The Iron Ranger Battalion is one of the most historic and decorated units in the United States Army. We trace our heritage to the 11th Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. The 16th Infantry Regiment has fought in every major conflict since the Civil War except for Korea. The Regiment has a proud heritage recognized by many. GEN Dwight Eisenhower said of the 16th Infantry, "You are one of the finest regiments in our Army... I am beginning to think that your regiment is sort of a Praetorian Guard which goes along with me and gives me luck."
From the fields of Gettysburg to the sands of Iraq, when the nation needed the best, it called for the Rangers of the 16th Infantry Regiment.
The Iron Rangers of today strive to uphold the glorious heritage and high standards in the U.S. Army. We stand ready to defend our country and serve to the utmost of our abilities. We live by our motto, "Semper Paratus" (Always Prepared) and ascribe to the motto of the Big Red One:
"No mission too difficult. No sacrifice too great. Duty First."
The Regimental Shield:
The shield is the fur vair, white and blue, from the arms of Fleville, France. This town was captured by the 16th Infantry on 4 October 1918 after very heavy fighting in the Meuse-Argonne campaign of World War I.
The cross arrow and bolo recall the Indian and Philippine fighting and the five-bastioned fort was the badge of the V Corps in Cuba.
The crest is the white Maltese cross of the V Corps in the civil war and it represents the desperate fighting in the Wheatfield and Devil's Den at Gettysburg where the Regiment lost approximately 50 percent of its effective strength.
The motto Always Prepared has been used by the Regiment since 1908.
More History of the 16th Infantry Regiment
(click here)
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