Minute Men, from the Start: Happy 241st Birthday to the U.S. Army!

The following is a guest post by Owen Rogers, Liaison Specialist for the Veterans History Project (VHP).

Today, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project wishes a Happy 241st Birthday to the U.S. Army. First of the five armed service branches, Army traditions span the American War of Independence to the Afghan War, and accordingly, voices from two of its oldest units are featured among the VHP collections.

Lead by Alexander Hamilton, the 1st Battalion of the 5th Field Artillery Regiment, “Hamilton’s Own,” traces its lineage to the 1776 Battle of White Plains. More than 200 years later, Matthew S. Neely deployed to Iraq with the “1st of the 5th.” His transcript and photographs detail his tour of duty while attached to the storied 1st Infantry Division.

Bobby Plyant, who served in the European Theater of Operations during WWII, as well as completed a tour of duty during the Korean War, speaks to his experiences as a pallbearer of 3rd Infantry Regiment, the “Old Guard” of Arlington National Cemetery. Hear his story, in his own words, here.

And the Army Goes Rolling Along!