U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment
Active	1851 - Present
Country	USA
Branch	Army National Guard
Type	Regiment
Role	Infantry
Garrison/HQ	New York City & Long Island
Commanders
Notable commanders	Michael Corcoran, Thomas Francis Meagher, "Wild Bill" Donovan
Culture and history
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)

The 69th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), New York National Guard is a 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 and in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Image File history File links 69th_Infantry. ... Seal of the National Guard Bureau Seal of the Army National Guard Seal of the Air National Guard Seal of the National Guard Missile Defense The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air... Michael Corcoran (1827 - 1863) was an Irish immigrant who served in the Union army during the American Civil War. ... Thomas Francis Meagher aka: OMeagher, or Meagher of the Sword (August 3, 1823 – July 1, 1867) was an Irish revolutionary, who also served in the United States Army as a Brigadier General during the U.S. Civil War. ... William Donovan William Joseph Donovan (January 1, 1883 – February 8, 1959) was born in Buffalo, New York on New Years Day, 1883, and is best remembered today as wartime head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). ... Garryowen, also known as Garry Owen (and Garyowen, Gary Owen and Gary Owens), is an Irish dance tune [[MIDI file ]] of the 1800s which became the marching tune for the US_7th_Cavalry_Regiment during the late 1800s. ... The Irish Wolfhound is a breed of hound (a sighthound), bred to hunt. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Irvin McDowell Joseph E. Johnston P.G.T. Beauregard Strength 28,452 effectives 32,232 effectives Casualties 2,896 (460 killed, 1,124 wounded, 1,312 captured/missing) 1,982 (387 killed, 1,582 wounded, 13 missing) The First Battle... McClellan and Johnston of the Peninsula Campaign The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular Campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Joseph E. Johnston G. W. Smith Strength 41,797 41,816 Casualties 5,031 (790 killed, 3,594 wounded, 647 captured/missing) 6,134 (980 killed, 4,749 wounded, 405 captured/missing) The Battle of Seven Pines... Battle of Beaver Dam Creek Conflict American Civil War Date June 26, 1862 Place Hanover County, Virginia Result Union victory The Battle of Beaver Dam Creek, also known as the Battle of Mechanicsville or Ellerson’s Mill, took place on June 26, 1862 in Hanover County, Virginia as part... Battle of Gaines Mill Conflict American Civil War Date June 27, 1862 Place Hanover County, Virginia Result Confederate victory The Battle of Gaines Mill, also known as the First Battle of Cold Harbor or the Battle of Chickahominy River, took place on June 27, 1862, in Hanover County, Virginia, as... Battle of Malvern Hill Conflict American Civil War Date July 1, 1862 Place Henrico County, Virginia Result Union victory The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter’s Farm, took place on July 1, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength 87,000 45,000 Casualties 12,401 (2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 captured/missing) 10,316 (1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 captured/missing) The Battle of Antietam (also... --24. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Joseph Hooker Robert E. Lee Stonewall Jackson† Strength 133,868 60,892 Casualties 16,839 (1,574 killed, 9,554 wounded, 5,711 missing) 13,156 (1,683 killed, 9,277 wounded, 2,196 missing) The Battle of Chancellorsville was... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America Commanders George G. Meade Robert E. Lee Strength 93,921 71,699 Casualties 23,055 (3,155 killed, 14,531 wounded, 5,369 captured/missing) 22,231 (4,708 killed, 12,693 wounded, 5,830 captured/missing) The Battle of... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Ulysses S. Grant Robert E. Lee Strength Army of the Potomac, Army of the James Army of Northern Virginia Casualties 260 440 (27,805 paroled) The Battle of Appomattox Courthouse was the final engagement of Robert E. Lees Army... The Second Battle of the Marne, was a World War I battle fought from July 15 to July 18, 1918 near the Marne River. ... Combatants United States Germany Commanders John J. Pershing Georg von der Marwitz Strength American Expeditionary Force German Fifth Army Casualties 7,000 2000 dead and 5500 wounded The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12 - 15, 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Force and... The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was a major battle of World War I. It was the biggest operation and victory of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in that war. ... Combatants United States Japan Commanders Richmond K. Turner Ralph C. Smith Seizo Ishikawa Strength 6, 470 400 troops, 400 labourers Casualties 66 killed, 185 wounded 700 killed, 3 Japanese captured, 101 Korean labourers captured The Battle of Makin was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought... Combatants United States Japan Commanders Richmond K. Turner, Holland Smith Yoshitsugu Saito Strength 71,000 31,000 Casualties 3,426 killed; 13,160 wounded 24,000 KIA and 5,000 suicides; 921 prisoners The battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on... Combatants United States United Kingdom (naval involvement only) Empire of Japan Commanders Simon Bolivar Buckner† Joseph Stilwell Mitsuru Ushijima† Strength 548,000 marines 107,000 regulars 24,000 militia Casualties 12,500 killed or missing 38,000 wounded 33,096 non-combat wounded 38 ships lost 763 aircraft lost 110... The 2003 Invasion of Iraq was the first military act of the Iraq War, and was launched by the United States and the United Kingdom on March 20, 2003, with support from some other governments, making up what was described as the coalition of the willing. After about three weeks... Nickname: Big Apple Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ... The 42d Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War I and World War II, and is the division of the New York National Guard. ... The American Revolution was a political movement that ended British control of the south-eastern coastal area of North America, resulting in the formation of the United States of America in 1776 and sparking the American Revolutionary War. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert Edward Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Combatants Allied Powers: United Kingdom France Italy Russia United States Serbia Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Germany Ottoman Empire Commanders Douglas Haig John Jellicoe Ferdinand Foch Georges Clemenceau Nicholas II Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Reinhard Scheer Franz Josef I Conrad von Hötzendorf Ä°smail Enver Ferdinand I Casualties... This article is becoming very long. ... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the...

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!" It's Motto is "Gentle when stroked - Fierce when provoked" in reference to the Irish Wolfhounds on it's crest and dress cap badges of 1861. Note: This page contains phonetic information presented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) using Unicode. ... The Irish Brigade was a brigade in the French army composed of Irish exiles. ... The Battle of Fontenoy was fought at Fontenoy in the Austrian Netherlands on May 11, 1745, during the War of Austrian Succession. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

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 harp. The Irish Wolfhound is a breed of hound (a sighthound), bred to hunt. ... The Shamrock The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, is a three-leaved young white clover, sometimes (rarely nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí). The shamrock was traditionally used for... Generals Burnside, Hancock, Couch, Ferro, Patrick, Wilcox, Cochrane, Buford and others. ...

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. October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Immigration is the act of moving to or settling in another country or region, temporarily or permanently. ... Great Famine can refer to multiple historical events that refer to themselves as the Great Famine. Great Famine of 1315-1317 - Northern European famine of the 14th century. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Michael Corcoran (1827 - 1863) was an Irish immigrant who served in the Union army during the American Civil War. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... The Prince of Wales Feathers. This Heraldic badge of the Heir Apparent is derived from the ostrich feathers borne by Edward, the Black Prince. ... Starvation during the famine The Irish Potato Famine, also called The Great Famine or The Great Hunger (Irish: An Gorta Mór), is the name given to a famine which struck Ireland between 1846 and 1849. ... Fort Sumter, located in Charleston, South Carolina, harbor, was named after General Thomas Sumter. ... The Army of Virginia was organized as a major unit of the Union Army and operated briefly and unsuccessfully in 1862 in the American Civil War. ...

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. Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Irvin McDowell Joseph E. Johnston P.G.T. Beauregard Strength 28,452 effectives 32,232 effectives Casualties 2,896 (460 killed, 1,124 wounded, 1,312 captured/missing) 1,982 (387 killed, 1,582 wounded, 13 missing) The First Battle... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... ... Thomas Francis Meagher aka: OMeagher, or Meagher of the Sword (August 3, 1823 – July 1, 1867) was an Irish revolutionary, who also served in the United States Army as a Brigadier General during the U.S. Civil War. ... This article concerns the rank and title of Captain. ... A zouave from 1888. ...

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% casualites. The Irish Brigade was virtually destroyed at the Battle of Fredericksburg, suffering higher casualites than it had at Antietam. The day after the battle, the 69th was issued its famed "2nd Colors", 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. Brigade is a term from military science which refers to military echelon under a division, above a regiment where that exists as such, nowadays often a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Some Irish Brigade soldiers at Harrisons Landing, Virginia The Irish Brigade was an infantry brigade that served in the American Civil War, consisting predominantly of Irish immigrants. ... Lee and McClellan of the Seven Days The Seven Days Battles was a series of six major battles over the seven days from June 25 to July 1, 1862, near Richmond, Virginia, in the American Civil War. ... Battle of Malvern Hill Conflict American Civil War Date July 1, 1862 Place Henrico County, Virginia Result Union victory The Battle of Malvern Hill, also known as the Battle of Poindexter’s Farm, took place on July 1, 1862 in Henrico County, Virginia as part of the Peninsula Campaign... For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. ... Combatants Allied Powers: United Kingdom France Italy Russia United States Serbia Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Germany Ottoman Empire Commanders Douglas Haig John Jellicoe Ferdinand Foch Georges Clemenceau Nicholas II Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Reinhard Scheer Franz Josef I Conrad von Hötzendorf Ä°smail Enver Ferdinand I Casualties... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength 87,000 45,000 Casualties 12,401 (2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 captured/missing) 10,316 (1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 captured/missing) The Battle of Antietam (also... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength 87,000 45,000 Casualties 12,401 (2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 captured/missing) 10,316 (1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 captured/missing) The Battle of Antietam (also... --24. ... This article is about the legislature abolished in 1801. ... John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), also referred to as John F. Kennedy, JFK, John Kennedy, or Jack Kennedy, was the 35th President of the United States. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Joseph Hooker Robert E. Lee Stonewall Jackson† Strength 133,868 60,892 Casualties 16,839 (1,574 killed, 9,554 wounded, 5,711 missing) 13,156 (1,683 killed, 9,277 wounded, 2,196 missing) The Battle of Chancellorsville was... Patrick Kelly (? – June 14, 1864) was an Irish-American military officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America Commanders George G. Meade Robert E. Lee Strength 93,921 71,699 Casualties 23,055 (3,155 killed, 14,531 wounded, 5,369 captured/missing) 22,231 (4,708 killed, 12,693 wounded, 5,830 captured/missing) The Battle of... Wheatfield may refer to: Wheatfield, New York Wheatfield, Indiana This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

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. A ghetto is an area where people from a specific racial or ethnic background or united in a given culture or religion live as a group, voluntarily or involuntarily, in milder or stricter seclusion. ... McLean house, April 1865. ...

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. The Grand Review of the Armies was a military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., on May 23 and May 24, 1865, following the close of the American Civil War. ... The Spanish-American War took place in 1898, and resulted in the United States of America gaining control over the former colonies of Spain in the Caribbean and Pacific. ... Tampas skyline For alternate meanings, see Tampa (disambiguation) Tampa is a city located in Hillsborough County on the west coast of Florida. ... The Pancho Villa Expedition was an abortive punitive expedition conducted by the United States against the military forces of Mexican Revolutionary General Pancho Villa in retaliation for Villas invasion of the United States and attack on the village of Columbus, New Mexico. ...

World War I

Colonel Donovan & Father Duffy upon return from France (US Army Signal Corps Photo)

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. Image File history File links Donovan_and_Duffy. ... Image File history File links Donovan_and_Duffy. ... Combatants Allied Powers: United Kingdom France Italy Russia United States Serbia Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Germany Ottoman Empire Commanders Douglas Haig John Jellicoe Ferdinand Foch Georges Clemenceau Nicholas II Woodrow Wilson John Pershing Wilhelm II Reinhard Scheer Franz Josef I Conrad von Hötzendorf Ä°smail Enver Ferdinand I Casualties... National Guard may refer to: A military force: Cypriot National Guard United States National Guard National Guard (France), active during the French Revolution Saudi Arabian National Guard A part of the Military of Kuwait Iraqi National Guard A part of the Military of Venezuela Portuguese Republican National Guard National Guard... The 69th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), New York National Guard is a combat unit out of New York City and part of the 42nd Rainbow Division. ... The 42d Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War I and World War II, and is the division of the New York National Guard. ... This article is about the U.S. military award. ... William Donovan William Joseph Donovan (January 1, 1883 – February 8, 1959) was born in Buffalo, New York on New Years Day, 1883, and is best remembered today as wartime head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). ... Francis Patrick Duffy ( 1862 - 1932 ) was a Roman Catholic priest. ... Argonne can refer to several different things. ... Joyce Kilmer, circa 1918 Alfred Joyce Kilmer (December 6, 1886 – July 30, 1918) was an American journalist and poet; his best-known work is Trees. The poem is notable for its anthropomorphism: the tree in the poem presses its mouth to the earths breast and looks at God and...

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. The Fighting 69th - Starring James Cagney, Pat OBrien. ... Times Square, named after the one-time headquarters of The New York Times, is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, which centers on 42nd Street and Broadway. ... Camp Kilmer was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. ... William Donovan William Joseph Donovan (January 1, 1883 – February 8, 1959) was born in Buffalo, New York on New Years Day, 1883, and is best remembered today as wartime head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). ... Oss is a municipality and a city in the southern Netherlands, in the province of North Brabant. ...

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. Shoulder sleeve patch of the 27th Infantry Division. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Butaritari Atoll is an atoll of 10 islands in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. ... Saipan (IPA: in English) is the largest island and site of the capital of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a chain of 15 tropical islands in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of 120 km² (46. ... Combatants United States United Kingdom (naval involvement only) Empire of Japan Commanders Simon Bolivar Buckner† Joseph Stilwell Mitsuru Ushijima† Strength 548,000 marines 107,000 regulars 24,000 militia Casualties 12,500 killed or missing 38,000 wounded 33,096 non-combat wounded 38 ships lost 763 aircraft lost 110...

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. Lexington Avenue is an avenue on the East Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City that carries southbound one-way traffic from East 131st Street to Gramercy Park at East 21st Street. ... The Borough of Manhattan, highlighted in yellow, lies between the East River and the Hudson River. ... 1 World Trade Center redirects here. ... The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of suicide attacks against civilians of the United States conducted on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. ... (Redirected from 1st Lieutenant) First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... The United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, or simply USMA (or Army, for NCAA purposes), is a United States Army fort and military academy. ... A nuclear power station. ... A log bridge in the French Alps near Vallorcine. ... A disused railway tunnel now converted to pedestrian and bicycle use, near Houyet, Belgium A tunnel is an underground passage. ... For other uses, see Train (disambiguation). ...

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 it's Regimental crest. May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (136th in leap years). ... For other uses of the term, see Iraq war (disambiguation) The 2003 invasion of Iraq (also called the 2nd or 3rd Persian Gulf War) began on March 20, 2003, when forces belonging primarily to the United States and the United Kingdom invaded Iraq arguably without the explicit backing of the... Fort Hood is a census-designated place and US Army base located in Texas. ... The entrance to the NTC. Fort Irwin Military Reservation, located in Fort Irwin, California, U.S., this military facility is used for live-fire training of brigade-sized forces. ... Baghdad ( translit: ) is the capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate. ... Route Irish is the nickname of the 5 mile (8 km) stretch of highway in Baghdad, Iraq linking the the Green Zone to Baghdad International Airport. ... The Green Zone is a 10 km² (4 mile²) area in central Baghdad that is the main base for coalition officials in Iraq. ... This article is becoming very long. ... Militaries use the term killed in action (KIA) as a casualty classification. ... WIA is a three letter abbreviation meaning Wounded in action. ...

Tributes

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: MacArthur landing at Leyte Beach in 1944. ...

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. Image File history File links Cquote1. ... 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.

Image File history File links Cquote2. ...

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: JFK redirects here. ... The Dáil Chamber Dáil Éireann[1] is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ... June 28 is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 186 days remaining. ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ...

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 2d 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". Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Fredericksburg is the name of some places in the United States of America: Fredericksburg, Iowa Fredericksburg, Ohio Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania Fredericksburg, Texas Fredericksburg, Virginia, the site of the Battle of Fredericksburg This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. ... For other meanings of confederate and confederacy, see confederacy (disambiguation) National Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Official language English de facto nationwide Various European and Native American languages regionally Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9... Thomas Francis Meagher aka: OMeagher, or Meagher of the Sword (August 3, 1823 – July 1, 1867) was an Irish revolutionary, who also served in the United States Army as a Brigadier General during the U.S. Civil War. ... --24. ...

This flag is displayed in Leinster House, Dublin. Image File history File links Cquote2. ... Leinster House The former palace of the Duke of Leinster. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 53. ...

Ireland memorial

The Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg unveiled Ireland's national monument to the Fighing 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. For a list of the Dutch Director-Generals who governed New Amsterdam (as New York City was called when it was a Dutch-run settlement) between 1624 and 1664, see: Director-General of New Netherland. ... Michael Rubens Mike Bloomberg (born February 14, 1942) is a prominent American businessman, the founder of Bloomberg L.P., and the current Mayor of the City of New York. ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ballymote (Baile an Mhóta in Irish, meaning town (Baile) of the (an) moat (Mhóta), which once surrounded Ballymote Castle) is a town in County Sligo, Ireland. ... Statistics Province: Connacht County Town: Sligo Code: SO Area: 1,836 km² Population (2006) 60,863 Website: www. ... Michael Corcoran (1827 - 1863) was an Irish immigrant who served in the Union army during the American Civil War. ...

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. Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Michael Corcoran (1827 - 1863) was an Irish immigrant who served in the Union army during the American Civil War. ... Thomas Francis Meagher aka: OMeagher, or Meagher of the Sword (August 3, 1823 – July 1, 1867) was an Irish revolutionary, who also served in the United States Army as a Brigadier General during the U.S. Civil War. ...

Image File history File links Cquote2. ...

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. This article is about the U.S. military award. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... This article is about the U.S. military award. ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alejandro R. Renteria Ruiz

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 165th Infantry, 27th Infantry Division. Place and date: Okinawa, Ryukyu 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.

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." For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. ...

New York City's famous St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue has always been led by the Regiment.[2] St. ... Street sign at Fifth Avenue and East 57th street Fifth Avenue is a major thoroughfare in New York City. ...

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. NCO may mean: a numerically-controlled oscillator in electronics a non-commissioned officer in the military   This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... A club, cudgel, truncheon, night stick, or bludgeon is perhaps the simplest of all mêlée weapons. ...

The movie "The Fighting 69th" was shown at drills to all persons joining the regiment through the 1970's. The Fighting 69th - Starring James Cagney, Pat OBrien. ...

"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 it's veterans, it returned to its traditional Infantry roots in 1997. 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... American troops man an anti-aircraft gun near the Algerian coastline in 1943 Anti-aircraft, or air defense, is any method of combating military aircraft from the ground. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

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 New York Knickerbockers, or Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. ... Cazzie Lee Russell (born June 7, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former pro basketball player and coach. ...

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. Thomas Francis Meagher aka: OMeagher, or Meagher of the Sword (August 3, 1823 – July 1, 1867) was an Irish revolutionary, who also served in the United States Army as a Brigadier General during the U.S. Civil War. ... A civil war is a war in which parties within the same culture, society or nationality fight for political power or control of an area. ...

The 69th Regiment Armory

The main armory on Lexington Avenue at 25th Street has the names of it's Civil War Battles engraved on it's 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, it's other armory was on Main Street in Flushing. Flushing has multiple meanings: For any of several populated places, a village in the United Kingdom, see Flushing, Cornwall a city in the Netherlands, see Flushing, Netherlands a section of the borough of Queens in New York City, see Flushing, New York a city in Genesee County, Michigan, see Flushing...

The unit's main armory on Lexington Avenue 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. 1913 (MCMXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Modern art is a general term used for most of the artistic production from the late 19th century until approximately the 1970s. ... Armory Show poster. ...

After the September 11 2001 attacks it's armory was used an information and counseling center for the families of the victims of the attacks. The September 11, 2001 attacks were a series of suicide attacks against civilians of the United States conducted on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. ...

References

1. ^ "Bloomberg unveils Sligo monument to Fighting 69th", The Irish Times, 2006-08-22.
2. ^ 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. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ...

Father Duffy’s Story, by Fr. Francis Patrick Duffy, George H. Doran Company, 1919. George H. Doran Company was an American book publishing company established in New York City in 1908 by George Henry Doran with James William Billy Corrigan as its General Manager. ...

A Doughboy with the Fighting 69th, by Albert M. and A. Churchill Ettinger, Simon & Schuster, 1992. Jean-François Millet Le Semeur (The Sower) Simon & Schuster logo, circa 1961. ...

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

External links

Current Unit

• 69th Infantry homepage
• 42nd Infantry homepage
• Rainbow Division Veterans Memorial Foundation

Historical Renactors & Civil War History

• Regimental History Site
• Fighting 69th Historical Association
• More of the Fighting 69th