116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)
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| 116th Brigade Combat Team | |
|---|---|
 Shoulder sleeve insignia of the United States Army 116th Brigade Combat Team |
|
| Active | |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | U.S. Army National Guard |
| Nickname | Stonewall Brigade |
| Motto | Ever Forward {116th Infantry} |
| Engagements | American Revolution War of 1812 Mexican-American War Civil War World War 1 World War 2 Operation Joint Forge Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| 116th Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Distinctive Unit Insignia of the United States Army 116th Infantry Regiment |
|
| Active | 1607 |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Virginia |
| Branch | U.S. Army National Guard |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Combat Arms |
| Size | Regiment |
Contents |
[edit] Description
The 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was formerly known as the 1st Brigade, 29th Infantry Division. It is currently assigned to the Virginia Army National Guard. The Brigade is headquartered in Staunton, VA, at the Thomas Howie Memorial Armory.
[edit] Insignia
The shoulder sleeve insignia depicts Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson mounted on his horse, a reference to the 116th's lineage as the Stonewall Brigade. The patch's nickname is 'Stony on a Pony.'
[edit] History
Formed as part of the Virginia Militia and called into Federal Service during both World Wars, and for service in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq. This regiment traces its lineage back to the famed Confederate Stonewall Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia.
During WWII, the 116th Infantry Regiment took part in the Normady Landings. The regiment suffered 314 casualties, including soldiers from A Company, which lost 96% of their men within 10 minutes of its landing on Omaha beach. The 116th Infantry Combat Team fought its way through Les Moulins draw toward its objective, Vierville-sur-Mer. It was during the movement from Les Moulins that the 2nd Battalion broke loose from the beach, clambered over the embankment, and a small party, led by the battalion commander, fought its way to a farmhouse which became its first Command Post in France.
In 2004, 3-116th deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, where it suffered several casualties, including SGT Bobby Beasley and SGT Craig Cherry.
In August 2006, 1-116th mobilized in support of KFOR 8 as part of the 29th Infantry Division providing stability operations in the Serbian province of Kosovo with NATO. They become known as Task Force Red Dragon for the duration of the deployment.
In May 2007, the Brigade Headquarters Company mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Headquarters Company was stationed on the International Zone and suffered no casualties.
[edit] Current Units
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 116th Stonewall Infantry Brigade Combat Team, (VA NG)
- 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry
- 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry
- 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry, RSTA
- 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery
- 429th Brigade Support Battalion
- 116BCT Special Troops Battalion
