I service in the Champagne region of France when champagne was more available than safe drinking water.
From 1993 to 1996, the regiment was reassigned to the Air Defense Artillery branch. After howls of protest from the unit and its veterans, it returned to its traditional Infantry roots in 1997.
Since World War I the unit's make up has more reflected New Yok City's diverse ethnicity, but all members of the 69th are honorary Irishmen.
In the 1960's, the New York Knicks' Cazzie Russell was a member of the regiment and wrote a sports column for the regimental newspaper.
The official regimental cocktail is made of two parts champagne and one part Irish whiskey. According to legend, the regimental commander, Thomas Francis Meagher, liked to drink his whiskey with Vichy water. But one day during the Civil War, when his aide was unable to find Vichy water, he returned with champagne. Meaghan liked the new mixture, and the drink stuck.
[edit] The 69th Regiment Armory
The main armory on Lexington Avenue at 25th Street has the names of its Civil War Battles engraved on its front. A museum depicting history of the regiment is there and murals of the unit's past service adorn the mess rooms. Prior to the unit's realignment to Long Island, its secondary armory (Companies B & C) was on Main Street in Flushing.
On April 12, 1983, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the 69th Regiment Armory an official New York City landmark. The armory was also the 1913 scene of one of the first exhibits of Modern Art in the US, now simply referred to as the Armory Show. It was even depicted on a US postage stamp.
After the September 11 2001 attacks its armory was used an information and counseling center for the families of the victims of the attacks.
[edit] References
- ^ "Bloomberg unveils Sligo monument to Fighting 69th", The Irish Times, 2006-08-22.
- ^ Speech By John Perry TD at the Unveiling of Ireland’s National Monument to the Fighting 69th Regiment & Brigadier Michael Corcoran, Ballymote, Co. Sligo. Fine Gael (2006-08-22).
Remember Fontenoy!: the 69th New York and the Irish Brigade in the Civil War by Joseph G. Bilby, 1995.
Father Duffy’s Story, by Fr. Francis Patrick Duffy, George H. Doran Company, 1919.
A Doughboy with the Fighting 69th, by Albert M. and A. Churchill Ettinger, Simon & Schuster, 1992.
The Shamrock Battalion of the Rainbow: A Story of the Fighting Sixty-Ninth, by Martin J. Hogan, D. Appleton, 1919.
Wild Bill Donovan: The Last Hero, by Anthony Cave Brown, N.Y. Times Books, 1982.
Americans All, the Rainbow at War: The Official History of the 42nd Rainbow Division in the World War, by Henry J. Reilly, F.J. Heer, 1936.
Duffy's War: Fr. Francis Duffy, Wild Bill Donovan, and the Irish Fighting 69th in World War I by Stephen L. Harris, Potomac Books, 2006
