139th Infantry Regiment (United States)

The 139th Infantry Regiment claims history from three different states. The regiment was originally formed for service in World War I from Kansas and Missouri troops. On 1 October 1917, the 3rd Kansas and 4th Missouri Infantry were consolidated to create the 139th U.S. Infantry Regiment, assigned to the 35th "Santa Fe" Division.[1] The regiment arrived in England on 7 May 1918 and began training and transit for combat in France.[2] The regiment made its first combat action on 26 September 1918 in the Sommedieue sector. As part of the 70th Brigade, it attacked alongside the 140th Infantry Regiment. After taking their objectives here, the regiment advanced to the Argonne Sector and assaulted the German positions. By 1 October, the 139th was relieved by elements of the 1st Infantry Division and they had suffered 65% casualties.[3] The regiment was deactivated on 8 May 1919 at Camp Funston, Kansas. In 1954, the 139th was reorganized in North Carolina from elements of the 119th and 120th Infantry Regiments and began its service at the North Carolina RTI in 1958 by training Officer Candidates. On 1 April 1959, the 3rd Battalion of the regiment was reflagged as the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron of the 252nd Armor Regiment, North Carolina Army National Guard. As of 2012, the 139th Regiment has begun training Non-Commissioned Officers on artillery operation.