WWI 56th PIONEER INFANTRY PHOTO OCCUPATION

Framed 38" x 9" captioned "Co. E. 56th Pioneer Infantry Coblenz Germany, March 1919." Depicts the entire company in trench coats and armed with rifles outside a German building during the post-war occupation of Germany. The 56th Armored Infantry Regiment traced its origin back to the 17th Infantry Regiment of Maj. Gen. George Sykes' 2nd Division of the 5th Army Corps, of the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Personnel from the 17th Infantry Regiment formed the 56th Infantry Regiment on 15 May 1917 in the Regular Army under the command of William P. Burnham, and on 16 June it was organized at Fort Oglethorpe. On 16 November 1917, it was assigned to the 7th Division. During the Meuse-Argonne campaign it was on the left bank of the Moselle River, the nearest American military unit to Metz, and was preparing to attack towards Metz when the armistice was signed. In April 1919 a battalion of the 56th entered Metz as an honor guard for the Commanding General of the American Expeditionary Force, John J. Pershing. For its actions during World War I, the regiment was awarded the campaign streamer 'Lorraine 1918" The regiment was deactivated on 21 September 1921 at Camp Meade, Maryland and demobilized on 22 July 1922. The frame and glass appear to be original and in good condition. The photo does not exhibit any creasing or damage, but it is slightly faded with age. Very Good