143rd Infantry Regiment (United States)

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143rd Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment Coat of Arms.svg
Coat of arms
ActiveConstituted 15 October 1917
Restructured 16 March 1959
Reorganized 1 March 1963
Inactivated 12 August 2001
Reactivated 1 September 2010–present
Country USA
Branch United States Army
TypeInfantry
Role Airborne infantry
Garrison/HQ1st Battalion – Texas
Nickname(s)Third Texas
Motto(s)Arms Secure Peace
Engagements Spanish–American War
Mexican Border Service
World War I
World War II
War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
143 Inf Rgt DUI.png
Beret flash of 1st Battalion
US Army 143rd ABN INF BN Flash.png

The 143rd Infantry Regiment (Third Texas) is an airborne infantry formation in the Army National Guard and has one battalion active under the Texas Army National Guard.

Contents

Service

Mexican Border Service

In February 1913, Mexico was in a state of turmoil between two rival factions for power and this prevented commanders in Mexican border towns from paying their soldiers. Concern over this caused County Judge and Sheriff of Cameron County, Texas, to appeal to the governor for assistance. In response, Governor Oscar Colquitt sent Texas militia, consisting of two companies of the Third Texas Infantry from Corpus Christi and Houston and two companies of cavalry. They remained until June 1913. [1] The situation got worse, with American citizens being executed in Mexico and various factions conducting cross-border raids into Texas. Some Federal troops were stationed on the border and in August 1913, Colquitt sent the entire Third Texas Infantry to Fort Brown along with a battery of light artillery from Dallas. These were relieved by Federal troops in 1914. [2] By 1916, the Third Texas was stationed at Harlingen while in Federal service. [3] [4]

World War I

In 1917, the 36th Infantry Division was formed from units in Texas and Oklahoma. The Third Texas and part of the Fifth Texas infantry regiments were organized as the 143d Infantry Regiment at Camp Bowie, Texas. [5] The 143d was assigned to the 72d Infantry Brigade of the division. [6] The 143d was then shipped to France in 1918 with the rest of the division for final combat training and then to the front. In September 1918, the 36th Division was attached to the French Fifth Army. [7] The regiment participated in Meuse-Argonne Offensive from 7–28 October 1918. [5] [8]

Interwar period

The 143rd Infantry arrived at the port of Newport News, Virginia on 2 June 1919 on the troopship USS Finland and was demobilized on 3 July 1919 at Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas. Per the National Defense Act of 1920, it was reconstituted in the National Guard on 3 December 1920, assigned to the 36th Division, and allotted to the state of Texas. The regimental headquarters was reorganized and federally recognized on 21 July 1922 at Taylor, Texas. The headquarters was successively relocated to Houston in 1923 and to Waco on 6 February 1931. The regiment, or elements thereof, was called up to perform the following state duties: riot control during a workers’ strike on the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad at Denison, Texas, in 1923; flood relief duties along the Brazos River at Waco in September 1936. Conducted annual summer training most years at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas, from 1922–25, and Camp Hulen, Palacios, Texas, from 1926–39. [9]

World War II

The 36th Infantry Division, including the 143rd Infantry, was mobilized on 25 November 1940, and moved to Camp Bowie, where it arrived on 5 January 1941. It was shipped to Algeria in early 1943.

Salerno & Liri Valley, Italy

The 143d participated in the landing at Salerno, Italy and continued to fight in Italy during the campaign in the Liri Valley from September 1943 to early 1944. Significant engagements included the Battle of San Pietro and the Rapido River crossing.

Anzio

Troops of the 143rd Infantry Regiment, marching out of Tarquinia, Italy, 9 June 1944 SC 190582 - American troops of the 143rd Infantry Regiment, marching out of the town of Tarquinia, Italy, 9 June, 1944. (49626313207).jpg
Troops of the 143rd Infantry Regiment, marching out of Tarquinia, Italy, 9 June 1944

The regiment, now commanded by Colonel Paul D. Adams, was landed to reinforce the Fifth Army on 19 May 1944. It then participated in the breakout and movement to Rome where they were halted by orders to allow other units to catch up.

Southern France

As part of the 36th Division, the 143d landed in Southern France in August 1944. The 22, the IIIrd Battalion releases Grenoble "Capital of the Alps". Moving forward with the 141st Infantry, the regiment was part of the bottleneck that formed the Colmar Pocket. This resulted in the destruction of the German 19th Army.

Vosges, France and Germany

The 143d concluded its combat with actions in Vosges, France and southern Germany. There was a significant battle near Weikersheim, Germany. The regiment then breached the Siegfried Line and moved forward as far as the Rhine river.

Sgt. Timothy Stewart, with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment provides security along the Whatapur Canal in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2012 120710-F-NG741-146 (7630457836).jpg
Sgt. Timothy Stewart, with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment provides security along the Whatapur Canal in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, July 10, 2012

Afghanistan

The 143d was mobilized the day after Thanksgiving in 2011. It conducted mobilization training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and deployed to Afghanistan in February 2012. The primary mission of the 143d was service as security forces for Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) throughout the country. Headquarters and Headquarters Company was assigned to the capital city, Kabul, helping to secure and manage the operation of multiple bases in the area.

War on Drugs/Southern Border Operations

The 143rd's LRS teams participated in southern border operations on active duty as part of Texas Task Force 1, Operation Unity, and Operation Plus-Up. The 143rd also rapidly responded to the call for Operation Lone Star, a controversial and ongoing border security mission. The 143rd spearheaded the major plus up in October, 2021. Within two weeks of the initial call to orders, nearly the entire battalion would be on the border and conducting operations.

Kosovo 2023

In April, 2023 HHC 1-143rd INF (A) deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian as part of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. The force was split between a security forces (SECFOR) company, stationed in the north, a Liaison Monitoring Team (LMT) company station in the south, and HHC being stationed near the capital, Pristina. The main goal of the SECFOR's mission was ensure the Safe and Secure Environment and Freedom of Movement of all people within the border of Kosovo, doing so by conducting presence patrols and assisting both Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and Kosovo Police (KP). The LMTs had a similar overall mission, but were more focused on community outreach. Known as the finger on the pulse of Kosovo, the LMTs were there to be a part of the community and report back on atmospherics and trends. During the time of the unit's deployment, SECFOR would respond to a large shooting in the northwest region of the country. In the south, there were instances of violent crime, rioting and protests that the LMTs responded to. The LMTs, both the American and the partner forces, are arguably the decisive operation the majority of the time. Their feedback and reporting reaches the highest levels of KFOR and the Institutions of Kosovo having the biggest impact on the mission as a whole.

Heraldic information

Coat of arms

Blazon

  • Shield: Azure, a bend wavy argent between an oak tree eradicated and a key fesswise or.
  • Crest: On a wreath of the colors argent and azure a mullet argent encircled by a garland of live oak and olive proper.
  • Motto: Arms Secure Peace

Symbolism

  1. The shield is blue for infantry, while the bend wavy represents the regiment's service on the Mexican border, along the Rio Grande; iIt also represents the Aisne River in France, where the unit served in World War I. The oak tree symbolizes the Meuse-Argonne operation, also in World War I, while the gold key represents service in the Spanish–American War.

Background

  • The coat of arms was approved on 30 June 1926

Lineage and honors

Lineage

The lineage of subordinate units is as follows:

Honors

Campaign participation credit

  • Mexican Border Service:
  • World War I:
  1. Meuse-Argonne
  • World War II:
  1. Naples-Foggia with Arrowhead;
  2. Anzio;
  3. Rome-Arno;
  4. Southern France with Arrowhead (Liberation of Alps, Grenoble)
  5. Rhineland;
  6. Ardennes-Alsace;
  7. Central Europe
  • Global War on Terror:
  1. Afghanistan

Unit decorations

  1. 2–6 December 1944 (3d Battalion and Cannon Company) – COLMAR POCKET
  2. 6–9 December 1944 (2d Battalion) – COLMAR POCKET
  3. 26–29 August 1944 (3d Battalion) – SOUTHERN FRANCE
  4. 15 March 1945 (Company K, 2d Battalion) – CENTRAL EUROPE
  5. 15–17 March 1945 (1st Battalion) – CENTRAL EUROPE
  1. Vosges
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation for:
  1. Italy, 1943
  2. Italy-France, 1944
  3. 8 December 2011 – 1 October 2012 (Detachment, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment) – AFGHANISTAN

Notable individual awards/commendations

Medal of Honor

Distinguished Service Cross

The following unit members were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross:

  • Sergeant Jack G. Berry, September, 1943.
  • Private First Class Charles E. Wheeler, September, 1943.
  • Private First Class Chester M. Dotson, Company I, 2d Battalion, 9 December 1943.
  • Sergeant Robert L. Chudej, Company D, 1st Battalion, 13 December 1943.
  • Private First Class Romeo A. Leclair, 21 January 1944.
  • Second Lieutenant Thomas E. Vierheller, 22 January 1944.
  • Major James Frank Skells, 3d Battalion, 12 February 1944.
  • Private First Class Morgan R. Tompkins, Company F, 2d Battalion, 28 May 1944.
  • First Lieutenant Melvin Richard Clemens, 29 August 1944.
  • Private First Class Elmer E. Kopp, Company F, 2d Battalion, 29 September 1944.
  • Sergeant Edwin G. Masching, 4 October 1944.
  • Staff Sergeant Charley A. Holm, Company I, 2d Battalion, 20 November 1944.
  • Captain Eric C. Anderson, Company G, 2d Battalion, 22 November 1944.
  • First Lieutenant Richard J. Grousset, Company G, 2d Battalion, 22 November 1944.
  • First Sergeant Charles W. Holecek, Company C, 1st Battalion, 6 December 1944.
  • Sergeant Charles E. Hickman, Company M, 3d Battalion, 7 December 1944.
  • Technical Sergeant John J. Wehling, Cannon Company, 8 December 1944.
  • Staff Sergeant Hec Kilrea, Combany K, 2d Battalion, 12 December 1944.
  • Corporal John Kotkovetz, Anti-Tank Company, 12 December 1944.
  • Private First Class Charles Sciortino, Anti-Tank Company, 12 December 1944.
  • Private First Class Wayne H. Brooks, Company L, 3d Battalion, 13–14 December 1944.
  • Private First Class Gerald S. Gordon, Company L, 3d Battalion, 13–14 December 1944.
  • Staff Sergeant David G. Blewett, Company A, 1st Battalion, 14 December 1944.
  • Private First Class Rudolph J. Szafraniec, Company M, 3d Battalion, 15 December 1944.
  • Private Donald N. Winters, Company M, 3d Battalion, 15 December 1945.
  • Sergeant Gurney R. Shields, Company G, 2d Battalion, 17 December 1944.
  • Sergeant Thomas A. Voltero, Company G, 2d Battalion, 17–18 December 1944.
  • Private First Class Santo J. DiSalvo, Company G, 2d Battalion, 18 December 1944.
  • Sergeant Paul W. Oligny, Company C, 1st Battalion, 18 December 1944.
  • Lieutenant Colonel Marion P. Bowden, 2d Battalion, 19–21 January 1945.
  • First Lieutenant Elmer S. Ward, 2–3 February 1945.
  • Staff Sergeant Albert V. Martinez, Company F, 2d Battalion, 10 February 1945.
  • Private Theodore F. Reynolds, Company C, 1st Battalion, 10–11 February 1945.
  • Sergeant Michael Antosky, Company K, 2d Battalion, 15 March 1945.
  • Private First Class Charles H. Sinclair, Company L, 3d Battalion, 15 March 1945.
  • First Lieutenant Malcolm G. Smith Jr., 15 March 1945.
  • Private First Class Charles E. Hooker, Company F, 2d Battalion, 16 March 1945.
  • Captain Kermit H. Selvig, Company C, 1st Battalion, 22 March 1945.
  • First Lieutenant Garland B. Taylor, 23 March 1945.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Pierce, Frank Cushman (1917). A Brief History of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Publishing Company. pp.  78–79.
  2. ↑ Pierce, Frank Cushman (1917). A Brief History of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Publishing Company. p.  82.
  3. ↑ Pierce, Frank Cushman (1917). A Brief History of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Publishing Company. p.  106.
  4. ↑ Texas Adjutant General (1916). Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of Texas. Austin, Texas: State of Texas. p. 136.
  5. 1 2 Garey, Enoch Barton; Ellis, Olin Oglesby & Magoffin, Ralph Van Deman (1920). American Guide Book to France and Its Battlefields. New York: Macmillan. pp. 247–49.
  6. ↑ Chastaine, Ben-Hur (1920). Story of the 36th: the experiences of the 36th division in the world war. Oklahoma City: Harlow Publishing Co. pp.  1–14.
  7. ↑ Chastaine, Ben-Hur (1920). Story of the 36th: the experiences of the 36th division in the world war. Oklahoma City: Harlow Publishing Co. p.  61.
  8. ↑ War Department (1920). Battle participation of organizations of the American expeditionary forces in France, Belgium, and Italy. 1917–1918. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. p. 24.
  9. ↑ Clay, Steven E. (2010). U.S. Army Order of Battle, 1919-1941, Volume 1. The Arms: Major Commands and Infantry Organizations, 1919-41. Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Institute Press. p. 427.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  10. ↑ "Texas National Guard Reorganization Goes Into Effect Friday; Units Listed". Amarillo Globe Times. 12 December 1967. p. 8.
  11. ↑ Castlebury, Glen (18 July 1968). "71st Infantry Brigade Stages Ft. Hood Jump". The Waco News Tribune. pp. 16B.
  12. ↑ Browne, Rich (5 May 1978). "Guardsman train for parachute duty". The Eagle Bryan/College Station. pp. E1.
  13. ↑ Daemmrich, Bob (7 July 1978). "Adventure Training". The Eagle Bryan/College Station. pp. A1.
  14. ↑ Browne, Rich (23 October 1978). "Airborne Operation". pp. 1B.
  15. ↑ "Texas Army National Guard reorganizes". The Eagle Bryan/College Station. 12 April 1980. p. 1.
  16. ↑ Lemmer, Paul. "The Houston Light Guard, A Narrative". Co. G 143rd LRS. Archived from the original on 22 October 2002.
  17. 1 2 Faulkner, Michael (23 September 2001). "Co. G 143d Infantry (LRS)". Unofficial Unit Page for Co. G 143d Infantry (LRS). Archived from the original on 21 December 2001.
  18. ↑ Jacobs, Janet (13 August 2001). "Paratroopers mark retirement of unit with one last jump". Austin American~Statesman. pp. B1, B5.
  19. ↑ Noble, Chris (28 January 2000). "Welcome To the 143d Infantry Detachment (LRS) History Page". 143d Infantry Detachment (LRS), Camp Mabry, Austin, TX Unofficial Home Page. Archived from the original on 7 April 2001.
  20. ↑ "Bravo Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment Deactivation". DVIDS.
  21. ↑ Brokaw, Tom; Williams, Brian; Hanson, Victor Davis (2011). Medal of Honor. New York: Artisan Books. p. 82. ISBN   9781579654627.
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