The 34th Infantry Regiment was first assembled on July 15, 1916 in the Regular Army in El Paso, Texas. Its initial mission included guard duty on the Mexican border and the training of National Guard units. World War I: The 34th was shipped to France on the “AMERICA”, arriving on August 27, 1918. On October 9, 1918, the regiment held the extreme left of the 7th Infantry Division’s flank. The regiment received battle honors “Lorraine” for actions during this period.
Upon return, the 34th Infantry became the first Motorized Infantry Regiment in the U.S. Army. The 34th moved to Ft Jackson, SC on 10 July 1940 and became part of the 8th Division (Triangular), receiving “Outstanding Regiment” honors during the Carolina Maneuvers of 1941.
World War II: Enroute to the Philippines on 7 December 1941, the Regiment was diverted to establish the Hawaiian Island defenses. In June 1943, the Regiment participated in the Hollandia Airdrome seizure as well as the attack on Biak Island.
- Leyte: The 34th Infantry was chosen to spearhead the assault on Leyte, to liberate the Philippines. The unit was in a series of bloody battles for 75 continuous days. 1-34th received the Presidential Unit Citation for conspicuous valor and outstanding performance while holding Kilay Ridge for three weeks behind enemy lines, often times fighting hand-to-hand. Two Medals of Honor, the Nation’s highest recognition of honor, were awarded during this battle. The Battalion’s nickname, “Leyte Dragons”, and the Motto of the Infantry, “Follow Me”, derives its recognition during the Leyte assault.
- Luzon: In January 1945, the 34th Infantry Regiment made its second beachhead assault in the Philippines on the island of Luzon. F Company suffered more than 90 casualties in one day. Days of bitter fighting, with legendary acts of individual heroism, were required to accomplish this mission.
- Corregidor: It was later chosen to assault the island of Corregidor and seize Malinta Hill. Those were the most agonizing days of war experienced with significant cost in lives but the hill was held and the enemy were destroyed and the Battalion was awarded another Presidential Unit Citation.
The 34th then led in the Mindanao campaign and subsequently assigned occupation duty in Japan at the conclusion of WWII.
Korea: On the nights of 7-8 July 1950, the 34th was engaged by the enemy at Chonan. The enemy attacked from the front and at the same time initiated a double envelopment which completely surrounded the town. Bitter hand-to-hand fighting raged through the streets before the regiment fought out of the entrapment and withdrew to the south.
The 34th fought a second major delaying action at Taejon on 19-20 July 1950 while U.N. forces evacuated the city. The 34th Regiment was cited with the U.S and Korean Presidential Unit Citations.
9 Jaunuary 2012
Dear Family and Friends of Soldiers in 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment (1-34th IN):
Your Soldier has arrived safely at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and is assigned to First Battalion 34th Infantry regiment, for Basic Combat Training. 1-34th IN has a long, distinguished history of service dating back to 1916 and enjoys the reputation as one of the best battalions at Fort Jackson.
As you know, Basic Combat Training is not easy. It is a challenging experience that transforms volunteers into trained, disciplined, physically fit and motivated Soldiers who espouse the Seven Army Values, understand the importance of teamwork and who are determined to complete their initial enlistment. For many Soldiers, the ten weeks with 1-34th IN will be the toughest thing they have ever accomplished in their lives. I assure you that our drill sergeants and officers, who are an absolutely first rate team of professional Soldiers, will do their best to assist in this transformation. We’re honored to be your Soldier’s first unit in the Army.
Your Soldier has committed themselves to the Army and we will challenge them to ensure they train to meet the standard. We encourage you to foster their morale with supportive mail and correspondence. If you need to inform your Soldier of an urgent matter, please contact Red Cross and provide Soldiers name, SSN, and Company.
Alpha Company: Captain Osterfeld or First Sergeant Benitez.
Bravo Company: Captain Harris or First Sergeant Thomsen.
Charlie Company: Captain Allsup or First Sergeant Mulready.
Delta Company: Captain Hall or First Sergeant Page.
Echo Company: Captain Scott or First Sergeant Misa.
Foxtrot Company: Captain Robinson or First Sergeant Johnson.
They will ensure your Soldier is contacted. In the event that an emergency arises involving an immediate Family member that requires your Soldier’s presence, contact the American Red Cross at 1-877-272-7337. The Red Cross will contact the battalion and assist the Soldier in returning home on leave. Please make sure you keep this Red Cross number so you have it readily available should the need arise. We cannot help you in any way without Red Cross verification.
During Basic Combat Training, we curtail certain privileges such as the use of phones, receiving food items in the mail and visitation. While in our care, we will provide your Soldier quality meals in dining facilities. Because of this and for health reasons, we do not permit Soldiers to receive, possess, or store food.
If you wish to visit your Soldier, you may do so at Fort Jackson only on Family Day and on Graduation Day. Because of the visitation restrictions, I hope you will take advantage of these two important events in your Soldier’s Basic Combat Training calendar. Family Day for Bco, Cco, Dco, Eco and Fco will take place on Hilton Field at 09:00 AM March 14, 2012 then afterwards, there will be an opportunity for you and your Soldier to spend the day together on the Fort Jackson Installation. Graduation is March 15, 2012 at 09:00 AM, at Hilton Field; afterwards you and your Soldier will have the opportunity to spend the day on or off post. We invite you to visit and enjoy the ceremonies on these two days as your Soldier will likely be shipped to Advanced Individual Training on the morning of March 16, 2012. Occasionally, a Soldier is delayed in graduating due to injury, sickness, or other reasons. It is critical that you verify these dates with your Soldier before making travel arrangements. More information on Family Day and Graduation are posted in the documents attached to the webpage. We will post the latest information on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/134AlwaysForward.
Once again, we are thankful to have your Soldier in our battalion.
Sincerely,
Ronald E. Davis
CSM, USA
Command Sergeant Major
QUINCY E. NORMAN
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Commanding
Lieutenant Colonel Quincy E. Norman
LTC Quincy Norman is a native of Greenwood, S.C. and is a 1990 graduate of Benedict College in Columbia South Carolina where he received his commission through R.O.T.C as an Infantry Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Thermal Physics, and a Masters Of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix .
Lieutenant Colonel Norman’s began his military service by enlisting in the South Carolina National Guard as an Infantryman (11H) in 1986 until graduating from college. His first assignment as a commissioned officer was with 3rd BN, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Cav Div as a Bradley Platoon Leader during Desert Storm. As an Anti-Armor Company Executive Officer, he deployed to Kuwait as part of two Intrinsic Action rotations. Lieutenant Colonel also served as the BN Asst S3, HHC XO and BN S4 in 3rd BN, 41st Infantry Regiment which was reflagged to 1st BN, 9th Calvary Regiment. Following the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he was assigned to the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA where he commanded Dco and Bco in 1st BN from June 1995 – August 1997. After company command, he was assigned to 1st Army as a unit trainer (ACRC) to the 1st BN, 124th (L) Infantry BN, Florida Army National Guard in Miami, FL from August 1997- May 2000. From May of 2000 to May of 2001, Lieutenant Colonel was assigned to 1st BN, 307th IN Regiment (TSB) Fort Jackson, S.C. as a unit trainer (ACRC) and BN S4 in support of the South Carolina and Georgia National Guard. He then served in the 48th Infantry BDE, Georgia Army National Guard as a BDE S3 Ops and Plans Officer in Macon, GA from July 2001 – September 2002. From 2002 – 2005, he served as a C3 Ground Operations Officer, Battle Major and Iraqi Army unit Trainer/Advisor with USARCENT/3rd Army, Fort McPherson, GA. In May of 2005, he was reassigned to Fort Knox, KY to serve as the Ground Maneuver Chief as part of Future Combat Systems (FCS), and later as the BN S3 and XO of 1st BN, 46th Infantry Regiment (BCT), 1ATB. Lieutenant Colonel Norman was later assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea where he served as the BN S3, for 1st BN, 72nd AR (CAB), and the BDE XO, for the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team (1HBCT) from July 07 – August 08. He was then assigned back to USARCENT/3rd Army, Fort McPherson, GA as a Detailed Inspector General where he has deployed to Kuwait, Qatar, and Afghanistan in support of USARCENT’s mission until present.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal, 3rd award; Army Commendation Medal, 3rd award; Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, 3rd award; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal, Liberation of Kuwait Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Parachutist Badge: South Carolina and Georgia Army National Guard service Medal, and the Order of Saint Maurice.
CSM Ronald E. Davis
Command Sergeant Major Ronald E. Davis, a native of Chester, SC, enlisted into the United States Army in June 1983. Attended Basic Combat Training and Advance Individual Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey as a Light Wheel Vehicle Power Generations Mechanic.
Command Sergeant Major Davis has served in a variety of leadership positions as a Team Chief, Squad Leaders, Section Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, BN S-3 Operations NCOIC, First Sergeant, BDE Senior Maintenance Supervisor and currently Battalion Command Sergeant Major.
Command Sergeant Major Davis’s assignments include: 1-3rd Infantry Battalion, Fort Dix, New Jersey; 3-5th Infantry Battalion, Fort Dix, New Jersey; 2-502nd Infantry Battalion, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; 1-80th Field Artillery Battalion, Aschaffenburg, Germany’ 3-12th Field Artillery Battalion, Aschaffenburg, Germany; 5-10th Infantry Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 58th Transportation Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; 725th Main Support Battalion, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 4th Forward Support Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; 317th Maintenance Company, Bamberg, Germany; 1-22nd Infantry Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; 4th Support Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; and 48th Chemical Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. Command Sergeant Major Davis has completed two combat tours in Tirkit and FOB Falcon, Iraq.
Command Sergeant Major Davis’s military education and civilian education includes the Primary Leadership Development course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Advance Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Air Assault School, Drill Sergeant Course, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Battle Staff Course, and the Command Sergeant Major Development Course. Command Sergeant Major Davis is a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 57 and holds an Associate of Science Degree and currently is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior College.
Command Sergeant Major Davis’s awards and decorations include two Bronze star Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals with one V-Device, seven Army Achievement Medals, Armed Superior Unit Award, nine Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with three Oak leaf Clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Driver and Mechanic Badge, and German Marksmanship Medal (Schutzenschnur Silver). Command Sergeant Major Davis is also a member of #662 of The Ordinance Order of Samuel Sharpe.