142nd Infantry Regiment (United States)

The 142nd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the U.S. Army National Guard. 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry carries the regiment's legacy as a unit of the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division.

The 142nd Infantry Regiment was constituted May 5, 1917 as 7th Infantry Regiment, Texas National Guard.
 * Organized May‑July 1917 with Headquarters federally recognized July 29, 1917. Called and drafted into Federal Service August 5, 1917.
 * Consolidated with 1st Oklahoma Infantry Regiment and redesignated 142nd Infantry Regiment. Assigned to 71st Brigade, 36th Division October 15, 1917.
 * Moved overseas July 1918
 * Returned to U.S. June 1919. Demobilized June 17, 1919 at Camp Bowie Texas (36th Division demobilized June 18, 1919 at Camp Bowie; reorganized May 2, 1923 at San Antonio).
 * Reorganized 1921‑1922 as 142nd Infantry Regiment TNG 36th Division with headquarters Federally recognized May 17, 1922.
 * Inducted into Federal Service November 25, 1940 at Fort Worth.
 * Inactivated December 15, 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, VA.
 * Reorganized with headquarters Federally recognized February 26, 1947 at Amarillo.

Blazon
Azure, a fess wavy Gules fimbriated Argent, issuant in chief the shell-torn church steeple at St. Etienne, France, of the third. That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Texas Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure, a mullet Argent encircled by a garland of live oak and olive Proper. Motto "I'll Face You"
 * Shield
 * Crest

Symbolism
The shield is blue for Infantry. The wavy fess symbolizes the Aisne River where the Regiment’s outstanding achievements took place during World War I; it also symbolizes the Red River separating the States of Texas and Oklahoma, from which states were drawn the units composing the 142d Infantry, Texas Army National Guard - the 7th Texas and Machine Gun Company. The church at St. Etienne, France, was in the sector where the Regiment received its baptism of fire. First Lieutenant Donald J. McLennan, D.S.C., scout officer of the 1st Battalion, 142nd Regiment Infantry, led a patrol across the Aisne River into the enemy country on October 8, 1918 and secured information of vast importance to the Regiment. As he returned, under heavy fire, to the south bank of the Aisne River with his patrol, he was the last man to cross and would not cross with his back to the enemy. Instead, he backed across the foot-log, shaking his fist and shouting to the enemy “We’re going back, but I’ll face you.”
 * Shield

The coat of arms was approved on 27 June 1928.