Whenever you see an athlete get drafted, picked up, or traded to a team they all pretty much say the same thing. “I am proud to be a part of the (fill in the blank) organization which has a proud history of winning and excellence.” A lot of times teams will bring in players from the “glory days” to give speeches about winning culture from the past and so on. They are always looking at the past accomplishments of the team as they strive to build upon that in the future.
The same is true with Army units. When we come to a place strait out of boot camp, or transfer from another battalion we see the colors and streamers of the unit and are confronted with the notion of living up to that charge. It is the responsibility of the leaders within the battalion (along with the historian) to make that history known to the newcomers and explain to them the example that has been given.
For me, the part of the 22nd Infantry Regiment’s history that makes me question my own courage the most is the most famous battle in American and maybe even world history, D-Day. The courage our veteran ancestors displayed is something I would only hope to embody in the battles I would face in my time. I can only imagine the angst of the soldiers when the ramps dropped, and they ran or swam to the beach.
“On June 6th, the 22nd Infantry, under the command of Colonel Hervey A. Tribolet, went ashore into the teeth of Festung Europa. The channel was rough; even for seasoned seamen the weather was heavy.
The assault plan attached the Third Battalion to the Eighth Infantry Regiment, and at H plus 75, this battalion hit the beach in small landing craft, followed by the First and Second Battalions, landing abreast in LCI's. On landing, the Third Battalion rapidly turned 90 degrees right and commenced to reduce all enemy fortifications on the beach; the First Battalion, now commanded by Lt. Col. S. W. Brumby, moved inland and turned right to seize Crisbecq, a fortified locality. The assault on Utah beach against isolated German Riflemen and machine-gunners was more like guerrilla fighting according to an officer.
The Second Battalion, with Major E. W. Edwards in command, moved farther inland and then turned right to seize Azeville, a similarly fortified position. Although the Quineville ridge was not seized during the first day's operations, the landing was successful, and by nightfall the regiment had a firm toe-hold ashore.
The attack was resumed on D plus 1, and an attempt made to seize Crisbecq, and Azeville, but the attack was repulsed with heavy losses sustained by the First and Second Battalions. Task Force "Barber," under the command of Brig. Gen. Henry A. Barber, was formed, and the Third Battalion was relieved of its beach fortifications mission and brought inland to attack Azeville. Crisbecq, still in German hands, was to be contained and by-passed. Formation for the main attack was a column of battalions in the order Third, Second, First, with Lt. Col. John Dowdy now commanding the First Battalion. The attack was well planned, and fires were carefully coordinated.
The concrete fortifications of Azeville fell on June 9, after stubborn resistance on the part of the Germans had been overcome, and the Third Battalion moved up in preparation for an attack on the emplacements of Azeville.
With the First and Second Battalions protecting its right flank, the Third Battalion assaulted and seized Azeville and its German garrison. Enemy artillery and mortar fire was causing increasingly large numbers of casualties, and the strength of all three battalions had been appreciably reduced. Azeville having been captured, the attack toward the Quineville ridge was resumed without delay.
The Second Battalion swung wide to the left and attacked down the ridge toward the Channel; the First and Third Battalions attacked north with tanks. The number of German dead found in the position after occupation attested to the enemy's determination to retain the ridge. The distinctive sound of the nebelwerfer (a rocket-type mortar) was commonplace and came to be known as the "Screaming Mimi."
On the day following the consolidation of the Quineville ridge, for the first time since landing no attack was ordered. Personnel were directed to shave and bathe themselves to the limit of existing opportunities.” – Account of D-Day, 22nd Reg
The 4th Infantry Division would have 200 casualties on D-Day. The fighting on Utah beach was not as intense as in other areas but was brutal none the less. The first senior officer ashore on Utah was the irrepressible Brigadier General Teddy Roosevelt Jr, son of the former president and cousin of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Teddy Jr had named his jeep ‘Rough Rider’ in his father’s honor. On seeing that the 8th Infantry Regiment had landed in the wrong place, Roosevelt rightly decided that it would not be wise to redeploy. So instead, he embodied that American Fighting Spirit and said, “We’ll start the war from here!”
Chaplain William Boice would say of the 22nd Infantry Regiment, “A fighting machine trained to an efficiency not matched at any time during the war. It was an aggressive, battle-scared, confidently experienced regiment bent on the destruction of the enemy.” We represent these men every time we stand in formation behind our colors and guidon.
This is the fighting spirit and history of excellence that our veteran forefathers I the 22nd had and lived by. There motto in life was the same as ours, “Deeds not Words”. It’s not just a saying, it is a lifestyle. Next time you face something challenging remember that you are a proud part of this heritage.
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