84th Organization Day:  August 14, 1945

84th Organization Day Program

 

On the Colors of the Fourteenth Infantry

CIVIL WAR:  Peninsular, Manassas, Antietam, Virginia 1862/1863, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg.

INDIAN WARS:  Wyoming 1874, Little Big Horn, Arizona, Bannocks.

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR:  Manila.

PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION:  Manila, Laguna deBay, Zapote River, Cavite.

THE CHINA RELIEF EXPEDITION:  Yang-Tsun, Peking.

WORLD WAR II:  Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns.

  

Coat of Arms
 

Fourteenth U. S. Infantry

When the Union Troops were being formed for a grand review at the close of the Civil War, General Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, was asked where the Fourteenth Infantry should be placed. "Take the right of the line," he said. "The Fourteenth has always been to the front in battle and deserves the honor." The Maltese Cross was the emblem of the 5th Army Corps, to which the 14th belonged in the Civil War; the arrows signify service in the Indian War, the castle and palm tree are emblematic of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection, and the dragon of the Boxer-Rebellion in China, when the colors of the 14th Infantry were the first foreign flag planted on the great wall of Peking. Additional designs will be placed on the Coat of Arms to signify the part played by the Regiment as it fought through the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns of World War II.


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History of the Fourteenth U. S. Infantry

One hundred and forty-seven years’ service with the Armies of the United States marked by gallantry in action and traditional faithfulness in its country’s cause through the course of its history has established the Fourteenth as one of the finest old regiments in the United States Infantry and has presented present day members with an enviable esprit-de-corps.

A long and impressive battle-stained history tells the heroic story of the men who carried the Fourteenth’s colors through the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection, Boxer Rebellion in China, and two battles of World War II.

The numerical designation "Fourteenth Infantry" has been borne by four regiments of Infantry in the regular service of the United States.  Three of these organizations played a leading role in the defense of the nation during emergency years.  In 1798 the first of these regiments was organized but was disbanded in 1800 when a wave of anti-militarism swept the country.

Smarting under England’s contempt and the impressment of our seamen, Congress, following the leadership of peace-loving President Madison, at last declared war in the spring of 1812.  Reborn, the Fourteenth this time took an active part in the field, participating in the engagements of Fort Niagara, Lundy’s Lane, Frenchman’s Creek, Fort George, Beaver Dams, Chrystler’s Farm, De Cole’s Mills, Chippewa, and Cook’s Mills.  The war over, an early return to former policies relegated the regiment to the inactive list, and for a second time, the now bloodstained colors of the regiment were laid away.

In the Mexican War (1847-1848), a twice resurrected Fourteenth was with Scott’s gallant column which marched and fought its way into the heart of Mexico.  In this historic march the regiment saw action at Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and the San Cosmo Gate of Mexico City.  Seven of the officers were brevetted for bravery in these battles.  This was, however, to be but a brief span of life, for after little more than a year’s glorious service, the Fourteenth was mustered out and rendered inactive.

The birth of the present Fourteenth U. S. Infantry dates from the Civil War.  Scarcely had gallant Major Anderson surrendered Fort Sumter when President Lincoln on May 4, 1861, ordered the increase of the Regular Army by twenty-five infantry regiments.  The President’s action was confirmed by Congress in special session, and the actual organization of the Fourteenth Infantry commenced about August 5, 1861, at Fort Trumbull, Connecticut.

About a year later the regiment joined the historic Army of the Potomac.  Blue and gray battle ribbons floating from the peak of the regimental colors give mute testimony to valorous service in the inferno of the Civil War from that date until Lee surrendered his ragged, half-starved Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox in 1865.  Written in letters of gold on these ribbons will be found the names of the greatest battles of the Civil War—Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. In these battles the Fourteenth exhibited a dash and courage not surpassed in the annals of our wars.


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It was at the end of this war that the regiment gained its motto and proud boast, "THE RIGHT OF THE LINE."  When the units were being arranged for a grand review in Richmond, the capital of the fallen Confederacy, General Meade was asked by the commanding officer of the Fourteenth what position his regiment should take.  General Meade replied, "Take the right of the line; the Fourteenth has always been to the front in battle and deserves the honor."

The country now turned to peaceful pursuits but even in an era of peace there is work for our Army.  The tide of population was flowing westward. Savage Indians and equally savage white renegades had to be suppressed and this task fell to the Regular Army.  Soon the Regulars were to be known from one end of the frontier to the other.  Well they might be, for in no small degree was the successful settling of our Golden West due to them.  Indian fighting, policing of the vast countryside, and the administration of law and order were the order of the day for the Regulars of that period.

In August 1865, the Fourteenth received orders for California.  The journey to the west was made via New York, Panama, and San Francisco.  In the years that followed, the Regiment saw service in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, and North Dakota with one short tour of duty at Nashville, Tennessee.  In 1866 a reorganization took place.  The 2d Battalion became the 23d Infantry, the 3d Battalion became the 32d Infantry, while the 1st Battalion with replacements remained as the 14th Infantry.  Shortly after this the Regiment was scattered far and wide having detachments in as many as thirteen camps and posts at the same time.

The period of the Indian Wars (1865—1884) was a trying time.  Men who had survived the Civil War broke down under the terrible strain of the Indian campaigns.  Alternately they roasted in the deserts of Arizona and froze in the intense cold of Wyoming and North Dakota.  Sand storms, blizzards, short rations, and a scant water supply were their daily portion.  In addition they were fighting the Apaches and Sioux, among the fiercest Indians in North America.  A frequent entry on the muster rolls of that time was "Mail carrier killed by the Indians."  For this exciting period two red and black battle ribbons bearing the names Wyoming 1871, and Little Big Horn and Bannock were added to our colors.

The Regiment was moved in 1884 to Vancouver Barracks where it remained for fourteen years of peaceful garrison service only occasionally enlivened by strike or riot duty.  Four companies were sent to Alaska in 1893 where they landed just in time to prevent permanent occupation of the Lynn Canal District by the British.  In doing this, the Regiment performed an invaluable service for our country.

However, more exciting days were at hand for on April 19, 1898, war was declared on Spain.  On May 25, 1898, Companies A, C, D, E, and F sailed from San Francisco for the Philippines.  B and H Companies were still in Alaska, while G Company was left behind to form the nucleus of the newly authorized 3d Battalion.  On July 2, 1898, after capturing the Island of Guam on the way, the troops disembarked at Cavite Arsenal.  A few days later they participated in the siege and capture of Manila thus adding to their regimental colors the yellow and blue Spanish War battle streamer.

Peace, which ended the Spanish-American War on August 12, 1898, only marked the beginning of the Fourteenth’s real work.  Aguinaldo, a leader in the Philippine insurrection against Spain, had announced himself as the provisional head of the Filipino Government and had begun active preparations to drive the Americans out.  The first outbreak occurred on the night of February 4, 1899, touching off the insurrection which was to last nearly three years.  Tropic heat, torrential rain, deep


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mud and jungle fever were the allies of the insurrectionist with his mob.  Actual battles were rare and except for the major engagements at Manila, Laguna de Bay, Zapote, and Cavite, minor skirmishes, ambushes, long marches and reconnaissance occupied the Fourteenth Infantry of 1899.

One of the Regiment’s most famous "alumni", the distinguished author, Peter B. Kyne, was then a member of Company "L" and his experiences while a Fourteenth Infantryman afforded him an excellent opportunity to gather material for future stories.  His entertaining and humorous tales of the hardboiled company of "Right o’ the Liners," commanded by a captain affectionately known to the men as "Auld cut-the-Daisies," have their origin and basis in the stern facts of the Fourteenth’s service in the Philippine Insurrection.  Its field service was terminated in November 1899 and the regiment was recalled to Manila.  Shortly after this the First Battalion was designated as the "Home Battalion" and sent to station at Fort Brady and Fort Wayne, Michigan.

For many years the Chinese had hated the presence of foreign colonies, missions and legations in their country and, in 1900, this hatred flamed forth in the Boxer Rebellion.  On July 8, 1900, the Fourteenth, as part of the American force commanded by Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, had its orders for China.  This news was received with the greatest enthusiasm by the officers and men.  Taku, China, was reached on July 28 and on August 4, the Regiment as part of the allied forces moved out from Tientsin for Peking.

Three days later, on August 7, there was a sharp engagement at the village of Yang-Tsun.  This Chinese stronghold fairly bristled with an ugly assortment of field artillery and was very strongly held.  Here the Fourteenth, far ahead of its British and French allies, assaulted and captured the town almost unaided.  Indeed, so far had the "Fourteeners" outdistanced the other troops that liaison was lost with the supporting artillery which continued to shell the village for some time after the 14th had occupied it.

Crossing to the west bank of the Poi-Ho River the next day (August 8), the allied forces resumed their advance on Peking.  North China was suffering from a prolonged drought attended by a parching heat wave at this time.  Breathless heat, little water, and a pall of dust stirred up by the feet of the marching host made the following days a never-to-be-forgotten ordeal.

August 13th found the weary, sun-blistered, dust-caked Allied columns before Peking.  The attack was launched on the 14th.  In this attack the Fourteenth was to play a most dramatic and highly important part.  As the troops moved forward to the assault, the Chinese fire from the wall of the city was so severe that it was necessary to silence it before storming the gates.  To do this required getting some of our own men on the wall.  There were no ropes or scaling ladders and the wall was thirty feet high.  There were many loose bricks, however, and it seemed practicable for the soldiers, by placing their hands and feet in the numerous crevices, to scale the wall.

Volunteers to make the initial attempt were called for and many offered to go.  A light, agile, nervy young soldier, Musician Calvin P. Titus of Company "E," was selected to make the first try.  Cautiously he worked his way up the vertical barrier towering thirty feet above him, finally reaching the top in safety.  Luckily this immediate section of the wall had not yet been occupied by the Chinese, and with others following Titus’ lead, the Fourteenth was soon "topside" in considerable force.


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There was now some danger that our men on the wall might be mistaken for Chinese and fired upon by the Allies so it was decided to place the American flag on the ramparts.  A mounted messenger brought the National colors through a heavy fire to the foot of the wall whence it was quickly hauled to the top and unfurled.  As the beautiful silken folds waved out over the wall, the Americans let go a mighty shout of triumph and exultation at the sight of the colors of the Fourteenth Infantry and at the thought that ours was the first foreign flag to float over the walls of Peking in the China Relief Expedition.

The next day our Regiment in company with the famous "Riley’s Battery", which blew down the gates to the Imperial City for us, resumed its apparently irresistible advance.  Starting at seven in the morning, it drove forward steadily hour after hour.  The enemy was forced from three high walls and late in the afternoon the Fourteenth was facing the last stronghold of the desperate Chinese—the wall of the sacred Forbidden City itself.  But the honor of capturing this holy fortress was not to be its, for just as victory was in its grasp, hostilities were ordered suspended.  Soon after, when the Chinese capitulated, the Fourteenth was selected to lead the triumphal entry of the Allied troops into the fallen city.

For his heroic deed, Musician Titus received the Medal of Honor and a cadetship at West Point.  Many men were commended and a number of officers were brevetted for bravery.  The discipline of the Regiment was remarkable.  At this time. General Daggett in commenting on the achievements of the Fourteenth in China attributed its remarkable success to its superior discipline.  Altogether the service of the Fourteenth in the China Relief Expedition forms one of the brightest pages in its history.

Back in Manila again a monotonous year was passed guarding warehouses and offices.  Welcome orders for the States came in June 1901, and on the night of August 18, it was a joyful outfit that made camp at the Presidio of San Francisco, California.  From here the battalions left for their eastern stations.  Regimental Headquarters and the 2d Battalion went to Fort Snelling, Minn.  The 3d Battalion was split up between Forts Porter and Niagara, N. Y.  It was while at Fort Porter that Companies "K" and "L" stood guard over the house in which the martyred President McKinley lay dying from an assassin's bullet.  After he died, "I" Company escorted the body to Canton, Ohio, and stood guard as it lay in state.

Again, in 1903, the Regiment was ordered to the Philippines.  After an uneventful trip, the 1st Battalion debarked at Camp Hartshorne, Samar, while the remainder of the regiment proceeded to Camp Connell on the west coast of Samar.  This brief and uneventful stay in the Islands was terminated in 1905 when orders assigned the Regiment to its old home at Vancouver Barracks.

There ordinary garrison duty occupied the Regiment until that fateful day in April 1906, when almost all the business section of San Francisco was razed by earthquake and the resulting fire.  Practically the entire Fourteenth Infantry was ordered to the stricken city.  When the troops arrived four days later, the fire was still burning.  Until the end of June the Regiment remained in San Francisco protecting property, issuing relief supplies, helping the disorganized police force, and preventing the sale of liquor.  Scarcely had the outfit again settled down to its duties at Vancouver Barracks, when in 1908 orders were received for a third Philippine tour.  This short stay in the Philippines also proved uneventful and in 1910 the Regiment was back in the States.  The 1st Battalion went to Fort Lincoln, North Dakota, the 2d to Fort Harrison, Montana, and the 3d to Fort Missoula, Montana.


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In 1913, the 1st Battalion went to Alaska and the remainder of the Regiment was split up between Forts Lawton and George Wright, Washington.  The Mexican Border troubles of 1916 drew the 2d and 3d Battalions to Fort Douglas, Arizona.  Operating from this post as a base, these two battalions patrolled miles of the border with characteristic Fourteenth Infantry thoroughness.

Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War the regiment was ordered back to Vancouver Barracks to prepare for overseas service.  However, active World War service was, for the Fourteenth, to remain an enticing but never realized dream.  After intensive training and much guard duty the regiment found itself at Camp Dodge, Iowa, where it was rejoined by the long absent 1st Battalion.  Here just as the longed-for overseas service was in sight, the armistice was signed.  A bitterly disappointed Fourteenth moved to Camp Grant, Illinois, where it was depleted of its war strength.

In 1920, orders for Panama were received, and on the morning of October 27 of that year, the regiment arrived at Fort Davis.  A post with modern quarters had been constructed here but absolutely no clearing or grading had been done.  Jungle surrounded the buildings and hills and jungle covered the present parade grounds, baseball diamond and rifle range.

From that day, October 27, 1920, the men of the Fourteenth waged unceasing war against that implacable foe of man in the tropics—the jungle.  Today the green enemy has been flung far back.  Fruits of these hard-won peace time victories are seen in the trim hedges, well-kept lawns, spotless buildings and the level parade grounds.  The neat little city of Fort Davis could put many a more fortunate situated community to shame.

On June 7, 1943, the 14th left Panama for San Francisco, California.  Camp Carson, Colorado, near Pikes Peak, became the 14th Infantry’s camp on June l, 1943.  The 71st Light Division was activated July 15, 1943, and the 14th Infantry became one of the three colorful regiments comprising the 71st Lt. Div.  About February 10, 1944 the 71st Lt. Div. was ordered to Hunter Liggett Military Reservation in California for the most grueling maneuvers known in the United States Army, after which the 71st Div., of which the 14th is an active Regiment, moved to Ft. Benning, Georgia, on May 24, 1944.

The Regiment completed training as part of the 71st Light Division early in May 1944, shipped a large percentage of its personnel overseas as replacements, and departed for Fort Benning, Georgia, where the 71st Division was re-activated as a regular triangular division on May 26, 1944.  Normal garrison duties and field training took place during the months from June to December as the Regiment completed reorganization and training as a normal table of organization Regiment.

The Regiment moved to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey early in January of 1945 and sailed from the New York Port of Embarkation on the Navy Troop Ship "General J. R. Brooke" on January 26.  Men of the Fourteenth debarked at Le Havre, France, thirteen days later after a quiet crossing of the Atlantic and established themselves at Camp Old Gold, France.  By truck and rail the Fourteenth moved 350 miles southwest across France early in March to an assembly area in the vicinity of Deuze in the rear of the Seventh Army’s lines bordering the Sarre-Mosel Triangle.

On the nights of the 13th and 14th of March, the Regiment shifted by night 39 miles into a position guarding the right flank of the Fifteenth Corps.  The first battalion under the command of Lt. Col. (then Maj.) Samuel E. Hubbard made the Fourteenth’s first contact with the enemy on March 16 as it relieved elements of the Third


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Battalion, 399th Infantry Regiment, on the right flank of the 100th Division’s attack on the city of Bitche.  The battalion pushed outposts forward 1000 yards and took fourteen prisoners without suffering any casualties.

After helping mop up the Bitche area, the Regiment took part in the breaching of the Siegfried Line.  It jumped off at 1200 hours on March 22 to protect the 71st Infantry Division’s right flank as it attacked.  The Division was on the right of the XXI Corps drive on Pirmasens.  During the afternoon and early evening of that day, the Regiment advanced, by truck and foot four miles through the Siegfried Line against light resistance.  Road obstacles, craters, and demolished bridges slowed the advance.

Two days later the Fourteenth lay on the west bank of the Rhine River near Speyer, Germany.  A feigned crossing of the river in strength, drew the enemy’s attention from the Seventh Army’s successful main effort above Mannheim to the north on March 25.  Under cover of smoke, reconnaissance patrols from the Regimental I & R Platoon crossed the river in assault boats, returning without casualties.  At 0100 hours, March 26, the Second Platoon of "E" Company slipped across the Rhine in four assault boats, took mortar fire while crossing, and exchanged fire with the enemy for fifteen minutes after reaching the east bank.  The Platoon withdrew under cover of smoke after suffering seven casualties.

On March 29 and March 30, the Regiment covered 105 miles by motor, crossing the Rhine River on a treadway bridge at Oppenheim on the 30th.  Month’s end found it in position near Frankfurt-on-the-Main.

During its first twenty days in combat, the "Right of the Line" Regiment constantly found its positions on the right of the line.

During that period it moved by truck and by foot approximately 180 miles under combat conditions while helping in the clean-up of the Sarre-Mosel Triangle and the crossing of the Rhine River.

The Fourteenth served under three armies during the month.  It completed its final preparations for battle under the Fifteenth Army at Camp Old Gold, aided in the Sarre-Mosel clean-up under the Seventh Army, and jumped the Rhine and continued east under the Third Army.  Colonel Carl E. Lundquist assumed command of the Regiment on the 19th of March, relieving Colonel Donald T. Beeler.

The 6th SS Mountain Division was engaged by the Second Battalion and dispersed at Altenstadt on April 1.  Elements of that enemy force disintegrated in the next few days as the Regiment continued in fast pursuit northeast through central Germany from the vicinity of Frankfurt, reaching Meiningen on the edge of the Thuringer Forest.

The attack swung to the southeast on April 10 as the Regiment participated in the drive toward Bayreuth.  On April 14 the Regiment by-passed the right of the 11th Armored Division around Kulmbach to clear the approaches to Bayreuth so that the 71st Infantry Division could turn to the southeast clear of the Armor to advance on the important communications center.  By nightfall elements of the Fourteenth were fighting their way into Bayreuth, and by noon the following day had forced capitulation of the city.

From the 11th of April until the 22nd the Fourteenth attacked down the Bayreuth-Amberg highway, moving 55 miles in live days against determined delaying actions.  Lt. Col. Paul G. Guthrie fought his Third Battalion thirteen miles on the final day of the drive, engaging in a series of stiff fights to dislodge the enemy from defensive positions astride the highway, and by 2200 hours on the 22nd had occupied Amberg.


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Three assault river crossings followed in rapid succession at the end of the month as the Regiment established bridgeheads across the Regen, Danube, and the swift Isar River.  The second crossing was made within thirty-six hours after the first.  The Regiment struck swiftly from Amberg on April 24, moving approximately thirty miles through enemy territory to reach Regenstauf where a key bridge was reported intact across the Regen River.  Heavy resistance and a blown bridge were encountered, and at 1230 the Second Battalion launched the Regiment’s first assault crossing in strength across the Regen River on a broad front in fifty assault boats.  A heavy artillery and chemical mortar preparation preceded the attack.  Five minutes later one company was reported across and heavy fighting in progress.  At 2400 hours the enemy had been driven from position and the bridgehead secured.

Swift fighting toward the Danube followed the next day, and by nightfall the Regiment was again preparing for an assault boat crossing of a river.  The Second and Third Battalions launched the first waves of boats across the Danube at 0400 hours on the morning of April 26 following a heavy artillery preparation.  Heavy fighting raged that day on the southern bank of the Danube.  By nightfall the bridgehead was secured and enemy positions destroyed.

A German major general surrendered the city of Regensburg 10 the Fourteenth Infantry on the morning of April 27.  Unconditional surrender terms were signed at 1020.  Other units actually occupied the city as the Regiment withdrew to its original position in preparation to attack to the east along the Danube.

On April 30 the Regiment made a quick thrust towards the Isar River, advancing by motor and marching approximately fifteen miles while clearing towns and woods in the Regimental zone, and by 1700 hours had pulled into position to launch its third assault river crossing in six days.  The turbulent Isar River was crossed with three battalions abreast, the First and Second fighting their way across demolished railroad bridges while the Third crossed in storm boats.  By 2000 hours all three battalions were across and had consolidated a narrow bridgehead near Landau one and one-half by six kilometers.

The end of the month found the Regiment fighting on the south Danube plain and advancing toward the Austria border and the Linz gap to the east.  The Fourteenth completed a 400-mile drive in the final 40 days’ pursuit of the defeated German Army through southern Germany and Austria until contact was made with the Russian Army on the Enns River in the vicinity of Steyer, Austria.

Moving 115 miles from the bridgehead at Landau on the Isar River through the shattered elements of the withdrawing enemy forces in five days, the Regiment was on the tip of General Patton’s southeastern spearhead that had been thrust across the Danube River near Regensburg in the closing days of April, until the Enns River was reached at Steyer, Austria, on May 5.

On May 1 the Regiment attacked south along the Landau-Braunau highway to expand the bridgehead over the Isar River.  Fighting against sporadic resistance, the Regiment moved forward rapidly.  The 5th and 66th Regiments crossed the river during the morning and attacked on the north flank of the Fourteenth.

The drive gained momentum on May 2 as the Regiment’s battalions leapfrogged 18 miles against light resistance to reach positions in the vicinity of Walburgskirchen.  Masses of Hungarian troops were encountered during the day as towns and woods were swept.  These enemy elements offered no resistance, cheerfully assisting the Regiment in freeing its vehicles when they bogged down on the poor roads encountered in that part of the country.


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The regiment made a covered movement by motors and marching east to Ering on the third, to cross the Inn River on a dam captured by the 5th Infantry southeast of the town.  Movement of foot elements over the dam started at noon, the battalions closing into assembly areas in the vicinity of Altheim that night.

Combat team 14, completely motorized, struck swiftly down the Braunau-Lambach highway on May 4 to cut the Linz-Salzburg highway, only remaining escape route from central Germany to the Redoubt area in the Bavarian Alps; and to seize crossings of the Traun River north of Lambach.  Strong enemy delaying positions astride the highway were encountered at Horbach at noon and heavy fighting continued throughout the day as the Regiment smashed all resistance in cutting the escape route and securing crossing of the Traun.

By 0005 hours on May 5 two bridges in the vicinity of Graben had been secured by the Second Battalion, but were found to be too weak for heavy traffic.  The Third Battalion advanced on foot across the bridges followed by it's vehicles less loads, and attacked northeast to cut Wels-Kremsmuster highway, and pushed east to Matzelsdors against sporadic resistance.  The First Battalion, moving north, crossed the Traun at Wels, and attacked southeast toward Sipbachzell where determined enemy resistance from SS units was broken and a large number of prisoners taken.

The Regiment moved into assembly areas in the vicinity of Droissendorf at 2000 hours.  The motorized battalions, hampered by 1600 prisoners taken during the days advance, plowed through narrow, muddy roads filled with columns of abandoned enemy vehicles as the daylight faded.  Orders were received to remain in positions the following morning as the Division readied the restraining line on the Enns River.  On May 7 the Regiment was officially notified that all hostilities between Germany and the United Nations would cease at 0001 hours, May 9.

War’s end on May 9th found the Regiment in the middle Danube plain at Droissendorf, Austria, faced with the problems of handling thousands of displaced persons and prisoners of war.  Temporary military government was established in the area with key control points at Bad Hall, Kremsmunster, Kemater, and Neuhofen.  Strict military control was thus established, the area completely screened, and arrangements made for the feeding and processing of the thousands of displaced persons and prisoners of war.

The Fourteenth remained in the vicinity of Droissendorf the remainder of the month.  The Regiment moved to the vicinity of Gunzburg, Germany in June to take up occupational duty.


 

1st Bn, 14th Inf Officers - 14 Aug 45
 

A record of 84-consecutive years of "Right-of-the-Line" service culminated by the past months of success in combat will thus be observed today in the heart of the enemy’s homeland.  Members of the Regiment will hold a great sense of pride in their organization today as ceremonies are heightened by gratitude for those members of the Fourteenth who sleep in Mexico and on the now peaceful battlefields of the Civil War, in the western lands which were once the country’s frontier, in the far-away Philippines, in China, and now, these few short weeks ago, those who sleep on the freshly battle-scarred wastes of Europe.


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JUNGLEERS SONG

1.

Down in Panama there’s a dragon’s claw,— And there’s none who dares molest It.

It’s the regiment that is competent, To rout all who contest it:

And it can’t be beat by the tropic heat, So throughout the hemispheres

As you march along, shout the fighting song— Of the Fourteenth Jungleers.

2.

We will shed no tears for the Jungleers,— We’re the outfit that can take It.

There’s no gorge so deep,—there’s no hill so steep, That the Fourteenth cannot make it;

So we’ll sling our packs high upon our backs, In the Fourteenth Jungleers.

When we hit the trail we will never fail With the Fourteenth Jungleers.

3.

In our dragon clan men have led the van,— And have traveled west in battle.

From the Arctic haze—to the jungle maze,— They have heard their gun’s last rattle.

So we’ll drink a toast to our hero host, Of the Fourteenth Jungleers:

Then we’ll march along to the fighting song Of the Fourteenth Jungleers.

4.

Cross Atlantic’s foam, far away from home, Here’s our grand and gallant story:

We’ve fought deadly sin, and we’ve fought to win; We have smashed our way to glory.

From the bloody Rhine to the Russian line, We have crushed the Hun, don’t fear;

And all the Nazi might couldn’t stand the fight Of the Fourteenth Jungleers!
 

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Acknowledgements:
84th Organization Day:  August 14, 1945
Copyright © 2013  14th Infantry Regiment Association
Last modified: February 12, 2015