104th Infantry Regiment ( United States ) The 104th Infantry Regiment traces its history to 14 November 1639 , when it was first mustered as the Springfield Train Band in Springfield , Massachusetts . In 1662 the unit was formed into the Hampshire Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia . It later served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution , with Union forces in the American Civil War , and as a federalized Massachusetts National Guard regiment with the U . S . Army during Spanish - American War , Mexican Border Campaign , World War I and World War II . The last active element of the regiment , the 1st Battalion , was deactivated in 2005 and the soldiers and lineage transferred to the 1st Battalion , 181st Infantry Regiment . History . Formation and Colonial operations . First formed on 14 November 1639 as the Springfield Train Band , at Springfield , Massachusetts . This original band trained on the highlands , which George Washington later selected as the site of the United States National Armory . Organized on 7 May 1662 as part of the Massachusetts Militia from several existing Western Massachusetts training bands , and named " ' The Hampshire Regiment , " because the majority of Western Massachusetts – including the region ' s de facto capital , Springfield – was , at the time , located within Hampshire County . ( After the American Revolution , Hampshire County was split into three separate counties , currently administered by two different New England states – Hampden County , Massachusetts , with a capital at the City of Springfield ; Hartford County , Connecticut , with a capital at the City of Hartford , and the current Hampshire County , Massachusetts , with a capital at the college town of Northampton . ) The Hampshire Regiment expanded on 16 November 1748 to form the 1st ( South ) Hampshire Regiment ( i . e . near Springfield , ) and the 2nd ( North ) Hampshire Regiment , ( i . e . near Northampton and west . ) The 1st Hampshire Regiment expanded 1 January 1763 to form the 1st Hampshire Regiment ( near Springfield , ) and the Berkshire Regiment , ( Northampton and west , encompassing the relatively recently settled Berkshires . ) Massachusetts Army and the American Revolution . The Hampshire Regiment formed the following Massachusetts Militia units on 27 May 1775 for service at Boston : Danielson ' s Bn . , Fellows ' Bn , Patterson ' s Bn . and Woodbridge ' s Bn . The Hampshire Regiment formed the following Continental Army units : 1st Massachusetts Regiment , 13th Massachusetts Regiment , Porter ’ s Regiment . 1st and 2nd Hampshire Regiments and Berkshire Regiment reorganized 29 November 1772 as the 9th Division . ( Hampshire and Berkshire ) Volunteer Light Infantry Companies . These companies serve as the light and flank companies for the Massachusetts Line . Flank ( Volunteer Militia ) companies in Federal Service September – October 1814 as elements of the Elite Brigade at Boston . 9th Division , reorganized 1 July 1834 to consist of the Regiment of Light Infantry ( Volunteer Militia ) . Regiment of Light Infantry reorganized and redesignated 24 April 1840 in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia as the 10th Regiment of Light Infantry Civil War . Redesignated 26 February 1855 as the 10th Regiment of Infantry . Mustered into Federal Service 21 June 1861 at Springfield , Massachusetts , as the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment ; mustered out of Federal service 6 July 1864 at Springfield . Reorganized 11 November 1868 in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia as the 2nd Regiment of Infantry . National Guard and overseas service . Mustered into Federal service 10 May 1898 as the 2nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry for service in Cuba ; mustered out of Federal service 3 November 1898 . ( Massachusetts Volunteer Militia redesignated 15 November 1907 as the Massachusetts National Guard ) . Mustered into Federal service 18 June 1916 for service at the Mexico Border ; mustered out of Federal service 31 October 1916 . Mustered into Federal service 25 March 1917 at Westfield , Massachusetts . ; drafted into Federal service 5 August 1917 . Redesignated 22 August 1917 as 104th Infantry , an element of the 26th Division for service in the war . ( Reinforced by elements of 6th and 8th Massachusetts Infantry . ) Demobilized 25 April 1919 at Camp Devens , Massachusetts . Reorganized 31 March 1920 in the Massachusetts National Guard at Springfield , Massachusetts as the 104th Infantry . Redesignated 30 September 1921 as the 104th Infantry Regiment , an element the 26th Division ( later redesignated as the 26th Infantry Division ) . Inducted into federal service 16 January 1941 at Springfield , Massachusetts . Inactivated 29 December 1945 at Camp Myles Standish , Massachusetts . Reorganized and federally recognized 29 November 1946 at Springfield , Massachusetts . Redesignated 1 May 1959 under the Combat Arms Regimental System as the 1st Battle Group , 104th Infantry Reorganized 1 March1963 , to consist of two battalions assigned to the 3rd Brigade of the 26th Division . Reorganized 30 September 1992 , 1st and 2nd Battalions are integrated to form 1st Battalion 104th Infantry . Reorganized 1 October 1995 to consist of the 1st Battalion ( Light Infantry ) , element of the 26th Infantry Brigade , 29th Infantry Division . Inactivated , 1st Battalion 104th Infantry Regiment inactivated on 1 December 2005 , and the remaining units were reconstituted and integrated into the 1st Battalion 181st Infantry Regiment . 1918 newspaper article . < br > From " The Republican " newspaper of Springfield , Massachusetts < br > Enemy Storm Troops Hurled Back By Impetuous Yankees < br > Regiment Reveals Its Valor and Fighting Qualities in the Fierce Combats of Bois Brule . < br > By AMICO J . BARONE Apremont ! The name spells horror and glory for the 104th . In April 1918 , the troops from Springfield , Massachusetts achieved a distinction never before won by American troops in the entire history of our armed forces . So valorously did they conduct themselves in the Bois Brule , a wood close to Apermont , that the French Government decorated the colors of the regiment with the Croix de Guerre . It was the first time such an honor had ever come to an American unit . In addition the regimental commander and 116 other officers and men had the bronze cross with its red and green ribbon pinned on their breasts . The regimental citation read : " For greatest fighting spirit and self - sacrifice during action of April10 , 12 and 13 , 1918 . Suffering from heavy bombardments , and attack by very strong German Forces , the regiment succeeded in preventing their dangerous advance , and with greatest energy reconquered , at the point of bayonet , the few ruined trenches which had to be abandoned at the first onset , at the same tome making prisoners " . In a general order issued a few days after the Bois Brule engagements , the French general Passaga declared : " During this fight the American troops gave proof not only of their splendid courage , which we know , but also of a brotherhood in arms which was absolute and ever present . With such men as these the cause of liberty is sure to triumph . " Continued below : The First American Croix de Guerre to be awarded to an entire regiment . This Medal was also given to Captain George Roberts , and the bronze frame was specially cast with the infantry tools of the day around the frame . The frame mold was broke and never reproduced to be one of a kind . The picture is Colonel George A . Roberts , Commander of the 104th Infantry Westfield Massachusetts . Continued : Bois Brule was in La Reine sector on the southeasterly face of the St . Mihiel salient , a rough and ragged terrain where virtually all the tactical advantage lay with the enemy . In 1914 the sector had seen violent fighting , but as the war of attrition developed , it became moderately quiet with a sort of tacit understanding between the opposing forces to permit the situation to remain unchanged . The town of Apremont , whose name will be forever linked up with the 104th Regiment , lay outside the Allied lines . In the distance , grim and desolate Mont Sec loomed up as a splendid vantage point from which the enemy could observe the American positions . Difficult Spot to Defend . The 26th Division took over the sector the first of April , the left of the line being assigned to the 104th . On the immediate left of the Western Massachusetts outfit was the 10th Colonial French Division . The regiments sub sector in the Bois Brule formed an awkward , narrow salient , hard to defend . The trenches were in poor condition , there was inadequate protection against shelling , and the marshy land made trench drainage difficult . The third battalion of the 104th , under command of Capt . George A . Roberts of Springfield , MA . , immediately went into the forward position . The battalion commander , noting the small salient extending out and realizing how simple it would be for the enemy to pinch in on it and make prisoners of the men holding the position , asked and received permission to straighten out the line . K Co . , under the command of First Lieutenant George Hosmer of Springfield , MA . , performed this operation successfully . For some unaccountable reason , the French had persisted in maintaining the small and unimportant salient and had often lost prisoners to the enemy who would come over and successfully pinch it out . During the first three of four days the outfit held the sector , it was subjected to a harassing enemy fire . On 5 April the shelling grew in intensity and for the following four days the area was severely pounded by the enemy artillery . Evidently , an action was impending and the Germans were bent on shaking the moral of the troops by the concentration of shells . Early on the morning of the 10th , the enemy blasting became particularly severe . The huge projectiles from the German minenwerfers came thundering down on the positions held by the third Battalion , shattering trenches and subjecting the men to terrific punishment . Capt . Roberts sent back word that help was needed to evacuate the wounded and suggested that the bandsmen be used as stretcher bearers . The suggestion was acted upon and the valiant work these men did under fire won for several of their number decorations from the French and American Governments . . As the dawn crept over Bois Brule on 10 April , the enemy troops made their appearance on the front held by the 3rd Battalion – a hillcrest . They came on relentlessly , but that assault wave of storm troops failed to dislodge the men of Western Massachusetts . It was a severe test of arms in which much technique of warfare was forgotten by the green Yanks who nevertheless battled vigorously and effectively to beat back the veteran enemy . The artillery fire also was of great aid in stemming that first tide . Thus for the moment the 3rd Battalion had checked the attack on the night of the 11th despite heavy enemy shelling , the second Battalion came in to relieve the 3rd which had held the position for 10 days . On the 12th the enemy came over again with renewed energy . This time the French on the American ' s left fell back , exposing the left flank of the Yanks . But the Americans rose to this emergency and by a vigorous counter - attack , driving back remnants of enemy groups . Gives Credit To Men By the 13th the affair of Bois Brule was over and the 104th had conclusively demonstrated that it could withstand the attack of seasoned troops . The men had revealed courage and resourcefulness and the officers had shown real leadership under trying conditions . A day or two later Capt . Roberts was promoted to the rank of major for the splendid manner in which he had handled his battalion . An incident characteristic of his modesty occurred at that time . The divisional commander , Gen . Edwards drove up to battalion headquarters and seeing Capt . Roberts he called him over to congratulate him . Capt . Roberts said : " The credit belongs to the men of the battalion , General , not to me . " The General answered : " You would say that . " On 28 April , the regiment was lined up at Bocq , not far from where it had demonstrated its mettle , and there Gen . Passaga decorated the colors of the outfit and scores of men and officers with the Croix de Guerre . His voice trembling with emotion , the French officer pinned the red and green ribbons to the 104th colors , saying : " I am proud to decorate the flag of a regiment which has shown such fortitude and courage . " Capt . Roberts was among those decorated with the French cross . He was also recommended for the American Distinguished Serviced Cross . Later , in the Bouconville sector , he was slightly wounded and in July he was transferred to provost marshal duty in Lanon . Bibliography . Albertine , Connell . The Yankee Doughboy . Boston : Brandon , 1968 . Print . ( Retired General ’ s reminiscences of his experiences as a young officer with the 104th Infantry Regiment in France during WWI . ) American Battle Monuments Commission . 26th Division Summary of Operations in the World War . Washington D . C . : American Battle Monuments Commission , 1944 . Print . ( Pamphlet with large , fold - out , annotated maps that detail the combat operations of the YD in WWI . ) Benwell , Harry A . History of the Yankee Division . Boston : Cornhill , 1919 . Print . ( A comprehensive narrative history of the YD in WWI published immediately after the war . ) Cole , Hugh M . The Lorraine Campaign . Vol . The European Theater of Operations . Washington : Center of Military History , 1950 . Print . United States Army in World War II . ( one volume from the official U . S . Army History of WWII . Outlines the combat operations in the Lorraine in WWII . This was the initial sustained action by the YD in the war . ) Cole , Hugh M . The Ardennes : Battle of the Bulge . Vol . The European Theater of Operations . Washington : Center of Military History , 1965 . Print . United States Army in World War II . ( one volume from the official U . S . Army History of WWII . Outlines the combat operations in the Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge in WWII . In this action the YD played a pivotal role in the defeat of the German offensive . ) Connole , Dennis A . The 26th Yankee Division on Coast Patrol Duty 1942 – 1943 . ( This book is a chronicle of the training and the stateside patrol duties of the YD prior to deployment to Europe from January 1941 to 1944 . It is a good source for the story of the pre - Pearl Harbor training and maneuvers . It focuses on the 181st Infantry Regiment . ) Courtney Richard , Normandy to the Bulge : An American Infantry GI in Europe during World War II , Chicago : Southern Illinois Press , 2000 . ( A memoir which offers a spirited view of the war in Europe from the point of view of a PFC . ) Fifield , James H . A History of the 104th U . S . Infantry AEF 1917 – 1919 . 1946 . Print . ( Springfield newspaper man wrote this comprehensive history of the 104th Infantry Regiment from the organization in Westfield from the existing Mass . National Guard , through WWI and re - deployment . ) George , Albert E . , and Edwin H . Cooper . Pictoral History of the Twenty - Sixth Division United States Army . Boston : Ball , 1920 . Print . ( A volume of Signal Corps photographs and a narrative history of the YD in WWI . Includes unit pictures down to the company level and a fold - out panoramic of the entire YD on review at Camp Devens in 1919 . ) Gissen , Max , ed . History of a Combat Regiment 1639 – 1945 . Salzburg , Austria , 1945 . Print . ( This is a theater - produced history of the 104th Infantry Regiment in WWII . It was created in Austria during occupation duty in 1945 and copies were distributed to all members of the regiment . ) Historical & Pictoral Review National Guard of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1939 . Baton Rouge : Army and Navy , 1939 . Print . ( This large yearbook , was a depression era project of the WPA . It includes a comprehensive historical sketch of the Mass . National Guard , and pictures and individual company histories for each unit . ) Palladino , Ralph A . , ed . History of a Combat Regiment 1639 – 1945 . Baton Rouge : Army and Navy , 1960 . Print . ( This was a re - editing of the theater produced pamphlet of the same name . It was produced for distribution to 104th Infantry Veterans . It uses the same narrative and maps as the 1945 product , but augments them with collected personal photos and U . S . Signal Corps photos to create a yearbook - style history . ) Passega , General . Le Calvaire De Verdun . Paris : Charled Levauzelle , 1927 . Print . ( This book is a history of the battles around Verdun in WWI written by the French Corps Commander that commanded the YD during the early campaigns of WWI . It includes descriptions of the actions of the YD in the Toul Sector and the actions of the 104th Infantry at Apremont . ) Sibley , Frank P . With the Yankee Division in France . Norwood , MA : Little Brown and , 1919 . Print . ( A Boston newspaper man who served as an “ embedded reporter ” with the YD from the founding throughout WWI . It is a comprehensive and readable account of the war . ) Taylor , Emerson G . New England in France 1917 – 1919 . Boston : Houghton Mifflin , 1920 . Print . ( Another of the trio of volumes on the YD in the war published by newspaper men immediately following the war . Good narrative history . ) Westbrook , Stillman F . Those Eighteen Months . Hartford : Case Lockwood and Brainard , 1934 . Print . ( This is a personal printing of war letters by the commander of the 104th Machine Gun Company in WWI . It is an interesting and witty look at the war as it was being experienced by CPT Westbrook . )