107th Infantry Regiment (United States)

107th Infantry Regiment

Coat of arms
Active 1917–93
Country  United States
Allegiance New York
Branch New York Army National Guard
Size Regiment
Motto(s) "Pro Patria et Gloria" (For Country and Glory)
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
U.S. Infantry Regiments
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106th Infantry Regiment 108th Infantry Regiment
Seventh Regiment Armory, Park Avenue, New York City, 1880, architect Charles W. Clinton

The 107th Infantry Regiment was a regiment of the New York Army National Guard. The regiment was formed in 1917 and disestablished in 1993.

The 107th traces its history to the Seventh Regiment of New York (or 7th New York Militia/7th Regiment New York State Militia). Known as the "Silk Stockings" for the high number of New York City's social elite among its ranks,[1] it was established in 1806[2] in response to the invasion of New York Bay by warships of the British Navy, whose commanders claimed the right to detain and search American vessels and impress any British subjects serving on them.[3]

Time-line

Source:[2]

Seventh Regiment Band

In 1852 the 7th Regiment Band was organized. A German musical society of the mid-19th century formed the Seventh Regiment Band consisting of forty-two professional German musicians. It was the only exclusively regimental band of the Civil War-era and one of the most popular brass bands of the time; the band-leader, who went by the name Noll, used brass and reed instruments in duo proportion.

In 1860 Claudio S. Grafulla became the band-leader and reorganized the band. He added woodwinds to the band and continued to serve as its director until his death in 1880. The band gained a high reputation under his leadership. He composed and is best remembered for his march, Washington Greys.[5]

The band was honored in 1922 by John Philip Sousa's The Gallant Seventh march. On 18 April 1923, Sousa conducted the band in playing The Star-Spangled Banner at the opening of Yankee Stadium.[6]

Memorial in Central Park

The 107th Infantry Memorial is dedicated to the men who served in the 107th New York Infantry Regiment, originally Seventh Regiment of New York, during World War I. The memorial depicts seven men; the one to the far right carrying two Mills bombs, while supporting the wounded soldier next to him. To his right another infantryman rushes towards the enemy positions, while the helmet less squad leader and another soldier are approaching the enemy with bayonets fixed. To the far left, one soldier is holding a mortally wounded soldier, keeping him on his feet. The bronze memorial was donated by 7th–107th Memorial Committee, and was designed and sculpted by Karl Illava, who served in the 107th IR as a sergeant in World War I. The monument was first conceived about 1920, was made in 1926–1927 and was placed in the park and unveiled in 1927, near the perimeter wall at Fifth Avenue and 67th Street.

Distinctive unit insignia

Description

A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 14 inches (3.2 cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Per chevron Gules and Gray, a chevron rompu embattled to chief Argent between in chief the cipher "NG" and a lion rampant Or, and in base a bomb flamant of the last charged with the numeral seven Sable; surmounting a blue circular garter inscribed "PRO PATRIA ET GLORIA" in Gold, buckled Gold and folded at the top and surmounted by a Gold flintlock hammer.

Symbolism

The original units of the regiment were artillery and the bursting bomb, the earliest insignia, represents that assignment. The old uniform was cadet gray; the monogram "N.G." was worn on it. For over fifty years the 107th Infantry Regiment was the only organization bearing the distinctive title of "National Guard." This designation was adopted by the United States Government for general use in 1869. The rampant lion commemorates service in Picard, France, during World War I. The embattled and broken chevron is emblematic of the breaking of the Hindenburg Line, in which the 107th Infantry Regiment participated. The motto translates to "For Country and Glory."

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 107th Infantry Regiment on 26 February 1924. It was amended to correct the description on 28 March 1925. It was redesignated for the 207th Coast Artillery Regiment on 24 October 1940. The insignia was redesignated for the 107th Infantry Regiment on 30 March 1951. It was redesignated for the 107th Support Group with the description and symbolism revised effective 1 September 1993.

Coat of arms

Blazon

Symbolism

Background

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 107th Infantry Regiment on 2 August 1923. It was amended to correct the blazon of the shield on 28 March 1925. It was redesignated for the 207th Coast Artillery Regiment on 24 October 1940. The insignia was redesignated for the 107th Infantry Regiment on 30 March 1951. The coat of arms was cancelled on 3 June 1993, when the distinctive unit insignia was redesignated for the 107th Support Group, as the Group was not eligible to inherit the coat of arms.

References

  1. Lukasik, Sebastian Hubert, Military Service, Combat, and American Identity in the Progressive Era, p. 84 "The 7th Regiment of the New York National Guard carried on its muster roles the names of so many scions of New York City's social prominent families that it was commonly known as the "Silk Stocking" or "Blue-Blood" Regiment."
  2. 1 2 "Guide to the Records of the 7th Regiment". The New York Historical Society. 2003. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  3. Clark, Emmons (1890). History of the Seventh Regiment of New York, 1806-1889. Seventh Regiment.
  4. Globalsecurity.org, 107th Support Group, accessed June 2013.
  5. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Hall of Composers
  6. Slayton, Robert A. (2001), Empire Statesman: the rise and redemption of Al Smith, The Free Press, New York (ISBN 0-684-86302-2), pages 229–230

Further reading

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