April 2017 Newsletter
The Red Arrow Returns
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the 32nd infantry division, with the 126th Infantry as one of its subordinate regiments, was organized from and comprised of local National Guard units from Michigan and Wisconsin. The division fought with distinction on the western front in Europe, and soldiers of the division were among the first Allied units to enter German-occupied territory. The unit’s tenacity earned it
the nickname “Les Terribles.” The 32nd and 126th were called on again when the United States entered World War II in 1941 following a year of federalized training. The division served in the Pacific Theater and earned distinction by spending 654 consecutive days in combat. Eleven soldiers in the 32nd - three in the 126th -- earned the Medal of Honor. In a ceremony held on 7 January 2017 at Camp Grayling Training Center, the 1st Squadron 126 Cavalry Regiment cased its colors, returning “home” to the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the historic 3rd Battalion 126th Infantry Regiment. The Cavalry colors and troop guidons were cased signaling the inactivation of the Squadron. The Infantry colors and guidons were unfurled to activate the “Iron Battalion.” During the uncasing ceremony, soldiers of the 126th received their “Red Arrow” insignia to wear as part of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), once again a critical component in the combat lineage of the famed 32nd Division. The ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Michigan and Wisconsin National Guard, including The Adjutant General of Michigan, The Adjutant General of Wisconsin, and Assistant Adjutant General of Wisconsin (former 32nd IBCT Commander). ~ by SSG Virgil Akins
New Archive Room
The new 126 IN Regiment Archives room is nearing completion. The consolidation of 4different storage rooms into one location has been one of the several goals of the ongoing 126th Archives project. The New Space will more than double the available storage and