120th Infantry Regiment (United States) facts for kids
The 120th Infantry Regiment is a special group of soldiers in the United States Army National Guard. They are sometimes called the "Third North Carolina." This regiment is part of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team within the North Carolina Army National Guard.
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What is the 120th Infantry Regiment?
The 120th Infantry Regiment is a military unit made up of infantry soldiers. Infantry means they are trained to fight on foot. A regiment is a large group of soldiers, usually made of several smaller groups called battalions.
Where are they now?
Right now, only the 1st Battalion of the 120th Infantry Regiment is active. This group is known as the 1/120th IN. Their main office is in Wilmington, North Carolina.
A Brave Stand in World War II
One part of the regiment, the 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment (2/120th IN), became very famous for its actions during World War II. They played a key role in a very important battle.
The Battle of Mortain
From August 7 to August 13, 1944, the 2/120th IN fought bravely in the Battle of Mortain. This battle took place in France. During this time, German forces were trying to push forward. The soldiers of the 2/120th IN stopped this advance. Their actions were very important. They helped the American forces keep moving forward. This allowed the Allied forces to continue their push through northern France. This push happened after the big Normandy invasion.
