( Photos: New York State Military Museum)
In these photos from the book “Official Pictures of the World War” National Guard Soldiers of the 42nd Division make their way through the snowy French countryside during December 1917 in what became known as the “Valley Forge Hike”. The troops marched 100 kilometers in the snow from the Vaucouleurs to Rolampont France from 27-29 December.
Missouri National Guard Soldiers of the 117th Field Signal Battalion, 42nd INF
The 42nd Division was activated in August 1917, four months after the American entry into World War I, drawing men from 26 states and the District of Columbia and was dubbed the “Rainbow” division after that fact, at the suggestion of then-Maj. Douglas MacArthur, at the time on the division’s staff.
The “Buckeyes” of Ohio’s 166th Infantry Regiment of the 4nd. They are still in the Ohio National Guard today, though merged with the older (c.1846) 148th Infantry Rgt as part of the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat team today