39th Infantry

== 39th Infantry ==
The 39th Infantry Battalion is one of the main factions in the Zombies timeline (notably the Raider of the Dead series).
In the Raider of the Dead, the 39th Infantry was a large combat unit of the United States Army/Georgia Army National Guard led by Major Francis Sutton on their way out of Afghanistan, volunteering in Georgia to quell the outbreak, as well as rescue any survivors in an evacuation mission.
== History ==
While nothing is known about the 39th Infantry, the unit fought in the Iraq War as backup troops, having earned themselves a reputation within the military ranks and becoming the most decorated unit in the US Army.
The 39th Infantry, on their way out of Iraq, was volunteered by Major Sutton to assist in the evacuation of Georgia from the outbreak. However, when they received the direct order from the government to abandon the cities before all the civilians were evacuated, Sutton and the 39th disobeyed those orders and remained to assist the remaining citizens. When the government began to seal off Georgia, the city was devastated, and evacuation became virtually impossible. The local population panicked, causing the 39th to institute martial law, policing the city through increasingly harsh methods while fighting against hordes of Infected. 
Months later, as the outbreak continued to surround the city, Sutton and the 39th attempted to lead a convoy out of Georgia by road. The evacuation failed horribly when the Infected hordes began to attack them, resulting in the loss of 1,300 civilians and soldiers. After this failed attempt, many of the 39th, including Merle Ray, Sutton's field command, rebelled against Sutton, becoming "The Exiles". Those that remained loyal to Sutton became "The Loyalists".
Civil war broke out between the Exiles and the Loyalists, with the Loyalists eventually winning the conflict until the Exiles began to use all means necessary, managing to weaken them. Sutton executed the remaining mutineers that they captured and displayed their bodies as a warning against future insurrection toward the Exiles. However, this did not stop a local insurgency, comprised of survivors from the abandoned quarantine zone, from appearing to rebel against the Loyalists' police state by siding with the Exiles. Some point later, however, the Loyalists were able to negotiate into a ceasefire and made a deal by trading 25% of their supplies as a sign of their peace treaty.
Roughly five and a half months after Sutton's failed evacuation attempt, he managed to broadcast a message recounting his failure through the wall which was received by the US. This prompted them to send a small Squad of Blue Light Operatives, led by Corporal John Riley, to investigate and search the city for any survivors, as well as to eliminate any remnant of the 39th Infantry.
The Loyalist 39th's power is based on their control over Fort Johns in Georgia, and their heavy armament and supplies.
== Background ==
The 39th Infantry is distinguished by its OCP combat uniforms and military gear, such as plate carriers, patrol caps, and combat helmets.
The Loyalists are always seen wearing their standard-issued ACUs and they appear to be well-maintained and cleaned, given the fact that they're still following their Army standards. Unlike the Exiles, the Loyalists fought conventionally and used small squads and precision attacks to better handle both Infected hordes and Exiles with ease. Surprisingly, despite being more professional soldiers with superior training, the Loyalists usually lost fights with the Exiles since they had fewer numbers and struggled with fighting against their own.
The Exiles wore tattered clothing because they were living in an abandoned QZ and fought against several Infected hordes, but they managed to scavenge clothing, gas masks, and ballistic vests from dead police officers, soldiers, and survivalists to better able to handle the Loyalists. Many of the Exiles are seasoned survivors. Years of living in the ruined Georgia Quarantine Zone have enhanced their survival capabilities. Despite their unkempt appearance and apparent incompetence with firearms, most appear to be physically on par with Jay, evidenced by how one soldier notably managed to slam his head into a glass fridge, then nearly pierced his neck on the glass before being overpowered and killed by Jay. Due to the peace treaty, the Exiles had superior numbers and equipment given to them and managed to outnumber the Loyalists through sheer numbers.
== Members ==
* Francis Sutton - Leader of the Loyalists/Founder of the 39th Infantry
* Mason Jennings - Second-in-Command of the 39th Infantry/the Loyalists
* Merle Ray - Field Commander of the 39th Infantry/Leader of the Exiles
* 1000 Infantrymen (half turned Exiles while half stayed loyal)
== Vehicles, Weaponry, and Equipment ==
As a U.S. infantry battalion, the 39th had access to standard military equipment. But because they were stranded in a hostile environment for so long, some of this valued equipment was lost, forcing them to scavenge for additional firearms. Most soldiers wear standard ACUs, with the notable exception of the Exiles, which wear improvised, stronger armor. Many, if not most, of the battalion's vehicles had been lost either to hostile fire, being destroyed or hijacked by Infected, lack of fuel, or lack of practical use in the unstable, urban environment.
Vehicles
* AH-6 Little Bird
* UH-60 Black Hawk
* HMMWV
* Stryker
Weapons
Assault Rifles/Sniper Rifles/Machine Guns/Submachine Guns
* FN SCAR-H
* Colt M4A1
* Remington ACR
* H&K HK416
* H&K MP5
* H&K UMP
* H&K G36C
* Remington M2010
* Remington 700
* Ruger M77
* Winchester M70
* Steyr Scout Tactical
* M249 SAW
Shotguns
* AA-12
* Winchester 1300
* Remington 870
* Mossberg 590
* M26 Mass
Pistols
* Beretta 92FS
* Colt M1911A1
* Sig Sauer P226/P320
* H&K USP/MK23
* S&W 29/629/686
* Ruger P90
* Walther P99
Heavy Weapons/Grenades
* M67 Grenade
* M203 GL
* M79 GL
* Milkor MGL
* M2-HB
== Trivia ==
* According to Sutton, Ray had all of his staff killed due to their loyalty to the 39th; it is unknown who led the 39th after the executions of their command staff and the deaths of both Ray and Sutton, but given Rhodes' role in the series, it is possible he took over because he is heard giving orders to the 39th as they helped Jay fought against the Infected hordes.
* Rhodes stated that the 39th was the Army's most decorated battalion.