World  War  II

After the U.S. engaged in WWII, the 9th Infantry Regiment deployed to the European Theatre of Operations with the 2nd Infantry Division and participated in the Normandy Campaign after the beach landings. It fought in the Battle of St. Lo and was an instrumental part of taking the fortress city of Brest in September 1944. During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the 9th Infantry Regiment distinguished itself with the defense of Elsenborn Ridge from 16-20 December, blocking the German’s northernmost attack. Of note, PFC William A. Soderman of Company K received the Medal of Honor for his actions on 17 December, destroying three German tanks with a bazooka while fighting in the village of Rocherath. After stopping Nazi Germany’s final surge during the Battle of the Bulge, the 9th Infantry broke through the Siegfried Line and ended the war in Czechoslovakia. For its deeds in World War II, the 9th Infantry Regiment earned the Normandy (with arrowhead), Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. The unit was also awarded three Presidential Unit Citations and the Belgian Fourragere 1940 for their valor in the Battle of the Bulge​